{"id":4769,"date":"2017-08-30T12:48:57","date_gmt":"2017-08-30T18:48:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/?p=4769"},"modified":"2026-03-17T18:28:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T00:28:25","slug":"speaking-and-pronouncing-lithuanian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/speaking-and-pronouncing-lithuanian\/","title":{"rendered":"How to pronounce Lithuanian vowels and consonants: Lithuanian pronunciation guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Jonas Daugirdas. (updated 24 Dec 2018 with section on diphthongs).\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

PART 1: Pronunciation of consonants d, t, and n.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Many children of Lithuanian families who were raised in America pronounce certain consonants when speaking Lithuanian in a way that makes their spoken Lithuanian quickly identifiable as non-native. One little discussed problem that can cause American Lithuanian to sound markedly different from native Lithuanian is the americanized way that certain consonants are pronounced, especially the letters \u201cd\u201d, \u201ct\u201d, and \u201cn\u201d.<\/p>\n

What are the differences between how Americans and Lithuanians pronounce these three consonants? In American English, the consonants are pronounced by the \u201clingua-alveolar\u201d method. What does this mean? The University of Iowa phonology website shows a comparison of how consonants are pronounced in American English, German, and Spanish.<\/p>\n

\"\"
How the consonant \u201cd\u201d is pronounced in American English, in a \u201clingua-alveolar\u201d fashion.\u00a0 Reproduced with permission from the University of Iowa Phonetics Lab.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

American — tongue tip pressed against the hard palate.
\n<\/strong>Under the American English section, one can see how the tongue is placed to make an American English \u201ct\u201d or \u201cd\u201d or \u201cn\u201d sound. Basically, for each of these consonants, the tongue comes forward and touches the upper hard palate behind the front teeth, but does not touch the backs of the front teeth<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Lithuanian — tongue tip pressed against the back of the front teeth.
\n<\/strong>In contrast, in Lithuanian these three consonants are pronounced in a \u201cdental\u201d fashion. The sound is made with the tongue pressed against the back of the front teeth. Then, in forming the vowel that follows, the lips also participate, bringing the sound to the very front of the mouth. This is similar to how these consonants are pronounced in Spanish. You can see an animation of how the Spanish pronounce \u201cd\u201d, \u201ct\u201d, and \u201cn\u201d as \u201cdental\u201d consonants, (timed YouTubelinks in the reference section)<\/p>\n

\"\"
How the consonant \u201cd\u201d is pronounced in Spanish, which is similar to how it is pronounced in Lithuanian, in a \u201cdental\u201d fashion.\u00a0 Reproduced with permission from the University of Iowa Phonetics Lab.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One observation: these animations for Spanish pronunciation show the tongue being pressed against the back of the upper front teeth only; when I pronounce these consonants in Lithuanian, my tongue is pressed against the backs of both the lower and upper front teeth, with the tip of my tongue against the backs of the lower front teeth.<\/p>\n

LT — say it; EN — spray it.
\n<\/strong>Also, Americans aspirate the sounds \u201ct\u201d and to a lesser extent \u201cd\u201d. This means that they use more air than necessary to pronounce the consonant. As described in Russian for Dummies<\/em> by Kaufman and Gettys, linguists define aspiration is \u201ca burst of air that comes out of your mouth as you say these sounds. To see what we\u2019re talking about, put your hand in front of your mouth (palm facing downward) and say the word \u2018top.\u2019 You should feel air against the back of your hand as you pronounce the word.\u201d<\/p>\n

In Lithuanian, as in Russian, consonants (this also applies to \u201cp\u201d and \u201ck\u201d) are pronounced without aspiration. What one needs to do when pronouncing \u201ct\u201d is to relax one\u2019s tongue and lips, and use only the amount of air needed to pronounce the consonant, not letting any air slip by the tongue. There should be no puff of air when you say your \u201ct\u201d sounds in Lithuanian. In other words, \u201csay it, don\u2019t spray it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Summary<\/strong>
\nI do believe that in our Lithuanian Saturday schools, where Lithuanian is being taught to American-born children, more attention needs to be paid to pronunciation. Americanized pronunciation of Lithuanian consonants can be easily fixed, but it must first be recognized as correctable.<\/p>\n

References and links:
\n<\/strong>Part 1 has been updated from an article of the same name:\u00a0 Draugas News<\/em>, 2014 (Jan):1:19.\u00a0 For a compilation of the 6 parts in this series in PDF format as originally printed, click here<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n

1)\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Schmalstieg WR. Standard Lithuanian and Its Dialects. Lituanus 28: 1982. http:\/\/www.lituanus.org\/1982_1\/82_1_02.htm<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n

2)\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0University of Iowa Phonology Website (YouTube video):\u00a0 Fon\u00e9tica: Los sonidos de espanol.
\ndental t:\u00a0 https:\/\/youtu.be\/snKsiKqQ4ic?t=39<\/a><\/u>
\ndental d: https:\/\/youtu.be\/snKsiKqQ4ic?t=109<\/a><\/u>
\ndental n: https:\/\/youtu.be\/snKsiKqQ4ic?t=517<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n

3) Russian for Dummies, 2d Edition. Andrew Kaufman and Serafima Gettys. Wiley Publishing, Hoboken, NJ, 2012. Sounding Like a Real Russian with Proper pronunciation. http:\/\/www.dummies.com\/languages\/russian\/sounding-like-a-real-russian-with-proper-pronunciation\/<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n

