māsa
Latvian
Etymology
From Proto-Indo-European *mā-, a baby language word for “mother,” “mommy” (whence also māte, q.v.). This word, probably at first a term of endearment, has replaced an earlier descendent of Proto-Indo-European *swésōr (still found in Lithuanian sesuõ, genitive form seser̃s). Cognates include Lithuanian móša (“sister-in-law”), Old Prussian moazo ([moaso], “aunt”). [1]
Noun
māsa f, 4th declension
- sister (a daughter of a couple, in relation to their other children)
- vecākā, jaunākā māsa — older, younger sister
- brāļi un māsas — brothers and sisters
- īstā māsa — true, real sister
- dvīņu māsa — twin sister
- abas rokas izpletis, viņš piepeši metās māsai ap kaklu — spreading both arms, he suddenly threw himself on his sister's neck (= hugged her)
- sister (a woman who is closely associated with someone)
- vārda māsas — namesakes (lit. name sisters, i.e., two women who have the same name)
- līgavas māsas — bridesmaids (lit. bride's sisters)
- es visiem pazemotiem esmu māsa / un visiem grūtsirdīgiem draudzene — I am the sister of all humiliated (people) / and the friend of all melancholic (people)
- nurse (medical assistant who helps a doctor treat patients)
- māsa, medicīnas māsa — nurse
- operāciju māsa — operation nurse
- diētas māsa — diet nurse
- vecākā māsa — chief (lit. older) nurse
- medicīnas māsu kursi — nurse training courses
- iegūt medicīnas māsu diplomu — to get a nurse diploma
- sister (nun, female member of a religious order)
- māsa Olga zināja daudz ko tādu, ko nezināja Vaikulis — sister Olga knew many things that Vaikulis didn't know
Declension
declension of māsa
Synonyms
- (of "nun"): mūķene
Related terms
- māsīca
- māsiņa
References
- ^ Karulis, Konstantīns. 1992, 2001. Latviešu etimoloģijas vārdnīca. Rīga: AVOTS. ISBN 9984700127.