Demonstrative pronouns in Latvian grammar play a crucial role in referring to specific objects, people, or circumstances that have presumably been previously mentioned or are common knowledge. Key demonstrative pronouns in Latvian include ‘šis’ (this), ‘tas’ (that) among others. They are used to show distance, differentiate items, and represent both singular and plural forms. They agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they represent.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct demonstrative pronouns
1. (this, masculine) krēsls ir ērts. *Šis* (This)
2. (that, masculine) zēns ir mana klases biedrs. *Tas* (That)
3. (this, feminine) grāmata ir interesanta. *Šī* (This)
4. (that, feminine) sieviete ir mana māte. *Tā* (That)
5. (this, neutral) ir mans mājdzīvnieks. *Šis* (This)
6. (those, masculine) vīrieši ir mani draugi. *Tie* (Those)
7. (these, feminine) mājas ir jaunas. *Šīs* (These)
8. (these, masculine) zēni ir mani draugi. *Šie* (These)
9. (those, neutral) ir manas rokas. *Tās* (Those)
10. (this, masculine) ir mans draugs. *Šis* (This)
2. (that, masculine) zēns ir mana klases biedrs. *Tas* (That)
3. (this, feminine) grāmata ir interesanta. *Šī* (This)
4. (that, feminine) sieviete ir mana māte. *Tā* (That)
5. (this, neutral) ir mans mājdzīvnieks. *Šis* (This)
6. (those, masculine) vīrieši ir mani draugi. *Tie* (Those)
7. (these, feminine) mājas ir jaunas. *Šīs* (These)
8. (these, masculine) zēni ir mani draugi. *Šie* (These)
9. (those, neutral) ir manas rokas. *Tās* (Those)
10. (this, masculine) ir mans draugs. *Šis* (This)
Exercise 2: Choose the specific demonstrative pronoun to complete the sentence
1. (this, masculine) suns ir mazs. *Šis* (This)
2. (that, masculine) galds ir garš. *Tas* (That)
3. (this, feminine) sieviete ir skaista. *Šī* (This)
4. (that, feminine) meitene ir jauka. *Tā* (That)
5. (this, neutral) ir mans auto. *Šis* (This)
6. (those, masculine) ir mani bērni. *Tie* (Those)
7.(these, feminine) kafijas krūzes ir manas. *Šīs* (These)
8. (these, masculine) ziedi ir skaisti. *Šie* (These)
9. (those, neutral) ir mani acs brilles. *Tās* (Those)
10. (this, masculine) ir mans suns. *Šis* (This)
2. (that, masculine) galds ir garš. *Tas* (That)
3. (this, feminine) sieviete ir skaista. *Šī* (This)
4. (that, feminine) meitene ir jauka. *Tā* (That)
5. (this, neutral) ir mans auto. *Šis* (This)
6. (those, masculine) ir mani bērni. *Tie* (Those)
7.(these, feminine) kafijas krūzes ir manas. *Šīs* (These)
8. (these, masculine) ziedi ir skaisti. *Šie* (These)
9. (those, neutral) ir mani acs brilles. *Tās* (Those)
10. (this, masculine) ir mans suns. *Šis* (This)
