Bedeutung
Asking for the current time.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Lithuanians are very punctual. If you ask for the time and realize you are late for a meeting, it is customary to apologize immediately. In Lithuanian universities, the 'Academic Quarter' allows students to arrive 15 minutes after the hour, but this does not apply to exams! In big cities like Vilnius, people often ask for the time to check if the 'troleibusas' is following the schedule shown at the stop. It is considered polite to use 'Atsiprašau' (Excuse me) before asking a stranger 'Kiek dabar laiko?'. Jumping straight to the question can seem slightly blunt.
Politeness First
Always start with 'Atsiprašau' when asking a stranger. It makes a huge difference in how you are perceived.
The 'Yra' Omission
Native speakers almost never say 'Kiek dabar yra laiko?'. Dropping the 'yra' (is) makes you sound much more natural.
Bedeutung
Asking for the current time.
Politeness First
Always start with 'Atsiprašau' when asking a stranger. It makes a huge difference in how you are perceived.
The 'Yra' Omission
Native speakers almost never say 'Kiek dabar yra laiko?'. Dropping the 'yra' (is) makes you sound much more natural.
Genitive Case
Remember it's 'laiko', not 'laikas'. Using the nominative is a very obvious beginner mistake.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word to ask for the time.
Kiek ______ laiko?
'Dabar' means 'now' and is the standard middle word in this phrase.
Which of these is the correct way to ask for the time in Lithuanian?
Choose the correct phrase:
This is the standard grammatical form using 'kiek' and the genitive 'laiko'.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
You are at a train station and your phone is dead. What do you say to a stranger?
This is the most polite and direct way to ask for the current time.
Complete the dialogue.
Jonas: Atsiprašau, kiek dabar laiko? Aistė: Dabar yra _________.
'Penkta valanda' (five o'clock) is a logical answer to a time inquiry.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenKiek ______ laiko?
'Dabar' means 'now' and is the standard middle word in this phrase.
Choose the correct phrase:
This is the standard grammatical form using 'kiek' and the genitive 'laiko'.
You are at a train station and your phone is dead. What do you say to a stranger?
This is the most polite and direct way to ask for the current time.
Jonas: Atsiprašau, kiek dabar laiko? Aistė: Dabar yra _________.
'Penkta valanda' (five o'clock) is a logical answer to a time inquiry.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenYes, in casual conversation, 'Kiek laiko?' is very common and perfectly understood.
Neither is 'better', but 'Kiek dabar laiko?' is more common in spoken Lithuanian, while 'Kelinta valanda?' is slightly more formal.
You can say 'Dabar yra [number] valanda'. For example: 'Dabar yra penkta valanda'.
Because the word 'kiek' (how much) always requires the genitive case in Lithuanian grammar.
No, 'dabar' (now) adds emphasis that you want the current time, but 'Kiek laiko?' is often enough.
Use 'Kiek tada buvo laiko?' (How much time was it then?).
Not at all, as long as you are polite and use 'Atsiprašau'.
Less often, but it's still used if someone's hands are full, they are exercising, or their battery died.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Kelinta valanda?
similarWhich hour is it?
Kiek laiko?
specialized formHow much time?
Laiku
builds onOn time
Vėluoti
contrastTo be late