PART 2: \u201cFat L\u201d vs. \u201cSkinny L\u201d<\/h3>\n

Another common problem for non native Lithuanian speakers trying to learn the language has to do with how they pronounce their \u201cLs.\u201d In English, L is pronounced almost always as a \u201cfat L\u201d.<\/strong> Where the tip of the tongue is, is a bit controversial. Websites say that the tip of the tongue is against the (upper) \u201cgum ridge.\u201d Not for me. When I say it, the tip of my tongue is against the back of the lower front teeth. But the main way to produce a \u201cfat L\u201d is to use the sides of the tongue as well as the tip; the sides of the tongue move forward a bit to fill the space in the back of the teeth to make the \u201cL\u201d sound \u201cfat.\u201d<\/p>\n

In Spanish, French, or German<\/strong>, \u201cL\u201d has a variety of sounds, but in most cases is pronounced as a \u201cskinny L.\u201d<\/strong> The tongue often is up against the upper gum ridge, but the main difference is, that only the tip of the tongue is used in making the sound, the sides of the tongue don’t participate. This makes for a \u201cskinny,\u201d thinner and more delicate, \u201cL\u201d sound. It is a soft \u201cL.\u201d<\/p>\n

I remember going to South America for a World Lithuanian Youth Congress, and meeting Lithuanians who grew up in Argentina, and then, years later, to a similar youth congress in Europe, where I met Lithuanians who grew up in France or Germany. The Lithuanian spoken by some of the South Americans and Europeans sounded quite different, as they would speak Lithuanian almost exclusively using the \u201cskinny L.\u201d On the other hand, Americans would say all Lithuanian words using a \u201cfat L.\u201d<\/p>\n

What about Lithuanian? In Lithuanian,<\/strong> the usage of \u201cfat L\u201d vs. \u201cskinny L\u201d is about 50:50<\/strong>. What determines whether a \u201cfat L\u201d or a \u201cskinny L\u201d should be used? The vowel that follows (marked in bold-underline). If the vowel that follows is an \u201ca,\u201d \u201co,\u201d or \u201cu,\u201d then one uses a \u201cfat L\u201d.<\/strong> For example: kuola<\/strong><\/span>s, kuolo<\/strong><\/span>, kuolu<\/strong><\/span><\/em>.
\nThese words all are pronounced using \u201cfat Ls.\u201d Now, if the vowel that follows is \u201ce,\u201d \u201ci,\u201d or \u201cy,\u201d a \u201cskinny L\u201d should be used<\/strong>; for example: bali<\/strong><\/span>onas, bale<\/strong><\/span>rina, baily<\/strong><\/span>s.<\/em> What makes this tricky is, that even if there is more than one consonant after the \u201cL\u201d, the choice between fat and skinny L still will depend (in most cases) on the vowel that follows.<\/p>\n

For examples: valdo<\/strong><\/span>vas<\/em> (fat); vald\u0117<\/strong><\/span><\/em> (skinny); valdy<\/strong><\/span>ti<\/em> (skinny); vald\u017ei<\/strong><\/span>a<\/em> (skinny).<\/p>\n

Think you got it? After each of the following words, write whether a \u201cfat L\u201d or a \u201cskinny L\u201d should be voiced (write F for \u201cfat\u201d and S for \u201cskinny\u201d):<\/p>\n

bulius<\/em> ____ bilietas<\/em> ____bulka<\/em> ___ kaltas<\/em> ____ kalt\u0117<\/em> ____\u00a0 (SSFFS)<\/p>\n

kaltinti<\/em> ____ kal\u0117<\/em>____ valo<\/em>____ valio<\/em>____ valytuvas<\/em> ____ (SSFSS)<\/p>\n

valentinas<\/em> ____ valgo<\/em>____ valgyti<\/em> ____ valgiau<\/em> ____ (SFSS)<\/p>\n

balvonas<\/em> ____ bulv\u0117<\/em> ____ \u017eilas<\/em> ____ \u017ealias<\/em> ____ (FSFS)<\/p>\n

\u017eol\u0117<\/em> ____ \u017eulikas<\/em> ____ \u017ealsvas<\/em> ____ (SSF)<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

Part 3: The letter “-e”\u00a0 (wet, mad, baby)<\/h3>\n

Now that we know how to pronounce some consonants like \u201cn\u201d, \u201cd\u201d, and \u201ct\u201d (see the January issue) and \u201cfat L\u201d vs. \u201cskinny L\u201d (February issue), it\u2019s time to move on to vowels. In this article we begin with the letter \u201ce\u201d. I\u2019m going to give you a simplified version of how \u201ce\u201d is pronounced in Lithuanian, but the rules I\u2019m proposing are far from perfect; they will not cover all instances, and there are exceptions to some of the rules cited below.<\/p>\n

In Lithuanian, the letter \u201ce\u201d is pronounced in one of 3 ways: (1) like \u201ce\u201d in the word \u201cwet\u201d, (2) like \u201ca\u201d in the word \u201cmad\u201d, and (3) like \u201ca\u201d in the word \u201cbaby\u201d. In this article, I\u2019ll refer to these as the \u201cwet e\u201d, the \u201cmad e\u201d, and the \u201cbaby e\u201d.<\/p>\n

RULE 1.<\/strong> An \u201ce\u201d at the end of the word is almost always pronounced as \u201cwet\u201d, whether or not the last syllable is accented. This includes the \u201ce\u201d found at the end of nouns in the locative case. What\u2019s the locative case? It\u2019s the form of a noun that designates place. As an example: \u201ckieme<\/strong><\/span><\/em>\u201d (in the yard), or \u201cname<\/strong><\/span><\/em>\u201d (in the house) or \u201claiko<\/strong><\/span>tarpyje<\/em>\u201d (in a given time period).\u00a0 Also, in the common, single- syllable words such as \u201cne<\/em>\u201d (meaning \u201cno\u201d) the \u201ce\u201d is pronounced as \u201cwet\u201d. In these examples, by the way, I\u2019m showing the accented syllable of the word in bold-underline.<\/p>\n

