Latvia is a country with a long and rich history tying with Germany, Poland, Sweden and Russia. During tsarist times and Soviet Occupation (the latter half of the 20th century), Latvia was part of Russia and that's why many Russians have immigrated into the country without learning Latvian. Nowadays Latvian is the mother tongue of only some 60% of the country's population and in fewer than 50% in major cities.

As part of the independence process in the early 1990s, Latvia introduced language laws to protect the language from extinction. Because of language policy in Latvia approximately 30% of the ethnic-minority population speak Latvian.

All over the country Russian and English are spoken widely. Although English is mostly used among young people, so you don't have to worry about not being understood if you speak any of these languages. German is also a quite popular language in Latvia.  

Believe us, locals will be really warm-hearted if you speak their language as it is such a small one! Here are some common phrases you can use:

Hello - Sveiki!
Good morning! - Labrīt!
Good afternoon! - Labdien!
Good evening! - Labvakar!
Welcome - Laipni lūdzam!
Thank you - Paldies!
Please - Lūdzu!
What's your name? - Kā jūs sauc?
My name is .... - Mani sauc ....
Where are you from? - No kurienes jūs esat?
I'm from... - Es esmu no ....
How much is this? - Cik šis maksā?
Cheers/Good Health! - Priekā!
I love Latvia! - Es mīlu Latviju!
I love you! - Es Tevi mīlu!
Excuse me! - Atvainojiet!
Sorry! - Piedodiet!
Go away! - Ej prom!
Help! - Palīgā!
Bon appetit! - Labu apetīti!
I don't understand! - Es nesaprotu!