If you've traveled anywhere, you know that a good map is a boon companion. It
may point out areas of interest, show you where the good museums are and
direct you to the nearest hospital if you are unlucky. All of this, however,
depends on your understanding it.

  * **karte** : map [slider title="decline me"] _karte_ , f, 5. dekl.  
_vsk_.: karte, kartes, kartei, karti, ar karti, kartē  
_dsk_.: kartes, karšu, kartēm, kartes, ar kartēm, kartēs[/slider]

I usually remember this one by its similarity to cartography and bet that it
was also borrowed somewhere back in history. It is a false friend to "cart" as
in shopping cart, so be wary of that.

  * **muzejs** : museum [slider title="decline me"] _muzejs_ , m., 1. dekl.  
_vsk_.: muzejs, muzeja, muzejam, muzeju, ar muzeju, muzejā  
_dsk_.: muzeji, muzeju, muzejiem, muzejus, ar muzejiem, muzejos[/slider]

There are a lot of very interesting museums in Latvia, particularly in
Vecrīga. Don't miss the Latvian War Museum (Latvijas Kara muzejs) in the old
Powder Tower (Pulvertornis) which has all sorts of neat stories, including
lots about the badass Latvian Riflemen.

  * **slimnīca** : hospital [slider title="decline me"] _slimnīca_ , f, 4. dekl.  
_vsk_.: slimnīca, slimnīcas, slimnīcai, slimnīcu, ar slimnīcu, slimnīcā  
_dsk_.: slimnīcas, slimnīcu, slimnīcām, slimnīcas, ar slimnīcām, slimnīcās
[/slider]

Expect to see this one again on a future Wordy Wednesday because _slims_ is a
fun word-building word. In this case, _slims_ or _sick_ is combined with
_-nīca_ , the suffix which seems to indicate a basic establishment or place,
to produce "a place for the sick" or a hospital.

  * **viesnīca** : hotel [slider title="decline me"] _viesnīca_ , f, 4. dekl.  
_vsk_.: viesnīca, viesnīcas, viesnīcai, viesnīcu, ar viesnīcu, viesnīcā  
_dsk_.: viesnīcas, viesnīcu, viesnīcām, viesnīcas, ar viesnīcām,
viesnīcās[/slider]

This is built from _viesi_ , which means _guests_ , plus -nīca to create "a
place for guests."

  * **kafejnīca** : cafe, bistro [slider title="decline me"] _kafejnīca_ , f, 4. dekl.  
_vsk_.: kafejnīca, kafejnīcas, kafejnīcai, kafejnīcu, ar kafejnīcu, kafejnīcā  
_dsk_.: kafejnīcas, kafejnīcu, kafejnīcām, kafejnīcas, ar kafejnīcām,
kafejnīcās[/slider]

Similar to viesnīca and slimnīca, kafejnīca is built from _kafija_ or _coffee_
plus -nīca to create "a place for coffee." Kafejnīcas are similar to
coffeehouses, a place where you can get a quick bite to eat, a cup of coffee
or tea, light meal, that type of thing. It's different from a restaurant,
however.

  * **restorāns** : restaurant [slider title="decline me"] _restorāns_ , m., 1. dekl.  
_vsk_.: restorāns, restorāna, restorānam, restorānu, ar restorānu, restorānā  
_dsk_.: restorāni, restorānu, restorāniem, restorānus, ar restorāniem,
restorānos[/slider]

Latvians distinguish restorāns from other types of eateries and it's a
distinction to be aware of. A _restorāns_ is generally going to have waitstaff
and a full menu. It's more formal. You wouldn't probably stop here to just get
a bite, you'd stop to get a full meal. For example: the little eatery you pick
up a sandwich or a pastry at during the day is a kafejnīca, while the nice
restaurant you take your Friday night date to is a restorāns.

It's hard to describe, but a lot of the distinction is really in the
atmosphere. You'd probably pay more in a restorāns for a hopefully better (or
higher-class) dining experience. You may also be expected to tip more in a
restorāns because of the quality of service. It depends on the place.