# 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.

### Pronunciation

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### Particle

tikai
* 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
* (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)
* (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
* 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
* (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

### References

* ↑ Karulis, Konstantīns (1992) “tikai”, in Latviešu Etimoloģijas Vārdnīca‎ (in Latvian), Rīga: AVOTS, →ISBN