Affiliate Disclaimer: Lingalot is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases. We may also use affiliate links for other programmes. (See full affiliate disclosure.)

50+ Lithuanian Sayings, Proverbs & Idioms + Their Meanings

Lithuanian people use a lot of sayings and expressions in daily life which offer advice and even sometimes have hidden meanings.

Check out these sayings, idioms and proverbs below to gain some insight into Lithuanian beliefs and ways of thinking. 

Below I’ve listed inspiring Lithuanian sayings about life, common Lithuanian proverbs and famous Lithuanian idioms. 

Lithuanian Sayings About Life & Lithuanian Proverbs

Below I’ve listed the most famous Lithuanian proverbs as well as some common Lithuanian sayings. These are used often in day to day life.

  1. Geras artojas ir su žąsinu paaria – A good plowman can plow even with a goose.

This Lithuanian saying means that a good craftsman can do his job even with bad tools.

Famous Lithuanian saying which reads 'a good plowman can plow even with a goose'.
  1. Nespjauk į šulinį, nes gali tekti gerti – Don’t spit in a well as one day you may drink from it.

This Lithuanian proverb teaches us not to ruin something that we may need later.

  1. Lenk medį, kol jaunas – Bend the tree while it is young.

This Lithuanian saying means you should deal with a problem early on rather than leaving it until it is too late.

  1. Linai nesėti, o jau drobes audžia – Flax is not yet sown and they are already weaving the linen.

This saying means that we shouldn’t be too confident that something will succeed. 

  1. Arklį pažinsi iš dantų, žmogų – iš kalbų – You will know a horse by his teeth and a man by his talk.

This Lithuanian quote means that what we say, reveals who we truly are. 

  1. Dievas davė dantis, Dievas duos ir duonos – God gave teeth, God will provide the bread.

This Lithuanian saying is used to tell someone not to worry about the future.

  1. Gera pradžia – pusė darbo – Well begun, is half done.

This Lithuanian proverb means that you will be able to complete a task faster if you start off well.

  1. Kas nedirba, tas nevalgo – He who does not want to work, cannot eat either.

This proverb teaches us to work hard or we cannot enjoy the fruits of our labor.

  1. Katė glostoma kuprą kelią – Cat stroking leads to hump raising.

This Lithuanian saying means that you shouldn’t show too much affection or desperation because it could actually push people away.

  1. Koks tėvas, toks ir sūnus – Like father, like son.

This Lithuanian quote about family means that sons often look and behave like their fathers.

Famous Lithuanian saying which reads 'like father, like son'.
  1. Ne viskas auksas, kas auksu žėri – Not all that glitters is gold. 

This saying means that just because something looks appealing or genuine, doesn’t mean that it is. 

  1. Sena meilė nerūdyja – Old love does not rust.
  1. Šiaučius be batụ, kriaučius be apsiausto – The shoemaker is always barefoot.

This Lithuanian saying about life means that somebody who works hard for others, often neglects their own needs.

  1. Pirma padaryk darbą, o po to daryk ką nori – First do the job, then do what you want.
  1. Ką darai – daryk gerai – Whatever you do, do it well.
  1. Lengva pasakyti, bet ne padaryti – Easy to say, but not to do.

This Lithuanian saying is similar to the English saying ‘easier said than done’.

  1. Nereikalauk nieko iš kito, jei pats nieko neduodi – Don’t take something from someone, if you don’t give anything to them.

This Lithuanian proverb teaches us to be fair.

  1. ​​Žuvis žuvį gaudo ir ryja – The big fish catches the small fish and swallows it.

This Lithuanain quote can be compared to humans – stronger humans overpower weaker ones.

  1. Meška girioje, o skūrą jau rėžia – Don’t sell the skin till you have caught the bear.

This saying means that you shouldn’t be too confident about success before it is certain.

  1. Nuo kvailumo vaistų nėra – There is no medicine that can cure stupidity.

Best Lithuanian Idioms & Lithuanian Expressions

Below I’ve listed the most well-known Lithuanian idioms and expressions. Many of these have hidden meanings. 

  1. Kabinti makaronus ant ausų

This Lithuanian idiom literally means to ‘hang noodles on the ears’.

The true meaning is that you are trying to fool someone.

Lithuanian idiom which reads 'to hang noodles on the ears'.
  1. ​​Kaip šuniui penkta koja

This Lithuanian idiom literally means ‘like a fifth leg for a dog’.

Lithuanian people use this phrase to describe pointless actions or purchases.

  1. Šaukštai po pietų

This Lithuanian saying about life literally means ‘spoons after lunch’ however it actually means that someone is too late for something.

