Slang

1. Iki

   See you

   Usage

   A clipping of Iki pasimatymo, until we meet. For friends, peers and staff you have warmed to; in formal settings say Viso gero

2. Bičas

   Mate / dude

   Usage

   A casual form of bičiulis, close friend. Between friends of a similar age — never with a stranger, an elder or staff

   Grammar Note

   bičiulis originally meant people who kept bees, bitė, together — a relic of Lithuania's beekeeping tradition

3. Chebra

   The crew

   Usage

   The group of friends you always hang about with. Natural about your own circle; used of other people's it can sound dismissive. For friends

4. Šaunu

   Nice one

   Usage

   A one-word well done for someone's news or achievement. Casual but never crude, so it is safe with staff and elders alike

5. Fainai

   Cool / nice

   Usage

   An old borrowing from the German fein, still in wide use; the adjective is fainas. Conversational — in formal settings say puiku

6. Nerealu

   Unreal

   Usage

   Literally unreal. It can be admiring or exasperated, so read the room. For friends

7. Rimtai?

   Seriously?

   Usage

   From rimtas, serious — the reaction to surprising news. Among friends; with an elder it can sound like doubt

8. Nu jo

   Yeah, well

   Usage

   nu is the colloquial well and jo a casual taip, yes — a loose agreement. Spoken only, never in writing or a formal reply

9. Blynas

   Shoot!

   Usage

   Literally a pancake, used as the harmless stand-in for a swear word that would otherwise slip out. Safe in front of children, though still not for formal settings

10. Vakarėlis

    Party

    Usage

    A diminutive of vakaras, evening, for any informal gathering. Safe with anyone

11. Kavutė

    A quick coffee

    Usage

    A diminutive of kava, coffee. Einam kavutės, let us go for a coffee, is the standard casual invitation to a colleague or friend — Lithuanian leans on diminutives to sound warm

12. Ramiai

    Take it easy

    Usage

    The adverb of ramus, calm — literally calmly. For settling a flustered friend; said to a stranger it comes across as condescending

13. Nieko tokio

    It's nothing

    Usage

    The reply to an apology or a thank-you. Safe with anyone — staff or friends

14. Ką veiki?

    What are you up to?

    Usage

    The standard opener to a friend in chat or on the phone. Only for people you address as tu; with an elder use Kaip laikotės?

15. Aišku

    Got it / of course

    Usage

    Literally it is clear, used on its own both to acknowledge an explanation and to agree that something goes without saying. It stays polite, so it works with staff and officials

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