jautrs

Latvian

Etymology

From a parallel o-stem form of an adjective *jautrus, derived from the verb jaust (“to sense, to guess”) (see just (“to feel”)). The meaning evolution was probably “which feels, perceives” > “which feels, perceives with humor” > “which expresses humor, merriment.” From the original meaning, also “which feels, which is awake, not asleep,” whence jautrs miegs “light sleep”; also from the original meaning, “ingenious, quick-witted,” as in jautra galva “ingenious head.” Cognates include Latvian jautrùs (“irritable, sensitive, alert, watchful”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key):

Adjective

jautrs (definite jautrais, comparative jautrāks, superlative visjautrākais, adverb jautri)

1. cheerful, merry, happy (characterized by joyful emotions)

   Ina ir jautra meitene, viņai patīk smieties, jokoties ― Ina is a cheerful girl, she likes to laugh, to joke

   viņš bija pazīstams ka omulīgs, jautrs cilvēks ― he was known as a cheerful, happy man

2. cheerful, merry, happy (expressing joyful emotions)

   jautri smiekli ― cheerful laughs

   jautras balsis ― cheerful voices

   mātes acis sastapās ar meitas jautrajām, draiskajām acīm ― the mother's eyes met with the daughter's cheerful, playful eyes

3. (of animals, their behavior) quick moving, playful, difficult to control; expressing such features

   jautrs kucēns, kaķēns ― playful puppy, kitten

   tas bija lāga runcis, jautrs un pacietīgs ― it was a good tomcat, playful and patient

   ap viņu putni saskrien jautrā čalā ― the birds were running around him in playful chatter

4. (figuratively, of water, air flow) fast, turbulent

   virtuves logs uzpūta jautru caurvēja strāvu ― the kitchen window let in a fast draft (lit. draft, wind stream)

   Pār Havannu savilcies pērkona negaisa mākonis, un lietus šļāc jautrām strūklām ― over Havanna the thunderstorm clouds gathered, and the rain poured in fast, turbulent gushes

5. funny, amusing, hilarious (relating to jokes and laughter)

   jautrs brauciens, piedzīvojums ― funny, hilarious trip, adventure

   vakars izvērtās skaļš un jautrs; nevienam nebija garlaicīgi ― the evening became loud and funny; nobody was bored

6. joyful, exuberant (creating a happy, joyful mood)

   jautrs maršs ― joyful march

   spidēja saule... baltais sniegs vizuļoja tik žilbinoši jautrs, ka gribējās ticēt: pasaulē ir arī laime, ir arī prieks un smiekli ― the sun was shining... the white snow sparkled so dazzlingly, that one wanted to believe: on earth there is happiness, there is joy and laughter

7. (of sleep) light, not deep (from which one can easily wake up)

   jautrs miegs ― light sleep

Declension

Synonyms

• bezrūpīgs
• draisks
• dzīvespriecīgs
• nebēdīgs

Derived terms

• jautrība
• jautrināt

References