tikai

Latvian

Etymology

Originally from tik (“such; only”) +‎ tai (with loss of the second t), with tai being a form of the demonstrative pronoun tas (“that”); compare related particles tikko, tikām. Cognates include Lithuanian tiktaĩ, dialectal tìktai.

Particle

tikai

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

   tikai vienu reizi tur bijām ― we have been there only once

   to zina tikai viņš ― only he knows that

   nopirku tikai divus kilogramus miltu ― I bought only two kilograms of flour

   es nemaz neraudu, es tikai šņaucu degunu ― I didn't cry at all, I only snorted (lit. snorted (my) nose)

   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 lose

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 joy

   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)

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

   tā tikai bija pasaka! ― that was just a fairy tale!

   skaties, lai visiem tikai pietiktu ― (just) make sure that there is enough for everyone

   sēž tikai un pļāpā ― just sit down and chat

   pamēģini tikai, tad tu redzēsi! ― just try it, then you'll see!

Conjunction

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 shy

   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 wolves

   lūša pēdas atgādina kaķa pēdas, tikai tās ir lielākas ― lynx footprints look like cat footprints, only (= with the difference that) they are bigger

   zelta pietiktu vienam vai tūkstotim ļaužu; tikai ne visiem ― the gold would be enough for one or for a thousand people; just not for all

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 happiness

   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 garden