Riga language guide: useful Latvian phrases and tips

The language situation in Riga: honest picture

Riga is a thoroughly bilingual city. Latvian is the official state language and the language of government, education, and public life. Russian is spoken as a first language by a significant portion of the population — historically around 40% in Riga, though this has shifted with post-2022 emigration. English functions as the default language of tourism and international business.

For a visitor, this creates a comfortable situation: you can navigate Riga entirely in English in tourist zones. But the city rewards a small language investment in Latvian. A few words — particularly greetings and “paldies” (thank you) — signals genuine respect for local culture and typically produces a warmer, more interested response from Latvians, who are proud of their language and its ancient roots.

A note on Russian: the political situation has made some Latvians uncomfortable with unsolicited Russian from tourists. If you speak Russian, it is fine to use it when needed (e.g., at the Central Market), but defaulting to English or attempting Latvian is generally the more tactful approach.

Essential Latvian phrases for tourists

Greetings and basic courtesies

Numbers

Ordering food and drink

Getting around

Latvian pronunciation: the key rules

Latvian pronunciation is actually quite consistent — once you learn the rules, almost every word is pronounced as written. No silent letters, no spelling-pronunciation disconnects of the English variety.

Vowels with macrons (ā, ē, ī, ū) are simply lengthened versions of their short counterparts. Think of them as the difference between “hat” and “haaat.” Hold them slightly longer.

The letter ģ sounds like a soft g, almost dj — similar to the j in “jeans” but shorter.

The letter ķ sounds like a soft k, almost tch — like the end of “each.”

The letter ļ is a soft l, like the lli in “million.”

The letter ņ is a soft n, like the gn in “cognac.”

The letters š, ž, č are straightforward: sh, zh (like the s in “measure”), and ch (as in “church”).

Stress is almost always on the first syllable in Latvian. This makes it easier than many languages — when in doubt, stress the start.

The city name: the correct Latvian is Rīga (with a long ī, roughly “Ree-gah”). Locals say it with a light, clean “r” at the start — not the rolled r of Spanish or Russian. The German and English “Riga” (short i) is understandable but not how locals say it.

Latvian to know when visiting specific places

At the Central Market (Centrāltirgus): vendors may quote prices in Latvian. Numbers are the most useful things to know. “Cik maksā?” (tsik MAK-sah) means “How much does it cost?” A pointed finger and a smile works universally too.

On public transport: stop names are announced in Latvian and often English. The destination board on buses and trams shows the route number and terminus. For Pasažieru Vilciens trains to Jūrmala and Sigulda, destination signs are in Latvian — see our public transport guide for route guidance.

At churches and museums: admission staff usually speak English. Old Town’s major attractions — the House of the Blackheads, Riga Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church — all have English materials.

In local cafés outside tourist zones: a smile and “kafiju, lūdzu” with gestures goes a long way. Most younger staff will switch to English if prompted.

Latvian cultural context worth knowing

Latvian is ancient and precious to its speakers. It is one of only two surviving Baltic languages (along with Lithuanian) — a branch of Indo-European that predates many Slavic languages in its structure. Latvians are generally proud of their language, which survived Soviet Russification policies, and efforts to speak even a few words are genuinely appreciated.

Language politics are real. Post-Soviet Latvia has navigated significant tension between Latvian-speaking and Russian-speaking communities. Since 2022 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, public sentiment has shifted further toward Latvian as the expected language in public life. As a tourist, you are not expected to take sides, but being aware of this context helps you avoid inadvertently awkward situations.

Names and places with diacritics: throughout this site, we use correct Latvian diacritics — Vecrīga (not Vecriga), Jūrmala (not Jurmala), Cēsis (not Cesis). This reflects respect for the language; you will see these spellings on signs throughout the country.

Language apps and tools that help

Google Translate camera mode works well for Latvian menus and signs. Download the Latvian language pack offline before your trip — mobile data is not always fast in older buildings.

Duolingo has a Latvian course, though it is not extensive. If you want to learn more than tourist basics, Memrise or dedicated Baltic language apps go deeper.

Phrasebook cards: printing a wallet-sized card with 20 key Latvian phrases is old-fashioned but genuinely useful in situations where phone battery fails or connectivity is poor.

When English fails: practical backup strategies

In rare cases — taxi drivers of a certain generation, very traditional cafés, rural areas outside Riga — English may not work. In these situations, in order of general effectiveness:

1. Google Translate camera mode (point at menu, sign, etc.)
2. Google Translate voice (speak English, shows Latvian text)
3. Pointing at map or written address on your phone
4. Russian (if you speak it — but read the etiquette notes above)
5. German (spoken by some older Latvians and those with business connections to Germany)

For exploring the Old Town, consider joining a guided walk where the English-speaking guide handles all logistics. Our recommended guided Old Town walking tour includes all commentary in English and naturally handles any local communication. The classical Old Town tour is another strong English-language option for your first day.

If you want to go deeper into Latvian culture through food — where language gaps are most likely to arise — the Central Market food tour includes a guide who handles all market communication and gives you the cultural context of what you are eating.

Frequently asked questions about language in Riga

Is Latvian similar to Lithuanian?

Yes, they are closely related Baltic languages. They are not mutually intelligible for casual conversation but share a significant amount of vocabulary and grammatical structure. Learning one helps with the other. Both are unrelated to Estonian, which is a Finno-Ugric language.

Do I need to speak any Latvian at all?

No, but knowing “paldies” (thank you) and “sveiki” (hello) will noticeably improve interactions. Latvians are reserved by nature but respond warmly to genuine effort.

Can I get by with just English?

Yes, easily — in all tourist-facing contexts, most restaurants, hotels, and transport. The rare exception is older local vendors at Central Market or very traditional neighbourhood cafés.

Why does “Riga” have a long ī in Latvian?

The long ī (producing “Ree-gah”) reflects the original Latvian pronunciation. The word likely derives from either the River Rīdzene or a Livonian word for “river bend.” The English form “Riga” (short i) is a German-influenced transliteration that has become standard internationally.

Are there street signs in English in Riga?

Major Old Town streets have bilingual signs (Latvian + transliteration). Subway and main bus stops are announced in both Latvian and English on modern vehicles. Navigation apps (Google Maps, Citymapper) display Latvian street names — knowing how to read the Latin-alphabet diacritics helps.

Is it rude to speak English to a Latvian?

Not at all. English is neutral and widely expected in tourist contexts. What Latvians occasionally find jarring is when tourists immediately assume Russian — which has political overtones. English as default is completely fine.