Dative Case
Dative case — indirect objects and the 'man patīk' construction
Can use dative for indirect objects and express possession/preference with man ir/man patīk
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)!
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