Ways to say it
| Latvian | IPA |
|---|---|
| skaists | [skāīsts] (narrow) |
| daiļš | [dāīʎʃ] (narrow) |
The primary way to express that something is attractive is by using skaists. This is the most common term for people, objects or abstract concepts like a name. For a more colloquial way to say something is 'cool' or 'beautiful', you might hear the word foršs. Additionally, you can use the affectionate terms skaistiņš or skaistule to address a loved one as 'cutie'.
Which one should you use?
Skaists is the most common way to say 'beautiful' or 'pretty' for people, objects or abstract concepts like names. In contrast, daiļš is a more poetic or literary term for 'beautiful'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must change its ending to match the noun it describes. Use skaista for feminine nouns and skaisti for plural nouns. If the beautiful object is the direct object of a sentence, such as 'I see a beautiful flower', use the form skaistu.
Did you know?
- The word daiļš is a distant relative of the Sanskrit word didyati, which means 'to shine' or 'to glitter'.
Examples in context
- Tas ir skaists vārds.That's a beautiful name.This sentence shows how to use skaists to describe a name.Tatoeba #11481267 by GemMonkey, translation #2045759 by CK
- Tev ir skaists vārds.You have a beautiful name.This sentence demonstrates the use of skaists when telling someone they have a beautiful name.Tatoeba #11481275 by GemMonkey, translation #1431880 by azjani
- Šis zieds ir ļoti skaists.This flower is very beautiful.This sentence illustrates how to use skaists to describe a flower.Tatoeba #4897963 by RaivisSkadins, translation #60054 by CK
- Viņa ir skaistaShe is beautiful
- Dzīvoklis ir skaistsThe apartment is beautiful
- Valdzinošs skatsEnchanting view
- Valdzinoša sievieteEnchanting woman
- Skaistule, tu esi burvīgaDarling, you are enchanting
- Viņa valkā skaistu kleitu.She is wearing a beautiful dress.
- Dzīvoklis atrodas skaistā vietā.The apartment is located in a beautiful place.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Artūrs and Kristīne are walking in a park.
- ArtūrsŠis skats ir ļoti skaists.This view is very beautiful.
- KristīneJā, tas ir skaists.Yes, it is beautiful.
- ArtūrsTu esi skaista šodien.You are beautiful today.
- KristīnePaldies, tu esi ļoti laipns.Thank you, you are very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beautiful” translations and entries skaists, daiļš, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries daiļš, skaists, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