RULE 2.<\/strong> NEVER add an unwritten \u201cy\u201d sound to an \u201ce\u201d unless the letter \u201ci\u201d or \u201cy\u201d actually follows. Some newbie speakers of Lithuanian will try to add a \u201cy\u201d onto the \u201cwet e\u201d sound. This makes the syllable sound like \u201chey\u201d. Instead of saying \u201cne\u201d, they say \u201cneigh\u201d or \u201cnay\u201d. This is a no-no.<\/p>\n

RULE 3.<\/strong> If the \u201ce\u201d falls on the accented syllable of a word<\/strong>, unless the accented syllable is the last syllable, then this \u201ce\u201d (usually but not always) is pronounced as \u201cmad\u201d. For example, in the words: \u201cled<\/strong><\/span>as<\/em>\u201d (ice), \u201cde<\/strong><\/span>ga<\/em>\u201d (burns), \u201cke<\/strong><\/span>valas<\/em>\u201d (shell), the \u201ce\u201d is pronounced like the \u201ca\u201d in \u201cmad\u201d.\u00a0 However, there are a substantial number of exceptions to Rule 3. Examples of exceptions are: ken<\/strong><\/span>\u010dia<\/em> (suffers), ves<\/strong><\/span>ti<\/em> (to wed), kren<\/strong><\/span>ta<\/em> (falls), ker<\/strong><\/span>ta<\/em> (cuts). In these words the \u201ce\u201d in the accented syllable is pronounced as \u201cwet\u201d. It\u2019s hard to make a solid rule for these exceptions. For example, in the word riden<\/strong><\/span>ti<\/em> (to roll) the \u201ce\u201d is pronounced as \u201cmad\u201d, while in \u201cken<\/strong><\/span>\u010dia<\/em>\u201d the \u201ce\u201d was \u201cwet\u201d. The most reliable exception is ‘-es<\/em>‘ which is almost always pronounced as “wet”, even at the accented syllable.\u00a0 For example: mes<\/strong>ti (to throw).<\/em><\/p>\n

Other exceptions where the \u201ce\u201d is short (\u201dwet\u201d) despite being in an accented syllable are international words, such as \u010de<\/strong><\/span>kis<\/em> (check) and repre<\/strong><\/span>sija<\/em> (repression).<\/p>\n

RULE 4.<\/strong> If the \u201ce\u201d falls on an unaccented syllable<\/strong> of the word, then it almost always is pronounced as \u201cwet\u201d. Pronunciation of \u201ce\u201d in different forms of the same word can change markedly, depending on where the accent falls. For example, in variations of the word \u201ckel<\/strong><\/span>ti<\/em>\u201d (to lift): we have kel<\/strong><\/span>tas<\/em> (meaning ferry) where the \u201ce\u201d is pronounced as \u201cmad\u201d, and pa<\/strong><\/span>kelia<\/em> (he lifts up), where the \u201ce\u201d is pronounced as \u201cwet\u201d.<\/p>\n

RULE 5 (tailed \u0119).<\/strong> When a tailed \u0119 is at the beginning or middle of word, it is always pronounced as \u201cmad\u201d, whether the syllable is accented or not. At the end of a word, the tailed \u201c\u0119\u201d is pronounced between \u201cwet\u201d and \u201cmad\u201d.<\/p>\n

Tailed \u0119: <\/strong> What about \u201ce nosin\u0117<\/em> (\u0119)\u201d or \u201ctailed e\u201d? In the past, words now written with the letter \u201c\u0119\u201d were pronounced as \u201cen\u201d, and the pronunciation had a certain nasal quality (\u201dnosin\u0117<\/em>\u201d means \u201cnasal\u201d in Lithuanian). You can think of the tail as signifying a hidden, missing \u201cn\u201d that is no longer being written as a separate letter. In more recent years the \u201cn\u201d sound and nasal quality are no longer commonly heard in words with \u201c\u0119\u201d.<\/p>\n

In present-day Lithuanian, when the letter \u201c\u0119\u201d is found at the beginning or in the middle of a word, it\u2019s always pronounced as \u201cmad\u201d. For example, in spr\u0119s<\/strong><\/span>ti<\/em> (to solve) or t\u0119s<\/strong><\/span>ti<\/em> (to extend), the \u201c\u0119\u201d is said as \u201cmad\u201d.\u00a0 When a tailed e (\u0119) falls at the end of a noun, this signifies that the noun is being used in the sentence as the object of a verb or preposition. Example: A\u0161 puo\u0161iu eglu<\/strong><\/span>t\u0119<\/em> (I\u2019m decorating the fir tree). Here the terminal \u201ce\u201d would normally be pronounced as \u201cwet\u201d, because the \u201ce\u201d falls on the last syllable of the word (Rule #1), but because there is a tail on the terminal “e”, most speakers will pronounce such an \u201c\u0119\u201d at the end of a word somewhere between \u201cwet\u201d and \u201cmad\u201d.<\/p>\n

Another type of word where \u201c\u0119\u201d is found commonly in the final syllable is the \u201cdalyvis\u201d<\/em> or participle. Example: Jis s\u0117d\u0117jo nuli\u016b<\/strong><\/span>d\u0119s<\/em> (he was sitting depressed). Here again, the terminal \u201c\u0119\u201d is pronounced between \u201cwet\u201d and \u201cmad\u201d, but closer to \u201cmad\u201d.<\/p>\n

