Want to learn basic words and phrases in Lithuanian? Great! Start with simple greetings like ‘hello,’ which is Labas, or Labas Rytas, meaning ‘good morning,’ and you’ll already make a great impression.
You don’t have to be fluent to start a conversation with a native Lithuanian speaker. That’s why we have compiled a handful of basic Lithuanian words and phrases to help you travel more confidently and understand the culture better. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Where Does Lithuanian Come From?
Lithuanian belongs to the Baltic language family and is one of the oldest surviving Indo-European languages. It’s the official language of Lithuania and is spoken by around 3 million people.
Lithuanian, or Lietuvių kalba, is closely related to Latvian, and linguists consider it the most archaic surviving Indo-European language because it preserves many ancient features that have disappeared from other languages.
What Are The Most Common Basic Words And Phrases In Lithuanian?
Some basic words and phrases in Lithuanian include “Hello” – Labas, “Good Morning” – Labas Rytas, “Thank You” – Ačiū, and “Sorry” – Atsiprašau.
Here are the most common words and phrases you can use right away.
1. Hello / Hi – Labas
This is a good conversation starter that can be used in many situations.
2. Good Morning – Labas Rytas
This greeting is one of the most common ways to start the day. It will be perfect to say this while having a nice breakfast and eating some delicious Lithuanian pastries like Medaus Tortas (honey cake).
3. Good Evening – Labas Vakaras
This can be used to greet someone in the evening. This will really come in handy, especially if you are going to experience the nightlife in different places in Lithuania, like Bambalyne and Alaus Biblioteka.
On the other hand, to say ‘good night’ in Lithuanian, use Labos nakties or Labanakt. This is a nice way to end the night.
4. Thank You – Ačiū
To show your gratitude, you can say Aciu. This is one of the most important Lithuanian expressions that you need to learn, especially when you’re traveling.
5. Goodbye – Viso Gero
Viso Gero is the Lithuanian term for ‘goodbye,’ but you may also hear Sudie, which means ‘bye’ in English. This is more informal and casual than the first one. Another casual way of saying this is Iki pasimatymo, which means ‘see you later.’
6. Sorry / Excuse me – Atsiprašau
There will also be times when you need to say sorry or excuse me. Atsiprašau is the right word to use. However, to beg pardon, use Atleiskite, which is also translated as ‘excuse me’ in English.
7. Please – Prašau
Lithuanians are also known to be polite and respectful. Saying ‘please’ – Prašau is a common way to express politeness, especially if you are not familiar with Lithuanian culture.
8. Yes – Taip | No – Ne | Maybe – Gal | Okay – Gerai
These four words are short but very essential, especially if you don’t know how to speak Lithuanian. Although you can use some nonverbal cues like nodding and thumbs up, these words are not that hard to learn.
9. My Name Is – Mano Vardas Yra
In case you have to introduce yourself in Lithuanian, you can use Mano vardas yra, which means ‘My name is,’ or Aš esu, which means ‘I am.’ As a foreigner, try to take every opportunity to befriend the locals, as Lithuanians are very hospitable. Building friendships with them will make you want to come back again and again.
10. How Much Does This Cost? – Kiek Tai Kainuoja?
What kind of trip is it without shopping? This is one of the must-learn expressions that will surely help you while shopping at the local shops in Lithuania, like Akropolis and RYO. Learning these will help you survive your trip.
Other Words And Phrases In Lithuanian
Some other words and phrases in Lithuanian include numbers like one – vienas, five – penki, and ten – dešimt, or phrases like “Do you speak English?” – Ar kalbate angliškai? and “How much is this?” – Kiek tai kainuoja?
Here are some additional basic words and phrases in Lithuanian for you to learn to expand your vocabulary:
Greetings In Lithuanian
Start your conversations with these common Lithuanian greetings:
| English | Lithuanian |
|---|---|
| Welcome! (greeting on arrival) | Sveiki atvykę! |
| How are you? | Kaip gyvuojate? |
| I’m fine. | Man viskas gerai. |
| How do you do? | Kaip sekasi? |
Numbers In Lithuanian
These basic Lithuanian numbers will help you count, pay, and navigate everyday situations.
| English | Lithuanian |
|---|---|
| 1 | vienas |
| 2 | du |
| 3 | trys |
| 4 | keturi |
| 5 | penki |
| 6 | šeši |
| 7 | septyni |
| 8 | aštuoni |
| 9 | devyni |
| 10 | dešimt |
| 20 | dvidešimt |
| 30 | trisdešimt |
| 40 | keturiasdešimt |
| 50 | penkiasdešimt |
| 60 | šešiasdešimt |
| 70 | septyniasdešimt |
| 80 | aštuoniasdešimt |
| 90 | devyniasdešimt |
| 100 | šimtas |
How To Be Understood In Lithuanian
When traveling in Lithuania, it helps to know a few key phrases to find someone who can understand you.
