Learning the official language is one thing, but having the opportunity to learn some slang takes you to the next level of understanding and using the language.
All languages have phrases that are widely used, but you won’t find them in the dictionary. This is not because they are bad or rude words; they are part of everyday folk language, which stays off the official sources.
So, this is my list of colourful Lithuanian sayings. Learn and enjoy!
When we have “a dirty mind,” we say we have “curly thoughts” (garbanotos mintys)
When we don’t grasp the idea or understand something, we say, “I don’t catch the corner” (nepagaunu kampo)
When we don’t say what we honestly think, we “hang noodles on your ears” (kabinti makaronus ant ausų) or “say spells” (burti).
We don’t lose our sanity, or mind, our "roof drives away" (stogas nuvažiuoja). For example, Nuo mokslo jau važiuoja man stogas.
We aren’t uncaring or indifferent; sometimes, we simply “can't see beyond our nose” (nematome toliau savo nosies).
When kids are angry or stubborn, we say, “the goat's horns are growing” (ožiuko ragai auga)
Our kids don’t “go to the bathroom”; they “visit the dwarves” (eiti pas nykštukus).
We don’t “mess up” or “talk crap”; we “cut the mushroom” (pjauti grybą)
We don’t “fool around,” we “spit and catch” (spjaudyti ir gaudyti). For example, Visą popietę tik spjaudžiau ir gaudžiau.
Native speakers don’t gaze or stare; they “swallow with their eyes” (ryti akimis). For example, Šis vaikinas ryja tave akimis.
When something is “too late,” we say, “the spoons were served after lunch” (šaukštai po pietų), or 'the train waits for no one' (traukinys nelaukia). As far as I know, this saying is also commonly used in English-speaking countries. Isn't it?
In Lithuania, things don’t happen “without reason”; they come “out of the air” (iš oro).
When we want you “to speak directly without beating around the bush,” we say, “Don’t wrap your words into cotton wool, say it” (nevyniok žodžių į vatą, sakyk)
We don't just get in shape; we “roll the muscles” (užsikočioti raumenis). For example, Tadas ir vėl kočioja raumenis. Geriau ruoštųsi egzaminui.
We don’t “spot a fool” immediately, but we can identify “the face unharmed with intellect” (Intelekto nesužalotas veidas). For example, Prie gretimo staliuko sėdi du vyrukai intelekto nesužalotais veidais.
If we change our mind, we say “the fantasy to do it just bounced away” (atšoko fantazija). For example, Sužinojau, kiek kainuoja bilietas į koncertą ir atšoko fantazija ten eiti.
Can you relate to these phrases? Have you spotted even more of them? Recently I have started the forum discussion, so we can chat there and share your findings.
Karolina, OLS Community Manager – Lithuanian