RULE 6.<\/strong> the letter \u201c\u0117\u201d:<\/strong> The letter “\u0117”is always pronounced in the same way, as a very beautiful, wide \u201ce\u201d. This pronunciation is indicated by writing this letter with an overlying dot: \u201c\u0117\u201d. There is no perfect English equivalent for \u201c\u0117\u201d, but the sound is similar to the first syllable of the word \u201cbaby\u201d. It\u2019s not a perfect fit, because in English we say \u201cbey – bee\u201d, and the first syllable is a combination of two vowels (the \u201cwide e\u201d sound followed by the \u201cy\u201d sound). For those who know French, the Lithuanian \u201c\u0117\u201d sound is very similar to the French pronunciation of \u201c\u00e9\u201d. A very close fit is how the French pronounce their term for \u201cbaby\u201d: \u201cb\u00e9b\u00e9\u201d<\/em>. Examples of words with \u201c\u0117\u201d in them are: kar<\/strong><\/span>v\u0117<\/em> (cow), s\u0117<\/strong><\/span>jo<\/em> (he sowed). The pronunciation of \u201c\u0117\u201d is the same, whether the letter falls on an accented or unaccented syllable.<\/p>\n

So, that\u2019s about it. My wife was telling me: \u201cJonai, you were good at consonants, but stay away from the vowels. You\u2019re getting in over your head!\u201d Maybe she was (as always) right.<\/p>\n

Reference:<\/strong> Kazlauskien\u0117 A, Rimkut\u0117 E, Bielinskien\u0117 A. Tartis. Balsiai. Lietuvi\u0173 kalbos kult\u016bra. Kompiuterin\u0117 mokymo priemon\u0117 9-12 klas\u0117ms. 2008 UAB \u0160viesa.<\/p>\n

Part 4: Pronouncing the vowels “-a”,\u00a0 “-i”, and “-y”.\u00a0 (father, bug and bit by a bee)<\/h3>\n

This time, we\u2019re moving on to the vowels \u201c-a\u201d, and \u201c-i\u201d and \u201c-y\u201d.
\nVowel \u201c-a\u201d:<\/strong> For the vowel \u201c-a\u201d the rules are very similar to those for \u201c-e\u201d (see Table, below). The intense, longer sound is pronounced like the \u201ca\u201d in the word \u201cfather\u201d. The short sound is pronounced like \u201cu\u201d in the word \u201cbug\u201d. The longer sound is used when the \u201c-a\u201d falls on an accented syllable, except when the accented syllable is the last syllable of a word. Otherwise, the \u201cbug\u201d form is used. When the \u201c-a\u201d has a tail on it, (\u201c-\u0105\u201d) and is at the beginning or middle of a word, then it\u2019s pronounced like the \u201ca\u201d in \u201cfather\u201d. When the \u201c-\u0105\u201d is at the end of a word, the pronunciation is somewhere between \u201cfather\u201d and \u201cbug\u201d.<\/p>\n

Vowels \u201c-i\u201d, and \u201c-y\u201d.<\/strong> The vowel \u201c-i\u201d is ALWAYS pronounced as a short sound, like the \u201ci\u201d in the word \u201cbit\u201d. This happens even when the \u201c-i\u201d falls on an accented syllable. The long \u201ci\u201d sound, like \u201cbee\u201d, is used only with \u201c-y\u201d or with the tailed -i, \u201c-\u012f\u201d.<\/p>\n

Rules for pronouncing the vowels -a, -e, – i, and -y.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

*there are exceptions<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s look at a few examples. In these examples, the accented syllable of a word is denoted by bold-underline.<\/p>\n

Examples regarding \u201c-a\u201d.
\nAccented syllable, other than last syllable:<\/strong> bal<\/strong><\/span>ius<\/em> (party) – (ba-) pronounced like \u201cfather.\u201d
\nAccented last syllable:<\/strong> \u0161eima<\/strong><\/span><\/em> (family) – (-ma) pronounced like \u201cbug.\u201d
\nUnaccented syllable:<\/strong> paklo<\/strong><\/span>d\u0117<\/em> (blanket) – (pak-) pronounced like \u201cbug\u201d
\nTailed -a (\u0105):<\/strong> \u0105\u017e<\/strong><\/span>uolas<\/em> (oak tree) – (\u0105\u017e-) pronounced like \u201cfather.\u201d
\nTailed -a, last syllable (\u0105):<\/strong> Va\u017eiuojame \u012f mies<\/strong><\/span>t\u0105<\/em> (We\u2019re riding to the city) – (-t\u0105) is pronounced between \u201cfather\u201d and \u201cbug.\u201d<\/p>\n

And here are a few examples regarding \u201c-i\u201d and \u201c-y\u201d.
\nAccented syllable, other than last syllable:<\/strong> \u017ei<\/strong><\/span>las<\/em> (grey-haired) – (\u017eil-<\/em>) pronounced as \u201cbit\u201d.
\nAccented last syllable:<\/strong> pirtis<\/strong><\/span><\/em> (sauna) – (-tis<\/em>) pronounced like \u201cbit\u201d
\nUnaccented syllable:<\/strong> am<\/strong><\/span>\u017einas<\/em> (eternal) – (-\u017ei-<\/em>) pronounced like \u201cbit\u201d
\nTailed -i (\u012f):<\/strong> sugr\u012f\u017e<\/strong><\/span>ti<\/em> (to return) – (-gr\u012f\u017e-) pronounced like \u201cbee\u201d
\nTailed -i, last syllable (\u012f)<\/strong>: A\u0161 myliu savo \u0161u<\/strong><\/span>n\u012f<\/em> (I love my dog) – last syllable of the word \u201c\u0161un\u012f\u201d<\/em> (-n\u012f) pronounced between \u201cbit\u201d and \u201cbee.\u201d
\n\u00a0Vowel y:<\/strong> My<\/strong><\/span>liu<\/em> (I love) – (myl-<\/em>) pronounced as \u201cbee.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, with \u201c-i\u201d the rule is pretty straightforward. Unless tailed, “-i” is basically ALWAYS pronounced like the short form in the word \u201cbit\u201d. I remember as a student meeting Lithuanians from Argentina and France, who like to say their \u201c-i\u201d vowels like \u201cbee\u201d. \u201cMalonu buvo tave pama-tee-tee\u201d (Malonu buvo tave pamatyti<\/em> – It was nice seeing you). Sounded kind of funny but cute.<\/p>\n

