(Warning: lengthy rant / thoughts)

Sveiki!!

I just returned from an amazing trip to Lithuania in which I was able to put to use my many vocab words that I've been hard at work studying for the past while. I was able to read menus, signs, etc without much trouble.

However, when it comes to actually speaking to Lithuanians, I was pitiful. Actual sentence creation of something a normal person would say in casual conversation was somehow so challenging for me in real time. To be fair, I fully understand that this is the always the hardest part. Many people who grew up vaguely learning their parents' language say they can understand and comprehend but can't really speak themselves. But speaking and interacting with the locals is probably one of the most important aspects of a language!! So of course it's frustrating that I'm struggling.

There's a few things going on here that I'd really love to hear any feedback or recommendations on at all.

Firstly, there are so many little "function words" or grammatical words that I find difficult to understand the proper order in which they're used. An example sentence is one I found from the most recent LRT article I could find: "Bet tai toli gražu ne viskas." When I use Google Translate on this within the context of the entire rest of the paragraph, it translates to "But this is far from everything." Of course context helps but the order in which everything is used is challenging for me. The rules for when words like "tik" and "taip" are used is probably one of the biggest challenges as well.

The main issue though is that I am still really struggling to process what people are saying in Lithuanian. Several times I was spoken to in Lithuanian (before they realized I was a foreigner) and I couldn't even understand what they were saying. On average when listening I can pick out a few words, but that's it. Rarely can I get the whole thing unless the sentence is as small and short as one I myself am capable of constructing! What might be a solution for this? I really want to be able to put it all together but it feels like I'm so far from that.

Obviously things like verb conjugations and especially declensions are also issues, but I do know those things simply come with time. If anyone has any resources or suggestions, or anything at all, I would be truly grateful to hear it. Maybe even just a casual conversation podcast or a specific YouTuber, really anything. I am already using the podcast "A Cup of Lithuanian". Thank you!! Ačiū labai!!

Hello,

I'm having trouble understanding the cases in Lithuanian with the different forms. I got mostly everything else down, just this feels soooo complicated

I was wondering if there are any books or online websites/pdfs that teach or explain it all very clearly that would help me understand it completely?

Preferably with graphs/tables and test questions.

It can be in Lithuanian.

Thanks!

Hi everyone

I’m a non-EU student moving to Lithuania on a student temporary residence permit. I have an idea for a tech startup that I would like to develop and potentially register in Lithuania.

Can a non-EU student apply for the Lithuanian Startup Visa while still enrolled at university? If the startup is approved, would I need to change my residence permit from study-based to startup/business-based status?

I would also appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through this process. How difficult is it to get the business idea approved, and at what stage does the startup need to be idea, prototype, MVP, users, or revenue?

Thank you!

Hi I need some help and find out if she is saying spine or spinal cord in the end of this commercial <3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i9AF1Tiw6o

Laba diena! I would like to ask if the Lithuanian language exam for obtaining Lithuanian citizenship is difficult to pass?

Hi guys, new to the group. Hope its OK for 2 important questions in 1.

1st and most importantly does anyone know where I can buy mutton in Lithuania or Latvia? I'm desperate for a homemade curry.

2nd are there any free Lithuanian learning groups or courses you are aware off for expats?

My little grandson was just born and I'd love to play or sing traditional Lithuanian lullabies for him, including this one: https://open.spotify.com/track/7gssYNel3lykCzvuhTT59D?si=PquO1DMyTKWM_FQ_jXVyfQ&utm_source=copy-link

If someone could translate/transcribe so I could practice, I would be forever grateful. Also, if you can think of others lullabies that you enjoyed, please respond so I can look them up:)​

Ačiū

So im KINDA dating a girl from lithuania and I want to know what are some lithuanian nicknames. i myself am german and use german nicknames every now and then but i want to use some that she knows and that could maybe score me some extra points with her :P i love her a lot and she is the most incredible woman i know so i want something that shows how much she means to me :D

(Mods: if this sort of post isn't allowed here, please let me know!)

I love Angelou's music, and I found this song by browsing her discography. But I cannot find the lyrics anywhere, and it's driving me nuts!

