kareivis

Borrowed from Lithuanian karei̇̃vis, introduced into Latvian by by Juris Alunāns. Until the beginning of the 20th century, it meant mostly “warrior” (like German Krieger), after which it became increasingly used in the sense of “soldier” (previously expressed only by the Germanism zaldāts).^[1]

• IPA^(key): [kaɾɛ̄īvis]

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kareivis m (2nd declension)

1. soldier, private (the first (lowest) rank in the army; a soldier of this rank)

   sardzes kareivis ― watch (lit. watch soldier)

   kareivja formas tērps ― soldier's uniform

2. soldier, warrior in general

   diženais kareivis aizauļo zirgā ― the great warrior galloped away on a horse

3. (figuratively) soldier, fighter (for a cause, ideal, etc.)

   mākslas kritiķis ir kareivis, kas cīnās par mākslas progresu ― the art critic is a soldier who fights for the progress of art

• cīnītājs, cīnītāja
• karavīrs
• (dated term) zaldāts

From kãras (“war”, masculine noun) +‎ -eivis (suffix: one who goes/does).

• IPA^(key): [kaˈreivis]

karei̇̃vis m (plural karei̇̃viai, feminine kareivė) stress pattern 2

1. soldier, conscript, private (military rank)

• “kareivis”, in Lietuvių kalbos žodynas [Dictionary of the Lithuanian language], lkz.lt, 1941–2025