Part 5: Pronouncing the vowels “-o” and “-u”.\u00a0 (bore and book of booze)<\/h3>\n

In Review:<\/strong> With this last article on pronunciation of vowels, we have the complete list:<\/p>\n

Rules for pronouncing the vowels -a, -e, – i, and -y.\u00a0 \"\"
\n*there are exceptions
\n**don’t pronounce \u201co\u201d like \u201cow\u201d. Just the pure \u201co\u201d sound by itself!
\n***when \u201c-\u0173\u201d falls on an accented last syllable, it is pronounced like booze.<\/p>\n

Vowel \u201c-o\u201d.<\/strong> This is easy to pronounce in Lithuanian, as it basically is pronounced only one way, like the \u201c-o\u201d in the word bore. Be careful not to pronounce the \u201c-o\u201d like an \u201cow\u201d, for example, like in the word low. Vowels in Lithuanian are pure and are made up of only one sound. It’s actually difficult to come up with a proper example word in English of how to pronounce \u201c-o\u201d correctly, because many English add the \u201cw\u201d sound to their \u201co\u201d sounds. In Lithuanian, just the \u201c-o\u201d sound by itself, please. Do not add the \u201cw\u201d sound!<\/p>\n

Vowel \u201c-u\u201d.<\/strong> The letter \u201c-u\u201d is pronounced like the \u201c-oo\u201d sound in the word book. The pronunciation is roughly the same whether the vowel is found in an accented or unaccented syllable, although some will pronounce it between book and booze when the \u201c-u\u201d makes up the accented syllable of a word. Lithuanians who grew up in South America or some European countries sometimes mispronounce the letter \u201c-u\u201d as booze when is should be pronounced as book.<\/p>\n

The tailed \u201c-\u0173\u201d<\/strong> can be found in the middle of a word or at the end of a word. The tailed \u201c-\u0173\u201d is pronounced like booze (or between book and booze) when in the middle of a word. When at the end of a word, the tailed \u201c-\u0173\u201d is pronounced like booze if the last syllable is accented. If the last syllable is not accented, then the tailed \u201c-\u0173\u201d is pronounced somewhere between book and booze.<\/p>\n

Vowel \u201c-\u016b\u201d.<\/strong> The \u201c-\u016b\u201d sound is the dedicated long form of the vowel, and is always pronounced like booze.<\/p>\n

Let’s look at a few examples. In these examples, the accented syllable of a word is denoted by bold-underline.<\/p>\n

Examples regarding \u201c-o\u201d <\/strong>
\nAccented syllable, other than last syllable:<\/strong> vo<\/strong><\/span>ras<\/em> (spider) – (vo-) pronounced like the bore.
\nUnaccented syllable:<\/strong> ma<\/strong><\/span>no<\/em> (my) – (-no) pronounced like bore.<\/p>\n

Examples regarding \u201c-u\u201d and \u201c-\u0173\u201d <\/strong>
\nAccented syllable, other than last syllable:<\/strong> bu<\/strong><\/span>tas<\/em> (apartment) – (bu-) pronounced like the book.
\nUnaccented syllable:<\/strong> abu<\/strong><\/span>du<\/em> (both) – (-bu- and -du) are each pronounced like book.
\nTailed -u (\u0173), other than last syllable:<\/strong> si\u0173s<\/strong><\/span>ti<\/em> (to send) – (si\u0173-) pronounced between book and booze.
\nTailed -u (\u0173), last syllable, accented:<\/strong> vaist\u0173<\/strong><\/span><\/em> (medicines (possessive case)) – (-t\u0173) pronounced like booze.
\nTailed -u (\u0173), last syllable, unaccented:<\/strong> vaista<\/strong><\/span>\u017eoli\u0173<\/em> (medicinal herbs (possessive case)) – (-li\u0173) pronounced between book and booze.<\/p>\n

Examples regarding \u201c-\u016b\u201d
\n<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 s\u016b<\/strong><\/span>ris<\/em> (cheese) – (s\u016b-) pronounced like booze.<\/p>\n

And here’s your final exam: \u201cU\u017e j\u016b<\/strong><\/span>r\u0173 ma<\/strong><\/span>ri\u0173, u\u017e up<\/strong><\/span>i\u0173 vanden\u0117<\/strong><\/span>li\u0173<\/em>\u201d (beyond the ocean seas, beyond the river waters).<\/p>\n

Please pick up your diplomas on the way out. You are now \u201chabilitated doctors\u201d of Lithuanian vowel pronunciation!<\/p>\n

Part 6 : “Jonas<\/em>, do you love me?” or the “Hey you!” ending for Lithuanian names.<\/h3>\n

