Lithuanian is often described as "the Latin of living languages" , it is the modern Indo-European language that has preserved the most features of Proto-Indo-European, the ancestral tongue from which virtually all European languages descend. Linguists from around the world study Lithuanian to understand how our ancestors spoke 5,000 years ago.
Vilnius, the baroque capital, is one of the most beautiful cities in Central Europe. This guide will give you the tools to greet naturally in this Baltic nation of 2.8 million people.
1. Labas , The Universal Greeting 2. Greetings by Time of Day 3. Kaip sekasi , How Are You? 4. Lithuanian: A Living Fossil Language 5. Practical Expressions 6. Lithuanian Culture
Labas , The Universal Greeting
Labas (pronounced LA-bas) is the most common and easiest Lithuanian greeting to remember. It comes from labas (good, well) , an etymology found in almost all Indo-European languages (Latin laetus, English love, Russian лучше...).Pronunciation
- La: simple la
- bas: bas, the "a" is open
- Stress on the first syllable: LA-bas
- Labas! , neutral, can be addressed to anyone
- Labas (to a man) / Laba (to a woman) , in fuller phrases
- Sveikas! (SVEI-kas) , to a man, informal
- Sveika! (SVEI-ka) , to a woman, informal
- Sveiki! (SVEI-ki) , to multiple people or formal
- Dievas (God in Lithuanian) ≈ Deus (Latin) ≈ Deva (Sanskrit)
- Ugnis (fire) ≈ Ignis (Latin) ≈ Agni (Sanskrit)
- Avis (sheep) = identical to Latin avis (bird, same root)
Forms Depending on Gender
Lithuanian agrees greetings:Informal Greeting
Among young people and close friends, Čiau (chow, from the Italian "ciao") is very popular , used for both hello and goodbye.Greetings by Time of Day
| Lithuanian |
| Time |
| ----------- |
| ------ |
| Labas rytas |
| Morning |
| Laba diena |
| Daytime |
| Labas vakaras |
| Evening |
| Labanakt |
| Night |
| Viso gero |
| Leaving |
| Lithuanian |
| Meaning |
| ----------- |
| --------- |
| Kaip sekasi? |
| How are things going? (informal) |
| Kaip laikotės? |
| How are you? (formal) |
| Kas naujo? |
| What's new? |
| Lithuanian |
| Meaning |
| ----------- |
| --------- |
| Gerai, ačiū |
| Fine, thanks |
| Puikiai |
| Excellent |
| Šiaip taip |
| So-so |
| Nieko ypatingo |
| Nothing special |
| Lithuanian |
| English |
| ----------- |
| --------- |
| Ačiū |
| Thank you |
| Labai ačiū |
| Thank you very much |
| Prašau |
| Please / You're welcome |
| Atsiprašau |
| Excuse me |
| Taip |
| Yes |
| Ne |
| No |
| Labai malonu |
| Nice to meet you |
| Viso gero |
| Goodbye |
| Į sveikatą! |
| Cheers! |
Lithuanian Culture
Resistance as Identity Lithuania has endured successive occupations , the Teutonic Knights, Poland, Tsarist Russia, the Soviet USSR. Resistance and the preservation of language and culture are at the heart of Lithuanian national identity. The "Baltic Way" of 1989 (a human chain of 700 km linking Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius) remains a global symbol. Faith and Catholicism Unlike its Estonian and Latvian neighbours (who are Protestant), Lithuania is predominantly Catholic , an identity close to neighbouring Poland. The Hill of Crosses (Kryžių kalnas), covered with thousands of crosses, is a site like no other in the world. Vilnius: The Northern Rome Vilnius has the largest Baroque old town in all of Northern Europe. Its narrow streets, hidden courtyards and literary cafés recall Prague or Kraków in their authenticity. Basketball as Religion Basketball is the Lithuanian national sport , with a passion that far exceeds football. International matches literally bring the country to a standstill. Talk basketball and you'll have friends for life.Conclusion
Lithuanian is a language that transports you to the past while anchoring you in a vibrant, modern culture. Labas, Ačiū and Viso gero will open the first doors to a Lithuania often overlooked by English-speaking travellers. Vilnius deserves as much attention as Prague or Budapest , and with a few words of Lithuanian, you'll see a country that few have truly encountered.
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