| English | Lithuanian |
|---|---|
| Do you speak English? | Ar kalbate angliškai? |
| I can’t speak Lithuanian [well / fluently] | Nekalbu [gerai / laisvai] lietuviškai |
| Is there someone here who speaks English? | Ar kas nors čia kalba angliškai? |
| I don’t understand | Nesuprantu |
How To Ask For Directions In Lithuanian
If you need to find your way around Lithuania, here are essential words and phrases for asking directions and using public transport.
| English | Lithuanian |
|---|---|
| left | kairė |
| right | dešinė |
| straight ahead | tiesiai |
| …the train station? | …traukinių stoties? |
| …the bus station? | …autobusų stoties? |
| …the airport? | …oro uosto? |
| How much is a ticket to _____? | Kiek kainuoja bilietas iki |
| One ticket to _____, please. | Prašau vieną bilietą į _____. |
| Where is the toilet? | Kur yra tualetas? |
| I’m lost | Pasiklydau |
Lithuanian Words For Food And Dining
Make mealtime smoother with these phrases for ordering, toasting, and enjoying local Lithuanian dishes.
| English | Lithuanian |
|---|---|
| Can I look at the menu, please? | Gal galėčiau gauti meniu? |
| A table for one person/two people, please. | Stalą vienam/dviems, prašau. |
| May I have some _____? | Ar galėčiau gauti šiek tiek _____? |
| Is there a house specialty? | Ar turite firminių patiekalų? |
| Bring me the check, please. | Galite atnešti sąskaitą. |
| It was delicious. | Buvo labai skanu |
| Cheers! Good health! (Toasts used when drinking.) | Į sveikatą! |
Shopping Phrases In Lithuanian
If you need to ask about prices to make purchases, these phrases will help you shop confidently in Lithuania.
| English | Lithuanian |
|---|---|
| Do you have this in my size? | Ar šitą turite mano dydžio? |
| How much is this? | Kiek tai kainuoja? |
| That’s too expensive. | Tai per brangu. |
| OK, I’ll take it. | Gerai, aš tai paimsiu |
| I can’t afford it. | Negaliu sau to leisti. |
How Do You Say ‘Words’ And ‘Phrases’ In Lithuanian?
In Lithuanian, ‘words’ is žodžiai and ‘phrases’ is frazės.
Tips For Travelers Visiting Lithuania
Here are some simple tips to make your trip to Lithuania smoother:
- Learn the key greetings first: Start with words like ‘Hello’ – Labas, ‘Thank you’ – Ačiū, and ‘Good morning’ – Labas Rytas. Apps like the Ling app make learning these types of phrases easy and convenient.
- Carry cash in small bills: While credit cards are widely accepted in big cities, small shops, cafes, and local markets often prefer cash.
- Dress in layers and check the weather: Lithuanian weather can change quickly, especially in spring and autumn. Bring layers and a light waterproof jacket to stay comfortable while sightseeing.
FAQs About Basic Words And Phrases In Lithuanian
Is Lithuanian Hard To Learn?
Lithuanian has complex grammar, but basic phrases are easy to memorize and pronounce with practice.
Can I Travel To Lithuania Using Only English?
Yes, especially in cities. However, knowing basic Lithuanian words makes your experience smoother and more respectful.
What Does ‘Kaip Sekasi’ Mean?
Kaip sekasi is a common Lithuanian greeting that means “How are you?” or “How’s it going?”
Wrapping Up: Basic Words And Phrases In Lithuanian
In this post, we’ve covered essential Lithuanian words and phrases that will help you communicate, navigate, and connect with locals during your trip. From greetings like ‘hello’ – Labas to polite expressions such as ‘thank you’ – Ačiū, you now have the foundation to start simple conversations.
We also explored practical travel phrases in Lithuanian, including ‘How much does this cost?’ – Kiek tai kainuoja? and “Where is the toilet?’ – Kur yra tualetas?, which makes shopping, sightseeing, and everyday interactions easier.
Learn More Lithuanian Words And Phrases With Ling
If you want to join the 3 million Lithuanian speakers, the Ling app is the perfect place to start. It offers fun, engaging lessons that make learning convenient and enjoyable.
You don’t need to attend scheduled classes. You can use your phone or computer to learn at your own pace anytime, anywhere. Best of all, you can try the Ling app with a 7-day trial and see how easily you can learn Lithuanian.
What are you waiting for? Download the Ling app from the Play Store or App Store and start learning Lithuanian today!
