Learning a new language can be a thrilling and rewarding experience. One of the first sets of vocabulary that language learners often encounter are words describing temperatures. In Latvian, two fundamental words that every learner should know are karsts (hot) and auksts (cold). These words are essential not only for everyday conversations but also for understanding the culture and climate of Latvia. This article will delve into the usage, variations, and nuances of these words, providing you with comprehensive knowledge to master these essential Latvian terms.

Karsts – Hot

Karsts is the Latvian word for “hot”. It is used to describe high temperatures, whether referring to the weather, food, or objects. Mastering the word karsts will help you express yourself in various contexts where heat is involved.

Karsts – hot
Ārā ir ļoti karsts.
It is very hot outside.

Karstums – heat
Es nejūtos labi šajā karstumā.
I don’t feel well in this heat.

Karstais ūdens – hot water
Es vēlos tasi tējas ar karsto ūdeni.
I would like a cup of tea with hot water.

Karsta diena – hot day
Šodien ir ļoti karsta diena.
Today is a very hot day.

Karstais ēdiens – hot food
Man garšo karstais ēdiens.
I like hot food.

Karstais dzēriens – hot drink
Ziemā es bieži dzeru karstos dzērienus.
In winter, I often drink hot drinks.

Uzkarsēt – to heat up
Lūdzu, uzkarsē zupu.
Please, heat up the soup.

Karstums vilnis – heatwave
Jūlijā bieži ir karstuma vilnis.
In July, there is often a heatwave.

Karsts klimats – hot climate
Šī valsts ir slavena ar savu karsto klimatu.
This country is famous for its hot climate.

Auksts – Cold

On the other end of the temperature spectrum, we have auksts, which means “cold”. This word is equally essential and is used to describe low temperatures in various contexts.

Auksts – cold
Ūdens ezerā ir auksts.
The water in the lake is cold.

Aukstums – coldness
Es nevaru izturēt šo aukstumu.
I can’t stand this coldness.

Aukstais ūdens – cold water
Vasara es mīlu peldēties aukstā ūdenī.
In summer, I love swimming in cold water.

Auksta diena – cold day
Ziemā bieži ir aukstas dienas.
In winter, there are often cold days.

Aukstais ēdiens – cold food
Man negaršo aukstais ēdiens.
I don’t like cold food.

Aukstais dzēriens – cold drink
Vasarā es dzeru aukstos dzērienus.
In summer, I drink cold drinks.

Aukstuma vilnis – cold wave
Janvārī bieži ir aukstuma vilnis.
In January, there is often a cold wave.

Auksts klimats – cold climate
Šī valsts ir slavena ar savu auksto klimatu.
This country is famous for its cold climate.

Aukstēt – to cool
Lūdzu, aukstē šo dzērienu.
Please, cool this drink.

Comparing Karsts and Auksts

Understanding how to use karsts and auksts is crucial for effective communication in Latvian. Here are some comparative sentences to help you see the differences and similarities in their usage:

Karsts – hot
Šodien ir karsts, bet vakar bija auksts.
Today it is hot, but yesterday it was cold.

Auksts – cold
Man patīk karstais klimats vairāk nekā aukstais.
I like the hot climate more than the cold one.

Karstais ēdiens – hot food
Es dodu priekšroku karstajam ēdienam, nevis aukstajam ēdienam.
I prefer hot food over cold food.

Aukstais dzēriens – cold drink
Karstā dienā man patīk aukstais dzēriens.
On a hot day, I like a cold drink.

Karsts klimats – hot climate
Latvijā ir auksts klimats, bet Spānijā ir karsts klimats.
Latvia has a cold climate, but Spain has a hot climate.

Aukstuma vilnis – cold wave
Pēc karstuma vilnis bieži seko aukstuma vilnis.
A cold wave often follows a heatwave.

Karstums – heat
Es nevaru izturēt karstumu vai aukstumu.
I can’t stand the heat or the cold.

Expressions and Idioms

Latvian, like any other language, has expressions and idioms related to temperatures. Here are a few that include the words karsts and auksts:

Karsts kartupelis – hot potato
Šī tēma ir kā karsts kartupelis.
This topic is like a hot potato.

Aukstasinīgs – cold-blooded
Viņš ir aukstasinīgs cilvēks.
He is a cold-blooded person.

Karstgalvis – hothead
Viņš ir īsts karstgalvis.
He is a real hothead.

Auksts prāts – cold mind
Viņam ir auksts prāts.
He has a cold mind.

Karsta sirds – warm heart
Viņai ir karsta sirds.
She has a warm heart.

Auksta duša – cold shower (disappointment)
Ziņas bija kā auksta duša.
The news was like a cold shower.

Usage in Conversations

To help you get a better grasp of these words in real-life conversations, here are some dialogue examples:

Karsts – hot
A: Kāds ir laiks šodien? B: Ārā ir ļoti karsts.
A: How is the weather today? B: It is very hot outside.

Auksts – cold
A: Vai ūdens ir silts? B: Nē, tas ir ļoti auksts.
A: Is the water warm? B: No, it is very cold.

Karstais ēdiens – hot food
A: Ko tu vēlies ēst? B: Es gribu karsto ēdienu.
A: What do you want to eat? B: I want hot food.

Aukstais dzēriens – cold drink
A: Vai tu vēlies tēju? B: Nē, es gribu aukstu dzērienu.
A: Do you want tea? B: No, I want a cold drink.

Karsts klimats – hot climate
A: Vai tu esi bijis Āfrikā? B: Jā, tur ir ļoti karsts klimats.
A: Have you been to Africa? B: Yes, it has a very hot climate.

Auksts klimats – cold climate
A: Vai tu esi bijis Sibīrijā? B: Nē, bet es zinu, ka tur ir auksts klimats.
A: Have you been to Siberia? B: No, but I know it has a cold climate.

Conclusion

Learning the words karsts and auksts in Latvian is an essential step for any language learner. These words are used in a variety of contexts and are fundamental to everyday conversations. By understanding their meanings, variations, and usage, you will be well-equipped to describe temperatures and discuss weather, food, and other topics related to heat and cold. Remember to practice these words in different sentences and conversations to reinforce your learning. Happy learning!