How to Say Merry Christmas in Lithuanian

Europe

Nov 3

Written by Kelsey Cecil

Merry Christmas in Lithuanian

Linksmų Kalėdų

Say it like this: link-SMOO kah-LAY-doo

Big letters show the part to say louder.

Quick answer

In Lithuanian, Merry Christmas is Linksmų Kalėdų, said like link-SMOO kah-LAY-doo.
Happy New Year is Laimingų Naujųjų metų.
People say it in Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, Belarus and more.

What Linksmų Kalėdų means

Word for word it is 'linksmų' (of merry, cheerful) plus 'Kalėdų' (of Christmas). Lithuanian uses a grammar form meaning 'of', so it reads like 'of merry Christmas', a wish for merry Christmases.

Other ways to say it in Lithuanian

Su Kalėdomis

Say it like this: soo kah-LAY-doh-mis

Means 'with Christmas'. A short, friendly greeting for friends and family.

Happy New Year

Laimingų Naujųjų metų

Say it like this: lye-MEEN-goo now-YOO-yoo MEH-too

happy new year, word for word 'happy new years'

To write in a Christmas card

Linksmų Kalėdų ir laimingų Naujųjų metų

Say it like this: link-SMOO kah-LAY-doo eer lye-MEEN-goo now-YOO-yoo MEH-too

Where people speak Lithuanian

LithuaniaPolandLatviaBelarusUnited KingdomUnited States

Lithuanian (lietuvių) belongs to the Indo-European, Baltic language family.

Say it with Rally on Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, Rally the corgi rides the Christmas Train to more than 100 places and teaches kids how to say Merry Christmas at every stop. Practice Lithuanian today, then follow his trip.

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Christmas traditions where people speak Lithuanian

Kūčios, the Christmas Eve supper: Kūčios is the Christmas Eve dinner and the most important meal of the year. It usually has 12 dishes, one for each of the apostles, and none contain meat. Fish, kūčiukai pastries and poppy milk are favourites.^[2][1]
Straw under the tablecloth: Straw is spread on the table and covered with a white cloth, to remind people of the manger. Children may pull out a straw: a long one means a long life, and a thick one means a rich and happy life.^[1]
The empty place and the wafers: At the centre of the table is a plate of Christmas wafers, one for each person. Families often leave an empty place with a lit candle for someone who cannot come or has died, and they share the wafers first.^[1][2]

🎄 Quick game: Merry Christmas in Lithuanian

Three quick questions for kids. Tap an answer to play.

Say Merry Christmas in more languages

See all 103 languages →

Questions parents ask

How do you say Merry Christmas in Lithuanian?

The most common way to say Merry Christmas in Lithuanian is Linksmų Kalėdų. It is pronounced "link-SMOO kah-LAY-doo". Lithuanians also say the shorter Su Kalėdomis, meaning with Christmas, to friends and family. Both are friendly and used in messages and on cards.^[3]

How do you pronounce Merry Christmas in Lithuanian?

Say it like this: link-SMOO kah-LAY-doo. The capital letters show the stressed syllable. The letter ė is a long, closed e, close to the ay in say, and ų is a long oo sound. The stress falls on the last syllable of Linksmų and on the LĖ of Kalėdų.

What does Merry Christmas mean word for word in Lithuanian?

Word for word it is 'linksmų' (of merry, cheerful) plus 'Kalėdų' (of Christmas). Lithuanian uses the genitive, a grammar form meaning 'of', so it reads like 'of merry Christmas'. It works as a wish for merry Christmases, and the same pattern is used in many Lithuanian holiday wishes.^[3]

How do you write Merry Christmas in Lithuanian?

Write it as Linksmų Kalėdų. Lithuanian uses special marks: the nosinė on ų (a small tail) and the dot over ė. Keep them because they change the sound. Capitalise Kalėdų as the name of the holiday.

How do you say Happy New Year in Lithuanian?

Happy New Year in Lithuanian is Laimingų Naujųjų metų, pronounced "lye-MEEN-goo now-YOO-yoo MEH-too". Word for word it is 'happy new years', and the plural is part of the usual wish. Lithuanians wish it on December 31 and January 1.^[4]

Is there a formal and a casual way to say Merry Christmas in Lithuanian?

Linksmų Kalėdų is friendly and also fine at school and work. Su Kalėdomis, meaning with Christmas, is shorter and works well for messages to family and friends. Neither one is rude, so children can use either.^[3]

When do people say Merry Christmas in Lithuanian?

People say it in December, on cards and at school, and above all on Christmas Eve, Kūčios, and Christmas Day. They also add Laimingų Naujųjų metų for a joint wish for the new year, often in the same card or message.^[1]

Which day is the main Christmas celebration for Lithuanian speakers: Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Christmas Eve, December 24, is more important than Christmas Day for Lithuanians. The family supper, Kūčios, is held then, after the first star appears. Many people go to Midnight Mass, called Bernelių mišios, meaning the Shepherds' Mass.^[2][1]

What is Kūčios?

Kūčios is the Christmas Eve dinner and the most important meal of the year. It usually has 12 dishes, one for each of the apostles, and none contain meat. Fish, kūčiukai pastries and poppy milk are favourites. Straw under the tablecloth and an empty place for absent loved ones are also part of it.^[2][1]

How can I teach Merry Christmas in Lithuanian to kids?

Teach the shorter Su Kalėdomis first, since it is easy. Then add Linksmų Kalėdų. Make straw stars together and say the greeting each time a child finishes one. Pulling a straw from under a cloth, as at Kūčios, is a fun way to practise.

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor by Leslie Dunn. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.

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