katrs

Katrs is a word in the Latvian language that functions as a determiner meaning “each” or “every.” It is used to refer to individual members of a group, indicating that a statement applies to them one by one rather than to the group as a whole. In sentences, katrs typically precedes the noun it modifies and agrees with the noun’s gender and number, as do related adjectives in Latvian.

Examples illustrate its usage: “Katrs cilvēks ir atbildīgs par savām darbībām” (Every person is responsible for their actions). Another common construction is “Katrs no mums,” meaning “each of us,” which introduces a statement about individuals within a subset.

Grammatical notes: Katrs inflects like an adjective, with forms that vary by gender and case in agreement with the noun it accompanies. This inflection allows speakers to convey precise relations such as possession, plurality, or object of action, depending on the sentence structure.

Usage and nuance: Katrs emphasizes the individuality of members within a group and is often chosen when the speaker intends to highlight personal responsibility or distinct occurrences among individuals. For broader, collective statements about all members of a group without focusing on individuals, the word visi (everyone) may be used instead.

See also: Latvian grammar, Latvian language, determiners.