Language is a constantly evolving and developing living organism, reflecting the cultural, social, and historical progress of society. Every language, despite its uniqueness, has the ability to adopt and enrich itself with words from other languages. This is a natural process that occurs over centuries when different nations interact and exchange not only goods or ideas but also words.
Lithuanian is no exception – it has borrowed numerous words from other languages, starting with ancient Sanskrit and extending to modern languages like English, Italian, and Yiddish. Each borrowed word reflects specific cultural exchanges and contributes to the vitality of the language.
I am beginning a series of articles in which I will reveal which words have entered the Lithuanian language from languages such as Sanskrit, Latin, and others.
One of the most fascinating and commonly used sets of words in Lithuanian comes from Yiddish – the Jewish language spoken by the large Jewish community in Lithuania for centuries. These words are often witty, colorful, and have seamlessly integrated into everyday Lithuanian colloquial language, making them not only interesting but also an essential part of our linguistic identity.
So, let’s begin.
Borrowed from Sanskrit
These shared words point to a common origin from the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although they are thousands of years old, they continue to be successfully used in modern Lithuanian.
Here are some Lithuanian words that bear similarities to Sanskrit:
Dievas – (Sanskrit Devas, eng. God)
Ugnis – (Sanskrit Agni, eng. Fire)
Širdis – (Sanskrit Hṛd, eng. Heart)
Sūnus – (Sanskrit Sūnu, eng. Son)
Vilkas – (Sanskrit Vṛka, eng. Wolf)
Naktis – (Sanskrit Nakti, eng. Night)
Mama – (Sanskrit Mātṛ, eng. Mom)
Brolis – (Sanskrit Bhrātṛ, eng. Brother)
Diena – (Sanskrit Dina, eng. Day)
Dantis – (Sanskrit Danta, eng. Teeth)
These similarities demonstrate a deep historical and linguistic connection between Lithuanian and the ancient Indo-European languages, of which Sanskrit is one of the best-preserved representatives.
Borrowed from Latin
Latin had a profound influence on the Lithuanian language, especially through the spread of Christianity and in fields like science, law, and medicine. While Latin is not directly used in everyday Lithuanian speech, many Latin words have taken root in specialized areas or have become international terms. Here are some of the most commonly used Lithuanian words and terms borrowed from Latin:
Daktaras – (Latin doctor, “teacher”)
Medicina – (Latin medicina, “the art of healing”)
Terapija – (Latin therapia)
Receptas – (Latin receptus, “received”)
Anatomija – (Latin anatomia, “the science of body structure”)
Konstitucija – (Latin constitutio, “arrangement”)
Kongresas – (Latin congressus, “assembly”)
Justicija – (Latin justitia, “justice”)
Respublika – (Latin res publica, “public affair”)
Notaras – (Latin notarius, “clerk”)
Kultura – (Latin cultura, “cultivation”)
Teatras – (Latin theatrum)
Civilizacija – (Latin civilis, “civil”)
Biblioteka – (Latin bibliotheca)
Universitetas – (Latin universitas, “community”)
Kvadratas – (Latin quadratus, “square”)
Centras – (Latin centrum, “center”)
Forma – (Latin forma)
Materija – (Latin materia, “matter”)
Data – (Latin datum, “given day”)
Faktas – (Latin factum, “deed, done”)
Motyvas – (Latin motivus, “that which moves”)
Persona – (Latin persona, “person”)
Most of these words originate from Latin but entered Lithuanian as international terms through other European languages, such as Polish, French, or German. The importance of Latin loanwords is especially evident in specialized fields such as science, law, religion, and medicine, and their use remains active to this day.
Borrowed from Yiddish
The Jewish community in Lithuania was one of the largest and most influential in Eastern Europe until the mid-20th century. They had a significant impact on local society. Although Jews lived alongside Lithuanians for a long time, the linguistic and cultural influence was mutual – Lithuanians adopted many elements of Jewish language, particularly from Yiddish, the main language of the Jewish community in Lithuania.
Over the centuries, Jews were involved in trade, crafts, and financial affairs, and their communities thrived in various Lithuanian cities, especially in Vilnius, known as the "Jerusalem of the North." In the interwar period, Jews made up about 7% of the population in Lithuania, with large and active Jewish communities in Vilnius, Kaunas, and Šiauliai.
The borrowed words usually have a practical, sometimes witty, or playful meaning and are used in everyday situations. Here are some of the most important and frequently used words:
Šnapsas – a word meaning strong alcoholic drink, derived from Yiddish schnapps. This term is especially common among city dwellers when referring to vodka or other strong beverages.
Šmikis – a word meaning an unimportant, careless, or insignificant person, derived from Yiddish shmuck. This is a humorous term often used with irony.
Kvatoti – to laugh loudly or shout, derived from Yiddish kvatschen. This word was widely used in Lithuanian colloquial language and means loud laughter or noisy behavior.
Blėka – a metal sheet or tin, derived from Yiddish blech. This word was often used by craftsmen or builders.
Fafliūgas – noise or chaotic event, derived from Yiddish feflugn. This word is also associated with confusion or turmoil and is often used in a comical context.
Šarfas – a sharp or clever person, derived from Yiddish sharf, which also means "sharp" in German. This can be used both literally and metaphorically.
Kebėtas – smart or capable, derived from Yiddish geboyt, meaning "capable" or "able."
These words became part of the Lithuanian colloquial language due to the intense daily interaction between Jews and Lithuanians in urban life.
That’s it for today. Did you find it interesting? Should I proceed with other languages? Perhaps I should explore connections with your mother tongue? Let me know in the comments below!