What are common mistakes with Datīvs?

The 'man ir' (I have) and 'man patīk' (I like) constructions are counterintuitive for learners used to nominative subjects. 🇬🇧 English speakers: 'I have' = 'man ir' (to-me is) is very alien. English always uses nominative subjects. 🇷🇺 Russian speakers: Excellent transfer — Russian 'мне нравится', 'у меня есть' work identically to Latvian 'man patīk', 'man ir'. 🇨🇿 Czech speakers: Good transfer — Czech 'mně se líbí', 'mám' are similar dative constructions. 🇩🇪 German speakers: German 'mir gefällt' parallels 'man patīk'. But 'ich habe' vs 'man ir' is different.

Datīvs

A1 — Lietvārdi

Dative case — indirect objects and the 'man patīk' construction

Can use dative for indirect objects and express possession/preference with man ir/man patīk

Examples

Man patīk mūzika. — I like music.
Man ir divi kaķi. — I have two cats.
Es dodu grāmatu draugam. — I give a book to a friend.

LietvārdiA1

Dative Case

Dative case — indirect objects and the 'man patīk' construction

Learning Goal

Can use dative for indirect objects and express possession/preference with man ir/man patīk

Exam Skills:VISC-A1

Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?

Man patīk mūzika.

I like music.

Man ir divi kaķi.

I have two cats.

Es dodu grāmatu draugam.

I give a book to a friend.

Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?

Datīvs ir trešais locījums. To lieto netiešajam papildinātājam un īpašās konstrukcijās.

Jautājumi: Kam? (to whom?)

Deklinācija	Nom. → Dat. (vsk.)	Piemērs
1. (-s vīr.)	-s → -am	draugs → draugam
2. (-is vīr.)	-is → -im	brālis → brālim
4. (-a siev.)	-a → -ai	māsa → māsai
5. (-e siev.)	-e → -ei	māte → mātei

Īpašas konstrukcijas ar datīvu:

Man patīk kafija. — I like coffee (lit. To-me pleases coffee)
Man ir grāmata. — I have a book (lit. To-me is a book)
Man ir auksti. — I am cold (lit. To-me is cold)

Svarīgi: Latviešu valodā nav darbības vārda «have» — piederību izsaka ar man ir (datīvs + ir)!

Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises

Practice Exercises

The 'man ir' (I have) and 'man patīk' (I like) constructions are counterintuitive for learners used to nominative subjects. 🇬🇧 English speakers: 'I have' = 'man ir' (to-me is) is very alien. English always uses nominative subjects.

Man patīk mūzika.

I like music.

Man = dative of es. Patīk = pleases. 'To-me pleases music.'

Man ir divi kaķi.

I have two cats.

Man ir = I have. No 'have' verb — use dative + ir.

Es dodu grāmatu draugam.

I give a book to a friend.

Draugam = dative of draugs. Indirect object: to whom.

Practice in course

Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises

A1 Course

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Put it into practice

Try a free exercise from the course

Frequently asked questions

When is Datīvs used?: Datīvs ir trešais locījums. To lieto netiešajam papildinātājam un īpašās konstrukcijās.
How is Datīvs formed?: Svarīgi: Latviešu valodā nav darbības vārda «have» — piederību izsaka ar man ir (datīvs + ir)!
What are common mistakes with Datīvs?: The 'man ir' (I have) and 'man patīk' (I like) constructions are counterintuitive for learners used to nominative subjects. 🇬🇧 English speakers: 'I have' = 'man ir' (to-me is) is very alien. English always uses nominative subjects. 🇷🇺 Russian speakers: Excellent transfer — Russian 'мне нравится', 'у меня есть' work identically to Latvian 'man patīk', 'man ir'. 🇨🇿 Czech speakers: Good transfer — Czech 'mně se líbí', 'mám' are similar dative constructions. 🇩🇪 German speakers: German 'mir gefällt' parallels 'man patīk'. But 'ich habe' vs 'man ir' is different.