Paldies means “thank you”. It is one of the first Latvian words you will learn, and quite possibly the most useful one.
How to say it
Say it like this: pahl-DEE-es [palˈdiɛs]. The “ie” glides from “ee” to “e” in one breath, so DEE-es is really a single syllable, and that is where the stress goes.
One small warning: don’t say the first part like the English word “pal”. If that “a” drifts towards an “e”, you get peldies [ˈpɛldiɛs], which means “go for a swim”. It’s a friendly suggestion, but probably not what you wanted to tell the woman at the bakery counter. In November, it’s quite an invitation.
Why the stress is on the second syllable
In Latvian words, the stress almost always falls on the first syllable. Paldies is one of the exceptions. Some words formed when two words fused into one keep the stress on the second part, like the greetings labdien (good day) and labvakar (good evening).
Paldies fused so long ago that it is hard to tell which two words it came from. One explanation is palīdz Dievs, “may God help”. If so, the stress simply stayed where it was, on Dievs.
Five ways to use it
- Paldies. Thank you. Any time, for anything.
- Liels paldies. Thank you very much, literally “a big thank you”.
- Paldies, nē. No, thank you. Polite, and final.
- Paldies, labi. Fine, thanks. The usual answer to “Kā iet?” (How are you?), and a small nod to our last word, labi.
- Lūdzu. Not paldies itself, but what you will hear back: you’re welcome. It also means “please” and “here you are”.
You will hear paldies in shops, on buses and at the end of every meal. Even if it is the only Latvian word you know, say it. A paldies works like a golden key to people’s hearts, and with the stress in the right place, it opens them even wider.
