Language/Lithuanian/Vocabulary/Saying-Hello

Lithuanian → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Saying Hello

Welcome to the “Saying Hello” lesson, a delightful part of our journey through the Lithuanian language! Greetings are the first step in any communication, and mastering them is essential for building connections, expressing friendliness, and navigating social interactions in Lithuania. In this lesson, we will explore various ways to greet someone, introduce ourselves, and understand the nuances of these interactions in Lithuanian culture.

Before we dive into the specifics, let's outline what we'll cover:

The Importance of Greetings

When you greet someone in Lithuanian, you are not just exchanging words; you are opening the door to conversation. Greetings set the tone for interactions, convey respect, and reflect the warmth of Lithuanian hospitality. Whether you’re meeting a friend, a colleague, or a stranger, knowing how to say hello can create a positive first impression and make you feel more at home in Lithuania.

Structure of the Lesson

This lesson is structured in two main parts:

1. Common Greetings - Here, we’ll learn the most frequently used greetings, their pronunciation, and appropriate contexts.

2. Introducing Yourself - In this section, we’ll cover how to introduce yourself, including essential phrases and vocabulary.

Common Greetings

Let’s kick things off with some core greetings. Below, you will find a table that lists different ways to say hello, along with their pronunciation and English translations.

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
Labas	[ˈlɑː.bɐs]	Hello
Labas rytas	[ˈlɑː.bɐs ˈriː.tɐs]	Good morning
Labas vakaras	[ˈlɑː.bɐs ˈvɑ.kɐ.rɐs]	Good evening
Labas naktis	[ˈlɑː.bɐs ˈnɐk.tis]	Good night
Sveiki	[sveɪ̯ˈki]	Hi / Hello (plural or formal)
Sveiki atvykę	[sveɪ̯ˈki ɐtˈvʲiː.kʲe]	Welcome
Kaip sekasi?	[kaɪ̯p sɛˈkɑː.si]	How are you?
Ką veiki?	[kɑː vʲɛˈki]	What are you doing?
Mielas	[ˈmʲe.lɐs]	Dear / Sweet (used as a greeting)
Ačiū, kad atvykote	[ˈɑ.tʃʲu kɐt ɐtˈvʲiː.kɔ.tʲe]	Thank you for coming

As you can see, each greeting serves a particular context. Here are some notes on usage:

• Labas is a versatile greeting that can be used in informal situations.

• Sveiki is more formal and can be used when addressing a group.

• Labas rytas, Labas vakaras, and Labas naktis are time-specific greetings that show consideration for the time of day.

• Kaip sekasi? and Ką veiki? are great follow-up questions to engage in conversation.

Cultural Notes

In Lithuania, greetings are often accompanied by a handshake, especially in formal situations. In more casual settings, a friendly smile or wave can suffice. Always remember to maintain eye contact during greetings, as it conveys sincerity and attentiveness.

Introducing Yourself

Now that you have a good grasp of greetings, let’s move on to self-introductions. Knowing how to introduce yourself is crucial in making connections. Here’s how you can do it in Lithuanian.

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
Man vardas...	[mɐn ˈvɑr.dɐs]	My name is...
Aš esu iš...	[ɑʃ ˈɛ.su iʃ]	I am from...
Džiaugiuosi susipažinti	[ˈdʒɪ.ʊ.gʲu.o.si su.sɪ.pɐˈʒɪn.tʲi]	Nice to meet you
Kiek tau metų?	[kjɛk tɑʊ ˈmɛ.tʊ]	How old are you?
Aš esu...	[ɑʃ ˈɛ.su]	I am...
Aš dirbu...	[ɑʃ ˈdʲɪr.bu]	I work as...
Aš studijuoju...	[ɑʃ stʊ.dɪˈjʊo.ju]	I study...
Mano hobis yra...	[ˈmɐ.no ˈhɔ.bʲɪs ˈi.rɐ]	My hobby is...
Aš mėgstu...	[ɑʃ ˈmɪɡ.stu]	I like...
Malonu susipažinti	[mɐˈlɔ.nʊ su.sɪ.pɐˈʒɪn.tʲi]	It's nice to meet you

When introducing yourself, it’s essential to be polite and friendly. Here are some tips for effective self-introductions:

• Start with Man vardas... to tell your name.

