laipns

Latvian

Alternative forms

• (dialectal form) lipns

Etymology

From the same stem as the verb lipt (“to stick, to adhere”) (q.v.), from which it was derived (with vowel gradation, like laipa (“footbridge”), and an extra n; compare, without vowel gradation, the dialectal variant lipns). The semantic evolution was probably “sticky, adhesive” > “clingy” > “attentive” > “nice, polite, kind.” Cognates include Lithuanian lipnùs (“sticky, adhesive; nice, kind”). Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *leyp-.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key):

Adjective

laipns (definite laipnais, comparative laipnāks, superlative vislaipnākais, adverb laipni)

1. nice, polite, kind, friendly, warm, welcoming (one that treats others with attention, sensitivity, kindness, friendliness)

   laipns jaunietis ― friendly, nice young man

   laipna namamāte ― welcoming hostess

   būt laipnam pret viesiem ― to be courteous, welcoming to the guests

   esi, esiet tik laipns... — would you be so kind as to... (introducing a polite request)

2. (such that it expresses or reflects such qualities: attention, politeness, kindness, friendliness...)

   laipns smaids ― a kind, warm smile

   runāt laipnā balsī ― to speak with a kind voice

   laipni vārdi ― kind, welcoming words

   laipna uzņemšana ― warm welcome

Declension

Derived terms

• laipnība

References