Latvian, like any other language, comes with its own beautiful repertoire of vocabulary to describe the natural world. As Latvia is a country rich in flora and fauna, learning these terms can greatly enhance your understanding and appreciation of Latvian culture and landscapes.

Daba – Nature
This word embodies the concept of nature in its entirety – the plants, animals, and landscapes that are not manmade.
Vakar pastaigājoties izbaudīju skaisto Latvijas dabu.

Vide – Environment
‘Vide’ refers to the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.
Ir svarīgi rūpēties par mūsu vidi un ekosistēmu aizsardzību.

Mežs – Forest
Forests are a significant part of Latvia’s natural heritage, and the word ‘mežs’ captures the essence of these woodland areas.
Latvijā ir daudz skaistu mežu, kur var sastapt retus augus un dzīvniekus.

Upe – River
‘Upe’ is the Latvian word for a river, an important water body that sustains ecosystems and shapes landscapes.
Gauja ir garākā upe Latvijā.

Ezers – Lake
A term for those tranquil bodies of freshwater, ‘ezers’ is what Latvians call a lake.
Šovasar atpūtīšos pie kāda klusa ezera.

Jūra – Sea
Latvia, being bordered by the Baltic Sea, makes ‘jūra’ a rather significant term for the sea.
Vasarā daudzi dodas pie jūras, lai peldētos un sauļotos.

Koks – Tree
A single tree is known as ‘koks’ in Latvian, a vital component of the forests and the environment.
Katra koks ir svarīgs mūsu planetas nākotnei.

Zieds – Flower
The colorful and often fragrant reproductive structure of a plant is called ‘zieds’.
Pavasarī dārzā plaukst ziedi.

Putns – Bird
Any of the various warm-blooded, egg-laying, feathered vertebrates are collectively known in Latvian as ‘putns’.
Agrā rītā var dzirdēt, kā ābeļdārzā dzied putni.

Zivs – Fish
The Latvian word for fish, ‘zivs’, refers to the cold-blooded aquatic dwellers that are a staple in many local diets.
Dažas zivis Latvijā var noķert tikai noteiktā gada laikā.

Zeme – Earth, Soil
‘Zeme’ can mean earth as in our planet or soil as in the ground.
Smiltsērkšķi labi aug Latvijas smilšainajā zemē.

Augs – Plant
A general term for any member of the plant kingdom, ‘augs’ stands for a plant in Latvian.
Mājas augs pie loga rada omulīgu sajūtu.

Laiks – Weather
While discussing daily activities or planning trips in Latvia, ‘laiks’ or weather will often come up in conversation.
Latvijā laiks var mainīties ļoti strauji.

Incorporating these terms into your Latvian vocabulary will not only improve your language skills but also help you engage more deeply with the country’s lovely landscapes and nature scenes. Latvia’s natural beauty is a big part of its charm, and being able to discuss it with locals will greatly enhance your experiences there.