You\u2019ve been dating for three months now; you like her and she likes you. With deep, soulful eyes, she looks up at you and asks, \u201cJonas<\/em>, do you love me?\u201d How do you reply? \u201cNo,\u201d of course. Why? All your life, no one has ever addressed you as Jonas;<\/em> rather, your parents, relatives, and siblings always call you Jonai<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Speaking Lithuanian is complicated because nouns have a number of different endings, depending on how the noun is used in a sentence. The endings of the vocative case (\u201cHey, you!\u201d) are useful to know if you hang out with Lithuanians, even if you don\u2019t speak the language, because this affects how you address your friends by name. Let\u2019s talk about boys and girls separately for clarity\u2019s sake. Boy names typically end in -as<\/em> (Jonas, K\u0119stas, Vytas<\/em>), -is<\/em> (Raimis, Gytis<\/em>), or -us<\/em> (Marius, Saulius<\/em>). The names listed in parentheses are in the \u201cbase\u201d form, or nominative case (used when a noun is the subject of a sentence). When using Lithuanian\u00a0 names in English conversation, it\u2019s appropriate to use this base form of the name for just about everything. For example: \u201cAre Jonas, K\u0119stas, Vytas, Raimis, Gytis, Marius<\/em>, and Saulius<\/em> coming to the movies?\u201d However, when you\u2019re addressing the person directly, you should use the \u201cHey, you!\u201d form of the name. How do you change from the base form to the \u201cHey, you!\u201d form? Names ending in -as<\/em> are changed to -ai<\/em>, names ending in -is<\/em> are changed to -i<\/em>, and -us<\/em> name endings are changed to -au<\/em>. For example: \u201cHey, Jon<\/strong><\/span>ai, K\u0119s<\/strong><\/span>tai, Vy<\/strong><\/span>tai, Rai<\/strong><\/span>mi, Gy<\/strong><\/span>ti, Ma<\/strong><\/span>riau, Sau<\/strong><\/span>liau<\/em> – let\u2019s get going.\u201d<\/p>\n

Girl names typically end in -a<\/em> (Milda, R\u016bta<\/em>) or in -\u0117<\/em> (Aust\u0117, Giedr\u0117<\/em>) in the base form, and here the problem is simpler. For girl names that end in -a<\/em>, the \u201cHey, you!\u201d ending is unchanged. So, we can say, \u201cThat Milda<\/em> thinks she\u2019s something else. Hey, Mil<\/span><\/strong>da<\/em>, I really don\u2019t like you!\u201d For names ending in -\u0117<\/em>, the \u201cHey, you!\u201d ending is an -e<\/em> without the dot. For example: \u201cGiedr\u0117<\/em> is a very helpful person. Hey, Gied<\/strong><\/span>re<\/em>,\u00a0 I really appreciate what you did to help out!\u201d<\/p>\n

For children who don\u2019t speak Lithuanian, the \u201cHey you!\u201d case still has an impact when addressing one\u2019s father or grandfather. The word for father is t\u0117velis<\/em>, and for grandfather is senelis<\/em>. If your child goes up to his or her Lithuanian father or grandfather and proudly announces, \u201cT\u0117vel<\/strong><\/span>is, t\u0117vel<\/strong><\/span>is<\/em>, or senel<\/strong><\/span>is, senel<\/strong><\/span>is<\/em>, look what I made!\u201d, it might make t\u0117velis<\/em> or senelis<\/em> feel even more proud if the kid were to say, \u201cT\u0117veli, t\u0117veli<\/em>, or seneli, seneli,<\/em> look what I made!\u201d Note that the \u201cHey, you!\u201d ending for t\u0117velis<\/em> or senelis<\/em> is -i<\/em>, the same as for people names ending with \u201c-is<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

Lithuanian is a tough language, and the \u201cHey, you!\u201d form can be different for nouns other than names. In some instances, nouns ending in -as<\/em> get changed to -e<\/em> (kon<\/strong><\/span>sulas, kon<\/strong><\/span>sule<\/em>), and nouns ending in -is<\/em> may get changed to -ie<\/em> (\u0161un<\/strong><\/span>is, \u0161unie<\/strong><\/span><\/em>), but that\u2019s a topic for another day.<\/p>\n

So, for those women who have found their ideal future husband who happens to be Lithuanian, if you want him to commit to a deeper level of emotional entanglement, when you pop the question, your chances of getting a positive response just might be better if you ask, \u201cJonai<\/em>, do you love me?\u201d (and to Ona, my lovely wife, if you happen to be reading this, this was a purely made up example. It never happened!)<\/p>\n

For a PDF of parts 1 through 6: click here<\/a><\/u>.<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Part 7:\u00a0 Diphthongs and other vowel combinations<\/h3>\n

(added December, 2018)<\/em><\/p>\n

What is a diphthong?\u00a0 \u201cA sound formed by the combination of two vowels in a single syllable, in which the sound begins as one vowel and moves toward another (as in coin, loud, and side ).\u201d\u00a0 So, that\u2019s clear enough.\u00a0 In Lithuanian, as in any language, there are a number of these. Sometimes the way a given diphthong is pronounced depends on the region of the country. One nice thing about diphthong pronunciation is, that it doesn\u2019t depend on the accented syllable as much as regular vowels, although for some diphthongs, the accented syllable can play a minor role in how they are pronounced.<\/p>\n

Note: Some of the vowel combinations discussed below are not true diphthongs in the strict sense.<\/p>\n

How to pronounce diphthongs and vowel combinations that begin with the letters \u201ca\u201d or <\/strong>\u201ce\u201d<\/strong>. <\/strong><\/h4>\n

How to pronounce\u00a0 \u201cau\u201d : <\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u201cloud\u201d or \u201cout\u201d<\/p>\n

