lai

conjunction

1. with the conditional, indicating purpose, sometimes cause; sometimes correlating with tāpēc, tādēļ in the main clause; so that, in order to, in order that

   “lai varētu labāk pārredzēt apkārtni, bija jāuzkāpj tornī”

2. indicating concession, especially in the combinations lai gan, lai arī; though, although, even though

   “lai cīņas būs grūtas, mēs uzvarēsim”

3. indicating strong concession, in combination with arī, nu, vai and with interrogative pronouns like cik, kāds, kurš, kas, kur; no matter how, which, who, what, where; however, wherever, whichever, whoever, whatever, wherever

   “viņa bija viņam iedvesusi ticību, ka viņš skatīs sauli, lai arī cik grūti būtu pašreiz”

4. after certain verbs, introducing a direct object clause; that, for ... to, to

   “zīlītes vairs negaidīja, lai Ilzīte viņas baro”

particle

1. used to express an optative (wish) nuance: may, may it be that

   “lai dabas spēkus gudrs cilvēks veic”

2. used to express encouragement, agreement: let

   “ja tu, Zane, nevari, lai paliek šovakar govis neslauktas”

3. used to mark third person imperative forms of verbs; sometimes used with the first person also: let

   ““lai taču viņš iet”, Aina saka; “lai viņš iet, es arī neturēšu viņu, lai iet, lai iet””

4. used to give a nuance of indecision or doubt, especially in a question should, could

   “ko lai viņam saku, kādu padomu lai dodu?”