paldies

lv
en
Change language
Translating...
thank you, thanks, thanks, gratitude, thank-you
Find language
Čeština
Czech
Deutsch
German
Español
Spanish
Magyar
Hungarian
Latviešu
Latvian
/palˈdiɛs/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
The ordinary Latvian way to say thanks, also used as a noun-like word for the thanks someone gives, expects, or receives.
Practice using this word in conversation

Examples

  • Paldies par palīdzību.
    Thank you for the help.
  • Vēstule sākās ar sirsnīgu paldies komandai.
    The letter began with a heartfelt thanks to the team.
  • Liels paldies par ātro atbildi.
    Many thanks for the quick reply.
  • Paldies, ka atnācāt tik laicīgi.
    Thank you for coming so promptly.
  • Viņš gaidīja kaut vai mazu paldies.
    He expected at least a small thank you.

Similar words

sirsnīgs paldies
liels paldies
pateicos
atzinība
pateicība
milzīgs paldies
paldies vārdi

Meanings

Thanking someone

interjection
everyday
neutral
A direct expression of thanks, used after help, a gift, an answer, or any small courtesy.

Usage

Use paldies as the normal Latvian way to say thanks, with liels paldies or paldies jums when the thanks should sound warmer or more formal.

Examples

  • Paldies par palīdzību.
    Thank you for the help.
  • Liels paldies par ātro atbildi.
    Many thanks for the quick reply.
  • Paldies, man kafiju nevajadzēs.
    Thank you, I will not need coffee.
  • Paldies jums par pacietību.
    Thank you for your patience.
  • Paldies, ka atnācāt tik laicīgi.
    Thank you for coming so promptly.

Common mistakes

Lūdzu is used where paldies is needed, or the word is forced into a verb pattern.
IncorrectCorrect
Lūdzu par palīdzību. Paldies par palīdzību.
Es paldies tev. Es pateicos tev.
Paldies jums palīdzību. Paldies jums par palīdzību.

Similar words

pateicos
liels paldies
sirsnīgs paldies
milzīgs paldies

Words of thanks

noun
everyday
neutral
A spoken or written thanks, treated as the thing someone gives, says, expects, or receives.

Usage

Use paldies in this noun-like sense with verbs such as pateikt, sacīt, or teikt, and in set phrases about thanks as a kind of reward.

Examples

  • Viņa beigās pateica vienkāršu paldies.
    In the end she said a simple thanks.
  • Par šo darbu nevar samaksāt tikai ar paldies.
    This work cannot be paid for with thanks alone.
  • Viņš gaidīja kaut vai mazu paldies.
    He expected at least a small thank you.
  • Vēstule sākās ar sirsnīgu paldies komandai.
    The letter began with a heartfelt thanks to the team.
  • Par pliku paldies viņš vairs nestrādās.
    He will no longer work for a bare thank you.

Common mistakes

A case ending is added to paldies, or pateikt paldies is replaced by an unnatural verb-noun pattern.
IncorrectCorrect
Viņa pateica paldiesu. Viņa pateica paldies.
Viņš izteica paldies. Viņš pateica paldies.
Par tukšu pateicību viņš nestrādās. Par pliku paldies viņš nestrādās.

Similar words

pateicība
paldies vārdi
atzinība

Usage

Use paldies for everyday thanks, and add words like liels, sirsnīgs, or jums when the situation calls for stronger or more formal gratitude.

Common mistakes

Lūdzu is sometimes used for thanking, although it normally means please or you are welcome, while paldies itself does not take case endings.

Etymology

From Latvian palīdz Dievs, literally “may God help”, shortened into a fixed expression of thanks.

FAQ

What does paldies mean?

paldies means “thank you” or “thanks” in Latvian, and it can also refer to a spoken or written thanks.

Is paldies an interjection or a noun?

paldies is mainly an interjection, but Latvian also uses it noun-like in phrases such as pateikt paldies and par pliku paldies.

How is paldies pronounced?

paldies is pronounced /palˈdiɛs/, with the main stress on the second part of the word.

When should paldies be used?

Use paldies after help, a gift, information, service, or any polite favor. Paldies jums is a more formal way to address someone respectfully.

What is the difference between paldies and lūdzu?

paldies gives thanks, while lūdzu means “please” or “you are welcome”.

What does liels paldies mean?

liels paldies means “many thanks” or “thank you very much”.

What does par pliku paldies mean?

par pliku paldies means doing something for nothing more than thanks, with no real payment or reward.

Comments & contributions

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Posting as a guest · Sign in
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.
Look up word or phrase...