The diphthong \u201cau\u201d can be pronounced as either \u201cloud\u201d or as \u201cout\u201d.\u00a0 The first has more of an \u201ca\u201d sound, and the second, more of an \u201co\u201d sound. Either is correct.\u00a0 If you use the \u201cout\u201d pronunciation, people might thing you\u2019re from the Kaunas region.\u00a0 Maybe best to stay in between these two variations.<\/p>\n

So, you can practice with the words: \u00a0pauk<\/em><\/strong>-\u0161tis<\/em> (bird), more like\u00a0\u201cout\u201d;\u00a0 or mau<\/em><\/strong>-dy-tis <\/em>(to swim), more like \u201cloud\u201d.<\/p>\n

How to pronounce \u201cai\u201d:\u00a0 <\/strong>\u201crice\u201d or \u201cride\u201d<\/p>\n

The usual way to pronounce \u201cai\u201d is like \u201crice\u201d. If the \u201cai\u201d falls on the accented part of a word, some Lithuanians will pronounce it more like \u201cride\u201d, with a bit more emphasis on the initial \u201ca\u201d sound.<\/p>\n

You can practice with the words \u201cbaig<\/em><\/strong>-ta<\/em>\u201d (finished),\u00a0 \u201clais<\/em><\/strong>-v\u0117<\/em>\u201d (freedom), and \u201cpa<\/em><\/strong>-baig-\u0117<\/em>\u201d (finished).<\/p>\n

The \u201cride\u201d pronunciation might be heard with words such as \u201clai<\/em><\/strong>-m\u0117<\/em>\u201d (luck), or \u201ckai<\/em><\/strong>-mas<\/em>\u201d (hamlet).<\/p>\n

How to pronounce \u201cei\u201d:\u00a0 <\/strong>\u201clate\u201d or, for some words, blend the \u201ca-\u201d with the \u201c-ie\u201d sounds in \u201claddie.\u201d.<\/p>\n

For most, but not all, words, the diphthong \u201cei\u201d is pronounced the same way as the long \u201ca\u201d in English, for example, like in \u00a0word \u201clate\u201d.<\/p>\n

Practice the words: \u201csei<\/em><\/strong>-mas<\/em>\u201d (parliament),\u00a0 \u201c\u0161ei-ma<\/strong><\/em>\u201d (family), \u201ckrei<\/em><\/strong>-vas<\/em>\u201d (crooked)<\/p>\n

Alternate pronunciation of \u201cei\u201d for certain words:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"
Gomer Pyle on the Andy Griffith show (Citizens Arrest),\u00a0 “That’s what I’m sayin’ .”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/G-VJNJhPCNo?t=90<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n

For one particular group of words, the pronunciation of \u201cei\u201d is substantially different.\u00a0 These words include the verb \u201cleis<\/strong>-ti<\/em>\u201d (to let), \u201ckeik<\/strong>-ti<\/em>\u201d (to curse), \u201cmeis<\/strong>-tras<\/em>\u201d (master craftsman), and I\u2019m sure there are others.\u00a0 In these cases, the \u201cei\u201d is pronounced in a way that has no really good English equivalent.\u00a0 It\u2019s a blend of the \u201ca-\u201d and\u00a0 \u201c-ie\u201d sounds in the word \u201claddie.\u201d\u00a0 Another example: think of how Gomer Pyle on the \u201cAndy Griffith Show\u201d pronounces \u201csay\u201d in \u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019m saying,\u201d (sei<\/strong>-yin<\/em>).<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not easy to figure out if a \u201cei\u201d in a given Lithuanian word should be pronounced as \u201clate\u201d or as \u201claddie.\u201d\u00a0 For example, take the word \u201csvei<\/strong>-kas.<\/em>\u201d\u00a0 The\u00a0\u201cei\u201d sound is pronounced like the\u00a0\u201ca\u201d in the word \u201clate,\u201d but in the related word \u201csvei<\/strong>-ki-nu,<\/em>\u201d the\u00a0\u201cei\u201d sound is pronounced like the combination\u00a0 of the \u201ca-\u201d and\u00a0\u201c-ie\u201d in the word \u201claddie.\u201d<\/p>\n

How to pronounce vowel combinations that begin with the letter \u201ci\u201d. <\/strong><\/h4>\n

How to pronounce \u201cie\u201d:\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0\u201cyet\u201d with a little bit of \u00a0\u201cyear\u201d<\/p>\n

The dipthong \u201cie\u201d\u00a0 is a very commonly used\u00a0 in Lithuanian.\u00a0 It is pronounced mostly as \u201cyet\u201d but there is a bit more \u201cI\u201d in the sound. So, if you take 2 parts \u201cyet\u201d and 1 part \u201cyear\u201d, and add the mixture after the consonant, you\u2019ll be very close.<\/p>\n

Practice the words:\u00a0 \u201ckie<\/em><\/strong>-mas<\/em>\u201d (yard),\u00a0 \u201cmies<\/em><\/strong>-tas<\/em>\u201d (town),\u00a0 \u201cliep<\/em><\/strong>-ti<\/em>\u201d (to command)<\/p>\n

How to pronounce \u201cia\u201d:\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0\u201cy\u201d before \u201ca\u201d with the latter pronounced either as \u201cfather\u201d or \u201cbug\u201d.\u00a0 The \u201cy\u201d sound is very short, and almost disappears, softening the consonant before it. So, the word \u00a0\u201c\u010dia<\/em><\/strong>\u201d (here) is NOT pronounced like chee-ya.<\/p>\n

Practice the words:\u00a0 \u201c\u010dia<\/em><\/strong>\u201d (here)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201culia-vo<\/strong>-ti<\/em>\u201d (chill out, spend time relaxing).<\/p>\n