• Follow with Aš esu iš... to share where you come from.

• Ask questions like Kiek tau metų? to show interest in the other person.

• Conclude with Malonu susipažinti to express your pleasure in meeting them.

Practice Exercises

Now that you have learned how to greet and introduce yourself in Lithuanian, let’s put your knowledge to the test with some exercises!

Exercise 1: Match the Greeting

Match the Lithuanian greetings with their English translations.

Lithuanian Greeting	English Translation
1. Labas rytas	A. Good night
2. Sveiki atvykę	B. How are you?
3. Labas vakaras	C. Welcome
4. Kaip sekasi?	D. Good morning
5. Labas naktis	E. Good evening

Solution for Exercise 1

1. D

2. C

3. E

4. B

5. A

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct words to create meaningful phrases.

1. Labas, ________ (name).

2. Aš ________ (name) iš ________ (country).

3. Džiaugiuosi ________ (verb) tave.

4. Aš ________ (verb) ________ (profession).

Solution for Exercise 2

1. Labas, [insert name].

2. Aš [insert name] iš [insert country].

3. Džiaugiuosi [susipažinti] tave.

4. Aš [dirbu] [insert profession].

Exercise 3: Create Your Introduction

Write a short self-introduction in Lithuanian using the phrases learned in this lesson. Start with your name, where you are from, and something about yourself.

Sample Solution for Exercise 3

Man vardas [Your Name]. Aš esu iš [Your Country]. Aš dirbu kaip [Your Profession]. Džiaugiuosi susipažinti!

Exercise 4: Translate the Following

Translate the following sentences into Lithuanian.

1. Hello, my name is John.

2. Nice to meet you, I am from Canada.

3. How are you?

4. Good evening, welcome!

Solution for Exercise 4

1. Labas, mano vardas yra Johnas.

2. Malonu susipažinti, aš esu iš Kanados.

3. Kaip sekasi?

4. Labas vakaras, sveiki atvykę!

Exercise 5: Role Play

Pair up with a partner and practice introducing yourselves to each other using the phrases learned. Take turns being the speaker and the listener.

Exercise 6: Greeting Scenarios

Imagine you are in different situations. Write down the appropriate greeting you would use.

1. Meeting a friend in the morning.

2. Meeting a group of people at a conference.

3. Saying goodbye at night.

Sample Solutions for Exercise 6

1. Labas rytas!

2. Sveiki!

3. Labas naktis!

Exercise 7: Word Search

Create a word search using the greetings and introduction phrases learned in this lesson. Find the words hidden in the grid.

Exercise 8: Listening Comprehension

Listen to a recording of someone greeting and introducing themselves in Lithuanian. Write down what you hear and translate it into English.

Exercise 9: Cultural Reflection

Reflect on how greetings might differ in your culture compared to Lithuanian culture. Write a short paragraph about it.

Exercise 10: Quick Quiz

Answer the following questions:

1. What is the Lithuanian word for “hello”?

2. How do you say “good evening” in Lithuanian?

3. What phrase would you use to ask someone how they are?

Solutions for Exercise 10

1. Labas

2. Labas vakaras

3. Kaip sekasi?

Congratulations! You have completed the lesson on greetings and introductions in Lithuanian. Keep practicing, and you will become more comfortable using these phrases in real-life situations. Remember, language learning is a journey, and every small step brings you closer to fluency.

Table of Contents - Lithuanian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Lithuanian

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Gender and Declension
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Food and Dining

• Common Foods
• Dining Out

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Describing People and Things
• Comparatives and Superlatives

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Common Prepositions
• Connecting Ideas

  ---

Shopping and Services

• Shopping Vocabulary
• Banking and Postal Services

  ---

Lithuanian Traditions and Customs

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Cuisine

Sources

• 50 Amazing Basic Words And Phrases In Lithuanian - Ling App
• Basic Lithuanian Phrases You Need To Know Before You Travel ...
• Reserved And Polite: 10 Basic Greetings In Lithuanian - Ling App

Other Lessons

• Dining Out
• Unique Expressions
• Romantic Relationships
• Family Members
• Drinks and Beverages
• Time and Scheduling
• Family
• Food
• Education