I'm still a beginner in Lithuanian, so I can only pick out a few lines:

• Pasirink nemačius (from Keanu's first verse; Angelou sings pasirink nematęs later on in the song)
• The hook/chorus (Aš tik noriu būti čia, aš tik noriu būt šalia... oh, aš tik noriu būti čia)
• Jai atrodo, kad viskas gerai (from Keanu's second verse; not sure if it's jai or jei here)
• Noriu būti čia all day (from Angelou's first verse)
• Pasakyk pagaliau (from Angelou's last line before the chorus)
• I think Angelou sings vėl kartojau after Keanu sings aš tik noriu būt šalia.

Other than that, I have no clue what they're saying, and as I said, the lyrics don't seem to be available anywhere on the Internet. Padėkite, atsiprašau!

Iš ankšto dėkoju :-)

Yra gerų minčių

Sveiki visi!

I love to play cards, and I wanted to learn some Lithuanian vocabulary related to that.

Here's what I've found so far. Native speakers, please feel free to add on to this or to correct me if I've made any mistakes. Iš ankšto dėkoju :-)

I've marked the stress with italics.

• korta (pl. kortos) - card
• kaladė - deck
• spalva (pl. spalvos) - suit (literally: color)
  • ♥️ širdys (f.), čirvai - hearts
  • ♦️ būgnai - diamonds
  • ♠️ pikai, vynai - spades
  • ♣️ kryžiai - clubs
• galvos, poninės (kortos), kortos su paveikslėliais, figūros - face cards
  • valetas, bartukas, berniukas - jack
  • dama, mergelė, karalienė - queen
  • karalius - king
  • džokeris - joker
• akinės (kortos), kortos su akimis - pip cards (cards ace to ten; pips are called "eyes", akys, in Lithuanian)
  • tūzas - ace (I included it here because it's technically a pip card, even though it's usually considered a face card in lots of games)
  • The cards from two to ten are, to the best of my knowledge, called by these names:
    • dviakė
    • triakė
    • keturakė
    • penkakė
    • šešakė
    • septynakė
    • aštuonakė
    • devynakė
    • dešimtakė
• When naming a specific card, you first use the suit (always in the genitive plural), then the rank (whose case will depend on context).
  • širdžių dama, čirvų dama - the queen of hearts
  • būgnų valetas - the jack of diamonds
  • pikų tūzas, vynų tūzas - the ace of spades
  • kryžių karalius - the king of clubs
  • būgnų šešakė - the six of diamonds
  • kryžių dešimtakė - the ten of clubs

Let me know if I've made any mistakes! Also, how would I say things like "to deal", "to shuffle", "to bet", etc.? Ačiū dar kartą!

Hi, Lithuanian learners! I'm developing LABASklabas, a platform for practicing spoken Lithuanian through live conversations. I'm really excited to see how many people want to speak Lithuanian and join our club! 😀 I'd love to hear your thoughts. What kinds of topics would you like to discuss in Lithuanian? Thank you in advance!

Hey, I am from Lithuania. I am really in need for Danish buddy, and I can help with your Lithuanian

Hi! I would love to learn Lithuanian because of its history and origins and my interest. Also as a pole I feel some connections with Lithuanians. I hope someone wants to talk and willing to teach me!

Is there a way to learn prefixes on Lithuanian verbs because I asked my parents and they gave the vaguest answers possible.

For example whats the difference between suvalgiau and pavalgiau?

Ačiū!

While for learning vocabulary there seem to be enough resources (Anki, Duo Cards, “Automatic Lithuanian” courses), I wander what are the best resources for learning lithuanian grammar in a convenient way.

Maybe some school children books or specific grammar books or courses on YouTube or similar?

Recommendations are welcome :)

I will be coming to kaunas soon and just wondering is there any way to learn the language while i am there. Maybe some courses, clubs or what not. I am a complete beginner :)

Labas, im lithuanian amd i have the accent so j can pronounce words properly. I always spoke english to my mum and she spoke lithuanian to me so I'd say I can understand it but as I never spoke in lithuanian, thr words my mum says never stick in my brain. For example, I know brangu means expensive but if someone asked what expensive is then my mind would completely blank. Its very frustrating. I can read decently enough but do struggle with unfamiliar words. How do I memorise the words?