vajadzība

From vajadz(ēt) (“to be necessary”) +‎ -ība. Meaning “lack, scarcity” in the 17th, following the etymological meaning of vajadzēt (q.v.), the word soon evolved into its current meaning.^[1]

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vajadzība f (4th declension)

1. need, necessary (the quality of that which is necessary; a situation in which something is necessary)

   vajadzība pēc grāmatām ― the need for books

   pateikt savu vajadzību ― to tell your need

   nav nekādas vajadzības par to runāt ― there is no need to talk about that

   vajadzības izteiksme ― debitive (lit. necessity) mood (Latvian verb form that expresses necessity)

2. (in the plural) needs (set of natural, social, spiritual factors that are necessary for life, or for a certain activity)

   elementāras vajadzības ― basic needs

   dabiskās vajadzības ― natural needs

   apmierināt sabiedrības vajadzības ― to meet the needs of society

• vajadzēt, vajadzēties
• vajadzīgs