Language/Lithuanian/Vocabulary/Saying-Hello

Lithuanian → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Greetings and Introductions → Saying Hello

Introduction

In this lesson, we will learn how to greet someone and introduce yourself in Lithuanian. Greetings and introductions are the first step in any conversation, and they play a crucial role in building relationships and establishing rapport. By mastering the art of saying hello in Lithuanian, you will be able to confidently engage with native speakers and make a positive impression. In this lesson, we will cover the essential vocabulary and phrases for greetings and introductions, explore cultural nuances, and provide plenty of examples for practice. So let's get started and learn how to say hello in Lithuanian!

Basic Greetings

To begin any conversation, it's important to know how to say hello in Lithuanian. Here are some basic greetings that you can use:

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
Labas	[ˈlɑbɑs]	Hello
Sveikas	[ˈsveɪkɑs]	Hi (used by males)
Sveika	[ˈsveɪkɑ]	Hi (used by females)
Sveiki	[ˈsveɪkɪ]	Hi (used by a group)
Labas rytas	[ˈlɑbɑs ˈrɪtɑs]	Good morning
Laba diena	[ˈlɑbɑ ˈdɪɛnɑ]	Good day
Labas vakaras	[ˈlɑbɑs ˈvɑkɑrɑs]	Good evening
Labanakt	[ˈlɑbɑnɑkt]	Good night

As you can see, "Labas" is the most common way to say hello in Lithuanian. It can be used in both formal and informal situations. "Sveikas" is used by males to greet someone, while "Sveika" is used by females. "Sveiki" is used to greet a group of people. Use "Labas rytas" to say good morning, "Laba diena" to say good day, and "Labas vakaras" to say good evening. Finally, "Labanakt" is used to say good night.

Introducing Yourself

Now that you know how to say hello in Lithuanian, let's move on to introducing yourself. When meeting someone for the first time, it's common to exchange names and basic information. Here's an example conversation:

A: Labas, mano vardas Jonas. || Hello, my name is Jonas. B: Sveikas, Jonas. Malonu susipažinti. Aš esu Laura. || Hi, Jonas. Nice to meet you. I'm Laura.

In this conversation, "mano vardas" means "my name is" and "Aš esu" means "I am." You can replace "Jonas" and "Laura" with your own name when introducing yourself. Remember to use "Sveikas" if you're male and "Sveika" if you're female. To respond to someone's introduction, you can say "Malonu susipažinti," which means "Nice to meet you."

Cultural Insights

Greetings in Lithuania are often accompanied by a handshake and direct eye contact. It's important to make eye contact while greeting someone as it shows respect and sincerity. In formal situations, such as business meetings or official events, a more formal greeting is expected, including a slight bow of the head or a nod. It's also common to use formal titles when addressing someone older or in a position of authority, such as "Ponas" for Mr. and "Ponia" for Mrs./Ms.

In addition, Lithuanians value punctuality and appreciate when others arrive on time for appointments and meetings. Being late without a valid reason may be seen as disrespectful. When greeting someone, it's polite to use their full name until given permission to use a more informal form of address.

Exercises

Now it's time to practice what you've learned. Complete the following exercises to reinforce your understanding of greetings and introductions in Lithuanian.

Exercise 1: Match the Greetings Match the Lithuanian greetings with their English translations.

Lithuanian	English
Labas	Good morning
Sveikas	Hello
Labas vakaras	Hi (used by males)
Laba diena	Good day

Solution:

• Labas - Hello
• Sveikas - Hi (used by males)
• Labas vakaras - Good evening
• Laba diena - Good day

Exercise 2: Introduce Yourself Imagine you're meeting a Lithuanian friend for the first time. Introduce yourself in Lithuanian and ask for their name.

Solution: A: Labas, mano vardas Justina. Kas tavo vardas? || Hello, my name is Justina. What's your name? B: Sveika, Justina. Mano vardas Tomas. || Hi, Justina. My name is Tomas.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've learned how to greet someone and introduce yourself in Lithuanian. Greetings and introductions are the first step in building connections and starting conversations. By understanding the basic greetings and cultural nuances, you'll be able to navigate social situations with ease. Keep practicing and building your vocabulary to expand your communication skills in Lithuanian. In the next lesson, we will learn how to ask and answer questions about names and nationalities. Ačiū ir viso gero! (Thank you and goodbye!)

Table of Contents - Lithuanian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Lithuanian

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

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Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

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Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Gender and Declension
• Personal Pronouns

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Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

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Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

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Food and Dining

• Common Foods
• Dining Out

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Adjectives and Adverbs

• Describing People and Things
• Comparatives and Superlatives

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Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

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Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Common Prepositions
• Connecting Ideas

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Shopping and Services

• Shopping Vocabulary
• Banking and Postal Services

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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