  1. Neperšokęs griovio nesakyk op

This Lithuanian idiom literally means ‘don’t say ‘wheee’ before jumping over the ditch’.

It is actually used to say that you shouldn’t get too happy before the work has been completed.

  1. Sėdi kaip pabučiuotas

This Lithuanian idiom literally means ‘sitting like they were just kissed’.

The true meaning is that someone looks like they are daydreaming or fantasizing. 

  1. Žiūriu pro rožinius akinius

This famous Lithuanian saying literally means ‘looking through pink glasses’ however it actually means that someone sees everything positively. 

  1. Eina kaip žemę pardavęs

This Lithuanian idiom literally means that someone is ‘walking like they just sold the earth’. It actually just means that someone is sad.

  1. Pagauti kampą

This idiom literally means to ‘catch the corner’ however it actually means that you have understood the meaning of something.

  1. Man stogas važiuoja

This Lithuanian idiom literally means ‘my roof is riding away’ however it is actually used to say that you’re going crazy.

Lithuanian idiom which reads 'my roof is riding away'.
  1. Faktas kaip blynas

This Lithuanian saying literally means ‘it’s a fact like a pancake’ however it is actually used to say that something is a fact or completely true.

  1. Pilti iš tuščio į kiaurą

This idiom literally means ‘to pour from an empty container into a leaky one’.

The true meaning is that you have spoken without any true meaning.

  1. Eiti pas nykštukus

This idiom literally means to ‘go and visit the dwarves’ however it is actually used to say that you are going to the bathroom.

  1. ​​Kaip pirštu į akį

This Lithuanian idiom literally means ‘like a finger in the eye’. It’s actually used to say that someone has said something really insightful.

  1. Troleibuse gimęs

This idiom literally means ‘born in a trolleybus’ however it is actually used to describe a person who does not close doors behind them.

  1. Nuėjo šuniui ant uodegos

This Lithuanian saying literally means ‘it left on the dog’s tail’. 

It actually means that something has been done in vain or for nothing.

  1. ​​Pjauti grybą

This idiom literally means ‘cutting a mushroom’ however it is actually used to say that someone is talking nonsense.

  1. Spardyk debesį

This idiom literally means ‘go kick a cloud’. It is actually used to tell someone to go away.

  1. Žodis – sidabras, tyla – auksas

This Lithuanian saying literally means ‘words are silver, silence is gold’.

Lithuanians often use it when someone is talking too much.

Lithuanian saying which reads 'words are silver, silence is gold'.
  1. Ryti akimis

This idiom literally means ‘to swallow with eyes’. Lithuanain people use it to say that they are enjoying a view.

  1. Akis apdumti

This saying literally means ‘to smoke the eyes’ but is actually used to describe when someone has been deceived by a conman.

  1. Akys ant kaktos iššoko

This Lithuanian saying literally means that someones ‘eyeballs have popped out of their forehead’.

It actually means that someone is very surprised.

  1. Akis ganyti

This idiom literally means ‘to shepherd the eyes’.

You would say this phrase when someone is staring at something/someone too much and they are not paying attention to anything else around them.

  1. Varnas skaičiuoti

This famous Lithuanian saying literally means ‘to count the crows’ however it is actually used to say that someone is daydreaming.

  1. Už devynių jūrų

This Lithuanian saying literally means ‘nine seas away’. Lithuanian people use this idiom to say that something is very far away.

  1. ​​Molio Motiejus

This idiom literally means ‘Matthew from the clay’.

You would actually use this idiom to say that someone is very sloppy.

  1. Nevynioti žodžių į vatą

This idiom literally means to ‘wrap words in cotton wool’. Lithuanian people use it to say that someone isn’t being very direct or straightforward.

Lithuanian idiom which reads 'wrap words in cotton wool'.
  1. Bala nematė

This saying literally means ‘the swamp didn’t see’.

It is used when you have a huge dilemma and you’re about to make your decision.

  1. Palikti ant ledo

This idiom literally means ‘to leave someone on ice’. Lithuanian people use it to say that someone has been abandoned.

  1. ​​Rodyti ožius

This idiom literally means ‘show the goats’. This phrase can be used to say that someone is very stubborn.

  1. ​​Aiškintis santykius

This Lithuanian idiom literally means ‘clarification of relationship’ however this phrase actually describes a fight.

  1. ​​Skysta duona

This phrase literally means ‘liquid bread’ but it is actually used to describe beer by many Lithuanian people.

Thanks for reading this post on the best Lithuanian sayings about life, the best Lithuanian idioms and fascinating Lithuanian proverbs.

These Lithuanian idioms & sayings give an interesting insight into the Lithuanian beliefs and language.

Related Posts: