Learn the Lingo: Lithuania
The Language Situation in Lithuania
Whether you’re moving for a few days or a few years, a big source of anxiety for many expats is language. From ordering drinks & buying food to chatting round the office water cooler, many expats find that a solid understanding of the local linguistic situation helps them feel instantly more at ease in their new home.
This guide will answer some of the questions many expats have: what the official language of Lithuania is, what other languages Lithuanians speak, and whether it’s necessary to learn a new foreign language in depth. As a bonus, we’ll even chuck in some resources for learning Lithuanian and a few handy first phrases!
Official Language(s)
The official language of Lithuania is Lithuanian, a language known for being the most conservative modern Indo-European language. It is spoken by the vast majority of the population and, as an official language, it is used in all state government, education, and media contexts. Lithuanian Sign Language is officially recognized and used by the deaf community, ensuring accessibility for those who rely on it. Additionally, Lithuania is home to speakers of languages including Polish, Russian, and Belarusian, particularly in regions with larger ethnic communities, where these languages are spoken alongside Lithuanian in daily life.
Lithuanian belongs to the Baltic branch of the Indo-European language family, and is famous for being one the most linguistically conservative descendent of Proto-Indo-European, the language from which languages like English, French, German, Polish, Bengali, Punjabi, and Persian are descended from. Its closest relative is Latvian, though the two languages are not mutually intelligible. Despite its geographical location, Lithuanian has few obvious similarities with Slavic languages like Russian and Polish, and the languages are not mutually intelligible. However, Lithuanian is completely unrelated to nearby languages like Estonian and Finnish, which belong to the Uralic language family and are entirely different in structure and vocabulary. Overall Lithuanian is quite distinct from other nearby languages, having the distinction over Latvian that it is more convservative.
Lithuanian uses the Latin alphabet with additional diacritics to represent its unique sounds, such as č š ž to represent ‘ch, sh, zh’; the historically nasal ą ę į ų; and the unique looking ė and ū. The language’s grammar is highly inflected, with not only verbs changing to show person and tense, but nouns, pronouns, & adjectives changing to show the role each words plays in the sentence. This makes Lithuanian a complex language to learn, but fortunately the order in which words are arranged is relatively unimportant, and learners may be delighted to discover Lithuanian’s rich use of diminutives - suffixes that indicate something is small or cute, and which can stack together.
According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), Lithuanian is classified as a Category IV language, meaning it is considered difficult for native English speakers to learn. On average, it may take around 1100 hours of study to reach proficiency in Lithuanian due to its complex grammar, extensive use of cases, and unique pronunciation. However, with consistent practice and immersion, expats can become conversational within a shorter period, especially if they focus on everyday phrases and interactions.
How Good Are They At Foreign Languages?
Lithuanians traditionally learn several foreign languages, with English being a core part of the school curriculum from age 7/8. Lithuanians then typically pick up a second foreign language at age 10, with the traditional choices being German, Russian, and French, although it’s being suggested that Spanish replaces Russian. Languages are considered a key part of the curriculum, with universities typically requiring study of a foreign language for accepting students onto any programme and jobs often requiring fluency in a foreign language (typically English, but also commonly Russian and/or Polish). Lithuania also teaches a wide selection of foreign languages at university level, and French and Scandinavian languages, like Swedish, are becoming more popular as Lithuania’s international connections continue to grow.
Lithuanians are generally quite proficient in English, particularly among younger generations and in urban areas like Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipėda. Many Lithuanians use English regularly in business, tourism, and higher education and, according to recent surveys, a significant portion of the population, especially those under 40, can communicate effectively in English. However, the older generations - those middle-aged or older who grew up in the Soviet Union - typically have a poorer grasp on English and proficiency levels vary hugely. However, expats will find that most people, especially in cities, are comfortable speaking English, making daily interactions very easy.
Do I Need Lithuanian?
While expats living in Lithuania can generally get by with English only, learning some basic Lithuanian can be very helpful - if only as a party trick! In smaller towns or for dealing with government offices and certain services, however, Lithuanian is often necessary. Picking up a few key phrases can also make daily life smoother and help expats better integrate into the local community, showing respect for the culture and fostering stronger connections with locals.
Lithuanian language skills are not required for most visa types, but are required for permanent residency (which expats can apply for after 5 years in the country) along with a test on knowledge of the consitution.
Intermediate proficiency of Lithuanian is necessary for gaining citizenship via naturalization, typically meaning B1 level or higher according to the Common European Framework of Referance for Languages (CEFR).
Your First Lithuanian Words
Whether you’re moving to Lithuania permanently or only visiting for a short few days, there are some useful phrases that will help you navigate daily life and connect with locals more effectively.
Getting creative with the following list of words should help you to face the vast majority of simple, every-day situations!
Hello: Sveiki (formal) - labas (informal)
Goodbye: Viso gero!
Please: Prašau
Thank you: Ačiū
Yes: Taip
No: Ne
I want/I would like: Aš noriu / norėčiau (ko?)
That (one): To
Stringing these words together should allow you to say simple sentences and successfully - with pointing! - manage things like ordering food off a menu or buying something in a market.
Where Can I Learn Lithuanian?
Lithuanian, while primarily spoken by around 3 million people in Lithuania, is not particularly widely studied outside of the country compared to global languages like English or Spanish. However, it holds significant interest for linguists due to its preservation of many archaic Indo-European features, and, in academic circles, Lithuanian is studied in universities with strong Baltic or Slavic language departments, particularly in Europe and the United States. Additionally, heritage speakers in diaspora communities, especially in countries like the U.S., Canada, and the UK, often maintain the language through community schools or cultural programs. Despite its limited global reach, Lithuania invests a lot in trying to help foreigners study the language.
Before arriving, expats can choose from a wide range of online resources like language learning platforms, virtual tutors, and online courses offered by organizations such as Lingua Litaunica. Some cities around the world also have local community centers, universities, or Lithuanian cultural associations that offer in-person classes. It is worth checking those that are close to you.
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Ling App offers a Lithuanian course designed for beginners and intermediate learners, focusing on practical language skills through interactive lessons.
With its gamified approach, the app helps users learn vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation through fun exercises, quizzes, and conversations, making it an engaging way to build Lithuanian language skills.
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Pimsleur offers a Lithuanian course focused on building conversational skills through audio lessons, making it ideal for learners looking to develop practical speaking and listening abilities.
The course uses the Pimsleur Method, which emphasizes repetition and spaced recall to help users gain confidence in real-life communication, though it primarily targets beginners and focuses less on reading and writing.
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Mondly offers an interactive Lithuanian course that focuses on building practical vocabulary and conversational skills through engaging lessons and quizzes. It uses speech recognition to help learners practice pronunciation, making it a good option for beginners looking to get a basic grasp of the language.
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If you're looking for something produced by a more traditional organisation, Lingua Lituanica offers both individual and group lessons that can be done remotely.
Once expats move to Lithuania, they have access to a range of local resources to help them learn the language, including language schools, community courses, and private tutors. Immersion in daily life also provides valuable opportunities to practice Lithuanian in real-world situations, helping expats improve their skills more quickly while integrating into the local culture. In order to incentivize it even more, government initiatives fund a range of beginners’ courses - making it free for foreigners beginning their Lithuanian studies.
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Vilnius University is Lithuania’s most prestigious academic instution and its Faculty of Philology offers a wide variety of Lithuanian language courses for foreigners, including evening courses, semester courses, and intensive summer/winter courses. Although more pricey than some other options, you are guaranteed a high quality from this institution in the heart of Vilnius.
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Lingua Lituanica, another premiere institution based in Vilnius, focusses primarily on teaching foreigners Lithuanian. Like universities it has a wide variety of courses, but its status as a language school affords it the opportunity to offer individual and intensive lessons alongside the typical offerings. This is another good option for those who want guaranteed quality.
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Ames, the American English School, is a private language school that operates in all major cities within Lithuania. While, as the name suggests, they primarily teach English, they also offer Lithuanian courses. This could be a good option for people wanting to avoid the more old-fashioned universities and language schools in favor of something younger.
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Similar to Vilnius University, Klaipėda’s main university offers a Lithuanian summer and winter academy, allowing for intensive study over a 2/4 week period. This could be a fantastic option for people who want the intensive experience of Vilnius’ course in either a different environment or a more typical corner of Lithuania.
