Etymology

Originally from tik (“such; only”) +‎ tai (with loss of the second t)Category:Latvian compound terms#TIKAI, with tai being a form of the demonstrative pronoun tas (“that”); compare related particles tikko, tikām. Cognates include Lithuanian tiktai̇̃, dialectal tìktai.^[1]

Pronunciation

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• Hyphenation: ti‧kai

Particle

tikaiCategory:Latvian lemmas#TIKAICategory:Latvian particles#TIKAICategory:Latvian entries with incorrect language header#TIKAICategory:Pages with entries#TIKAICategory:Pages with 2 entries#TIKAI

1. used to limit the meaning of a word or expression; only, just

   tikai vienu reizi tur bijām ― we have been there only onceCategory:Latvian terms with usage examples#TIKAI

   to zina tikai viņš ― only he knows thatCategory:Latvian terms with usage examples#TIKAI

   nopirku tikai divus kilogramus miltu ― I bought only two kilograms of flourCategory:Latvian terms with usage examples#TIKAI

   es nemaz neraudu, es tikai šņaucu degunu ― I didn't cry at all, I only snorted (lit. snorted (my) nose)Category:Latvian terms with usage examples#TIKAI

   šoreiz tas nav azarts, kas atzīst tikai vienu: uzvarēt vai krist ― this time, it's not gambling, which recognizs only one (thing): to win or to loseCategory:Latvian terms with usage examples#TIKAI

2. (in the combination ne tikai) referring to other possibilities, alternatives; not only, not just

   nāk jauna diena? jā gan, un sola / ne tikai laimi, ne tikai prieku ― is a new day coming? yes, and it promises / not only happiness, not only joyCategory:Latvian terms with usage examples#TIKAI

   darbs viņam kļuvis patiesi radošs, īsti radošs, ne tikai vārdos tāds ― his work became creative, truly creative, not just such in words (i.e., this is not just empty praise)Category:Latvian terms with usage examples#TIKAI

3. (syn. tik) used to strengthen or reinforce the meaning of the utterance; just...

   tā tikai bija pasaka! ― that was just a fairy tale!Category:Latvian terms with usage examples#TIKAI

   skaties, lai visiem tikai pietiktu ― (just) make sure that there is enough for everyoneCategory:Latvian terms with usage examples#TIKAI

   sēž tikai un pļāpā ― just sit down and chatCategory:Latvian terms with usage examples#TIKAI

   pamēģini tikai, tad tu redzēsi! ― just try it, then you'll see!Category:Latvian terms with usage examples#TIKAI

Conjunction

tikaiCategory:Latvian lemmas#TIKAICategory:Latvian conjunctions#TIKAICategory:Latvian entries with incorrect language header#TIKAICategory:Pages with entries#TIKAICategory:Pages with 2 entries#TIKAI

1. used to link elements, usually indicating limitation of the meaning of the preceding element, or also a contrast with it; just, only

   Jukums bija klusas, labsirdīgas dabas, tikai pārāk bikls un bailīgs ― Jukums was of a quiet, kind-hearted nature, (but) just a little too self-conscious and shyCategory:Latvian terms with usage examples#TIKAI

   pusaudži abi vienā balsī apgalvoja, ka cilvēkus mežā neesat redzējuši, tikai vilku ― both adolescents confirmed in one voice that they had not seen people in the forest, (but) only wolvesCategory:Latvian terms with usage examples#TIKAI

   lūša pēdas atgādina kaķa pēdas, tikai tās ir lielākas ― lynx footprints look like cat footprints, only (= with the difference that) they are biggerCategory:Latvian terms with usage examples#TIKAI

   zelta pietiktu vienam vai tūkstotim ļaužu; tikai ne visiem ― the gold would be enough for one or for a thousand people; just not for allCategory:Latvian terms with usage examples#TIKAI

2. (in the sequence ne tikai ... bet arī) used to connect two elements; not only ... but also

   vai tagad jūs, draugi, zināt, kas ir mistrāls? tas ir vējš, kas spēj atnest ne tikai nelaimi, bet arī laimi ― do you, friends, know what the mistral is? it is a wind that can bring not only unhappiness, but also happinessCategory:Latvian terms with usage examples#TIKAI

   Taive dzird ne tikai to, kas notiek klasē, bet arī pagalmā un dārzā ― Taive hears not only what happens in the classroom, but also (what happens) in the yard and in the gardenCategory:Latvian terms with usage examples#TIKAI

References

Verb

tikai̇̃Category:Lithuanian non-lemma forms#TIKAICategory:Lithuanian verb forms#TIKAICategory:Lithuanian entries with incorrect language header#TIKAICategory:Pages with entries#TIKAICategory:Pages with 2 entries#TIKAI

1. second-person singular past of tikti