Darboties

Darboties is a Latvian verb meaning to operate, function, or act. It is used for machines and systems to work, for organizations or institutions to function, and for people or groups to carry out activities. In everyday use it conveys that something runs as intended or that a process is in effect. Examples include a machine that darbojās bez problēmām (operated without problems) and an organization that darbojās efektīvi (functioned efficiently).

Etymology and form: The word derives from the noun darbs (work) and the verbal suffix -ot-, with the infinitive ending -ies. Darboties is primarily intransitive: the subject performs or experiences the operation rather than taking a direct object. Tense forms include darbojas (it operates), darbojās (it operated), and darbosies (it will operate). Context often clarifies whether the focus is on the device, the organization, or the action being undertaken.

Usage notes: Darboties covers both mechanical function and human or collective activity. It appears in technical, administrative, and everyday language. When a device or system is activated by an agent, Latvian often uses darbināt for the causing action (to operate something) while darboties describes the resulting state or ongoing operation. Phrases may refer to current performance, past functioning, or future effectiveness, such as “projekts darbosies no nākamā mēneša” or “rieto funkcionalitāte darbosies.”

Related terms: Darbināt is the transitive counterpart meaning to operate or activate something. Darbība means activity or action, and darbīgs or darbīgs laikmets denotes an active or productive quality.

See also: darbība; darbināt; darbīgs.