Keep shortening the initial \u00a0\u201cy\u201d sound until there is almost no \u201cy\u201d sound remaining.\u00a0 The \u201ca\u201d by the way,in these two words is pronounced like \u201cbug\u201d.<\/p>\n

How to pronounce \u201ciau\u201d:\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0\u201cyeow\u201d or \u201cyowzza\u201d<\/p>\n

Think: \u201ckiau<\/em><\/strong>-l<\/em>\u0117<\/em>\u201d (pig),\u00a0 \u201cspiau<\/em><\/strong>-dy-ti<\/em>\u201d\u00a0 (to spit).\u00a0 Here, with regard to the terminal \u201cau\u201d of this \u201ctripthong\u201d, it can be pronounced either like \u201cloud\u201d or \u201cout,\u201d as per the above.<\/p>\n

How to pronounce \u201cio\u201d:\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0\u201cyo\u201d<\/p>\n

This one\u2019s easy.\u00a0 Just like it sounds.<\/p>\n

Practice the words:\u00a0 \u201cnio-ko<\/strong>-ti<\/em>\u201d\u00a0 (lay waste to) ;\u00a0 \u201c\u010dio-nai<\/strong><\/em>\u201d (here);\u00a0 \u201c\u010dio-bre<\/strong>-lis<\/em>\u201d (thyme)<\/p>\n

How to pronounce \u201ciu\u201d or \u201cju\u201d:\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0\u201cyou\u201d<\/p>\n

Again, easy, just remember, that the \u201cy\u201d in front of the \u201cu\u201d (the latter pronounced between \u201cbook\u201d and \u201cbooze\u201d) is very short; so short, in fact, that it should almost disappear!<\/p>\n

Practice the words:\u00a0 \u201csiun-ti-nys<\/strong><\/em>\u201d\u00a0 (package);<\/p>\n

Also, consider:\u00a0 \u201cni\u016b-rus<\/strong><\/em>\u201d\u00a0 (somber).\u00a0 In this case, it\u2019s a long \u201c\u016b\u201d making up the second vowel of the diphthong, so here it is pronounced like \u201cbooze\u201d with a short \u2018y\u2019 in front of it.<\/p>\n

In some words this \u201ciu\u201d diphthong is written as \u201cju\u201d instead of \u201ciu\u201d.\u00a0 For example:<\/p>\n

\u201cpj\u016bk<\/em><\/strong>-las<\/em>\u201d\u00a0 (saw).\u00a0 And then it\u2019s pronounced in exactly the same way.<\/p>\n

How to pronounce vowel combinations that begin with the letter \u201co\u201d. <\/strong><\/h4>\n

How to pronounce \u201coi\u201d or \u201coy\u201d:\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0\u201cboy\u201d<\/p>\n

This is the only vowel combination of note beginning with the letter \u201co\u201d, and pronunciation is straightforward, similar to \u201cboy\u201d in English.<\/p>\n

Practice the words: \u201cOi<\/strong><\/em>\u201d\u00a0 (Oh); \u201ckoj<\/strong>-i-n\u0117<\/em>\u201d\u00a0 (sock, lit. legging); \u201cloy-a–lus<\/strong><\/em>\u201d\u00a0 (loyal);<\/p>\n

In the word \u201ckoj<\/strong>-i-n\u0117<\/em>\u201d, the \u201cj\u201d sound is pronounced like \u201cy\u201d and then the following \u201ci\u201d sort of extends it.\u00a0 The \u201ckoji<\/em>\u201d part is pronounced similar to \u201cboy\u201d and the extra \u201ci\u201d gives a slight emphasis to the \u201ci\u201d sound, but pronounced together, as a diphthong.<\/p>\n

How to pronounce vowel combinations that begin with the letter \u201cu\u201d. <\/strong><\/h4>\n

How to pronounce \u201cui\u201d:\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0\u201cLouie\u201d<\/p>\n

This combo is a true diphthong.\u00a0 In the English word \u00a0\u201cLouie\u201d, the terminal “ee” sound is more prominent than in the Lithuanian \u201cui\u201d, and the initial “oo”sound is also less prominent in Lithuanian, so it is not an exact match.\u00a0 I have not been able to think of a pure English equivalent, but if you say \u201cLouie\u201d quickly, blending the initial “oo” sound and the terminal “ee” sound, keeping both sounds short, you will come close to the Lithuanian \u201cui\u201d.<\/p>\n

Practice the words: \u201cmui<\/strong>-las<\/em>\u201d\u00a0 (soap); \u201cpui-kus<\/strong><\/em>\u201d\u00a0 (splendid);<\/p>\n

How to pronounce \u201cuo\u201d:\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0\u201cwar\u201d<\/p>\n

This is a very common vowel combination, as it is present in the plural locative case (signifying location) of nouns, usually as \u201c-uose\u201d.\u00a0 The pronunciation is similar to the English word \u201cwar\u201d<\/p>\n

Practice the words: \u201ctuo-se<\/strong><\/em>\u201d\u00a0 (in those); \u201ctuok<\/strong>-tis<\/em>\u201d\u00a0 (to get married);<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\n
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by Jonas Daugirdas. (updated 24 Dec 2018 with section on diphthongs).\u00a0 PART 1: Pronunciation of consonants d, t, and n. Many children of Lithuanian families who were raised in America pronounce certain consonants when speaking Lithuanian in a way that makes their spoken Lithuanian quickly identifiable as non-native. One little discussed problem that can cause …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[203,161],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4769","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","","category-education","category-language"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4769","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4769"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4769\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8014,"href":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4769\/revisions\/8014"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4769"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4769"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}