Atvejams

Atvejams is a Latvian adverbial particle that introduces a conditional clause, equivalent to the English phrases "in case" or "if". It is most commonly used as part of the construction atvejams, ka…, where "ka" introduces the subordinate clause. The typical pattern is atvejams, ka + clause, and the clause provides a condition or circumstance that the main clause depends upon.

The particle atvejams can stand alone, but it is usually followed by a comma and the word ka. It is used to signal that the main clause is contingent upon the situation described in the subordinate clause. For example: atvejams, ka viņš nonāks agrāk, vajadzēs pagreitīt darbu. (In case he arrives early, we will need to speed up the work.) The subordinate clause can contain a full sentence or a short phrase, and the subject may differ from that of the main clause.

Grammar-wise, atvejams is in the nominative singular form. It does not decline for number or gender because it functions as a particle. In spoken Latvian it is often shortened to atvec or sometimes omitted entirely when the meaning is clear from context. In written Latvian the form atvejams is the standard, formal form.

Atvejams is one of several Latvian particles that signal conditionality, alongside atvaicām, ja, tiesa. Its most typical use is in legal texts, official documents, and formal written speech, where precise conditional meaning is required. The particle is not used in informal colloquial speech as frequently, and speakers may use ja or if instead. However, knowledge of atvejams is essential for understanding and constructing formal Latvian conditional clauses.