Meaning of lai | Babel Free

Definitions

1. with the conditional, indicating purpose, sometimes cause; sometimes correlating with tāpēc, tādēļ in the main clause; so that, in order to, in order that
2. indicating concession, especially in the combinations lai gan, lai arī; though, although, even though
3. indicating strong concession, in combination with arī, nu, vai and with interrogative pronouns like cik, kāds, kurš, kas, kur; no matter how, which, who, what, where; however, wherever, whichever, whoever, whatever, wherever
4. after certain verbs, introducing a direct object clause; that, for ... to, to
5. indicating manner and/or purpose, usually correlating with an adverb like tā (“like that”) in the main clause; so that, such that, in such a way that
6. indicating consequence, especially with tik (“so (much)”), pārāk (“too much”) and an adjective or participle in the main clause; so that, so ... that, too (much) ... for, to, that

Examples

“lai varētu labāk pārredzēt apkārtni, bija jāuzkāpj tornī”

in order to be able to see the surroundings better, it was necessary to climb the tower

“kad viņa, laimīgi smiedamās, pacēla savu glāzi, lai saskandinātu ar viesiem, es noraudzījos ar klusu skaudību”

when she, laughing happily, lifted her glass, in order to clink glasses with the visitors, I watched with quiet envy

“gājējiem jāraugās, lai dēļa vaļējais gals neiesistu pa pieri”

the passers-by must be careful, so that the free end of the log does not hit them on the forehead

“apģērbam un apaviem jābūt ērtiem, lai tie netraucētu kustības”

clothes and shoes must be comfortable, so that they don't disturb (one's) movement

“kafiju nedrīkst vārīt, lai tā nezaudētu aromātu”

coffee should not be boiled, so that it doesn't lose its aroma

“es mācos tikai tāpēc, lai labāk noderētu lielajā cīņā”

I learn only so that I can serve better in the great fight

“studēt es gribu tikai tādēļ, lai pati vairāk zinātu un lai iegūtās zināšanas varētu atdot citiem”

I want to study only so that I will know more and so that the knowledge gained can be given to others

“lai cīņas būs grūtas, mēs uzvarēsim”

though the fight will be difficult, we will win

“un, lai ļaudis sacījuši ko sacīdami, jaunā sieva katru sliktu vārdu atvairījusi”

and, although the people said what(ever) they wanted, the young wife deflected every bad word

“pēc teātra Vilis Virpuls palika uz deju, lai gan nekad nedejoja”

after the theater Vilis Virpuls stayed at the dance, even though he never danced

“viņš atbrauca ātri, lai gan ceļš bija slikts”

he came quickly, although the road was bad

“lai arī dārzs ir mazliet nolaists, tas tomēr ir skaists”

although the garden is a little neglected, it still is beautiful

“viņa bija viņam iedvesusi ticību, ka viņš skatīs sauli, lai arī cik grūti būtu pašreiz”

she had inspired in him the belief that he would look at the sun, no matter how difficult this would be now

“mēs visi būsim kopā, lai kā mums kuram ies”

we will all be together, no matter how it goes for us

“lai vai kā, es tomēr runāšu”

no matter how (= whatever happens), I will still speak

“lai kur kāds runā, viņš tūdaļ pretī ar savu”

wherever someone speaks, he immediately (goes) against him with his (words, opinions)

“lai nu tālu, tomēr kādos svētkos raudzīšu attikt”

however far (it may be), I will still try to be at the celebration

“zīlītes vairs negaidīja, lai Ilzīte viņas baro”

the titmice no longer waited for Ilzīte to feed them

“nē, viņa lūdza, lai es apturu mašīnu”

no, she asked that I stop the car

“vai nevajadzētu paziņot, lai atbrauc viņa piederīgie?”

couldn't (you) have informed (us) that his people would come back?

“bērnu stomatoloģiskajā poliklīnikā galvenokārt rūpējas par to, lai zobi tiktu savlaicīgi salaboti”

in the children's dental clinic, one cares primarily that the (children's) teeth will be repaired in time

“runā, lai var ko saprast”

speak so that (= in such a way that) one can understand something

“lampu novietu tā, lai gaisma krīt no augšas un kreisās puses”

the lamp (is) placed in such a way that the light falls from the top and (from) the left side

“tu centies to pateikt saudzīgi, tā, lai mani nesāpinātu”

you try to say it gently, in such a way that it won't hurt me

“pie debesīm stāvēja pusmēness, izplatīdams pietiekošu krēslu, lai celiņu uz riju varētu redzēt”

on the sky (there) was a half moon, spreading enough light (literally, “dawn”), so that one could see the little path to the barn

“aitas bijušas tik vājas, lai vējš apgāztu”

the sheep were so weak that the wind (would) turn them over

“zemnieki bija pārāk iebaidīti, lai nakts laikā rādītos ārpus mājām”

the peasants were too intimidated to show themselves outside during the night

“nebija vēl noadīti tik biezi cimdi, lai tagad, laukā braucot, nesaltu rokas”

(one) had not yet knit such thick gloves that, going out now, (one's) hands wouldn't freeze

CEFR level