A1 Expression Neutre

Ar galima?

Is it possible? / May I?

Phrase in 30 Seconds

The ultimate Lithuanian 'skeleton key' for asking permission or checking if something is possible in any social situation.

Means: 'Is it possible?' or 'May I?' depending on the context.
Used in: Entering rooms, ordering food, or asking for a seat.
Don't confuse: With 'Galiu?', which focuses on your physical ability.

❓ + ✅ = 🤝 (Question + Permission = Smooth Interaction)

Explanation at your level:

This is a basic phrase to ask 'May I?' or 'Is it possible?'. You use it with a verb like 'užeiti' (to enter) or 'paimti' (to take). It is very useful for travelers and beginners in shops or cafes.

At this level, you learn that 'Ar galima?' is an impersonal expression. You can use it to order things by adding a noun in the genitive case, like 'Ar galima kavos?'. It helps you sound more natural and polite in daily interactions.

Intermediate learners use 'Ar galima?' to navigate more complex social situations. You can soften the request using the conditional 'būtų', resulting in 'Ar būtų galima...?'. This shows a better grasp of Lithuanian social nuances and modal verbs.

Upper-intermediate students understand the distinction between 'galima' (possibility/permission) and 'galiu' (capability). They can use 'Ar galima' in professional contexts to frame requests diplomatically, often combining it with complex infinitives or subordinate clauses.

Advanced learners analyze 'Ar galima?' as a neuter passive participle functioning as a predicate. They understand its role in the broader system of Lithuanian evidentiality and modality, recognizing how it avoids specifying an agent to maintain social distance and formal decorum.

At the mastery level, one appreciates the historical development of the neuter form in Baltic syntax. The speaker can manipulate the phrase's prosody and context to convey subtle shades of irony, extreme deference, or bureaucratic authority, fully mastering the pragmatic implications of impersonal constructions.

Signification

Asking for permission.

🌍

Contexte culturel

In Lithuania, it is considered polite to ask 'Ar galima?' even if you are fairly sure the answer is yes. It shows you respect the other person's domain. In formal business meetings, using 'Ar būtų galima...' followed by a suggestion is a way to be assertive without being aggressive. When dining at a Lithuanian home, always ask 'Ar galima padėti?' (May I help?) after the meal. Even if the host says no, the offer is expected. On public transport, 'Ar galima praeiti?' is much more polite than just saying 'Atsiprašau' (Excuse me) while pushing through.

💡

The Magic Word

If you forget every other Lithuanian word, 'Ar galima?' plus pointing at something will get you through 90% of travel situations.

⚠️

Don't be too blunt

Avoid saying just 'Galima!' as a question. It can sound demanding. Always include the 'Ar' for politeness.

Signification

Asking for permission.

💡

The Magic Word

If you forget every other Lithuanian word, 'Ar galima?' plus pointing at something will get you through 90% of travel situations.

⚠️

Don't be too blunt

Avoid saying just 'Galima!' as a question. It can sound demanding. Always include the 'Ar' for politeness.

🎯

The Genitive Rule

When asking for things (coffee, water, help), always use the genitive case. It makes you sound like a native speaker instantly.

💬

Eye Contact

When asking 'Ar galima?', make brief eye contact and give a small nod. It reinforces the politeness of the phrase.

Teste-toi

Fill in the blank to ask if you can enter the room.

Ar _______ užeiti?

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : galima

'Galima' is the standard impersonal form for asking permission.

Which is the most polite way to ask for coffee?

Choose the best option:

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Ar būtų galima kavos?

Adding 'būtų' (would be) makes the request more conditional and therefore more polite.

Match the phrase to the situation.

Situation: You want to take a photo of a street artist.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Ar galima jus nufotografuoti?

'Nufotografuoti' means to take a photo.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Ar galima čia atsisėsti? B: ________, čia užimta.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Atsiprašau

If the seat is taken (užimta), the polite response starts with 'Atsiprašau' (Sorry).

🎉 Score : /4

Aides visuelles

Common Objects with Ar Galima

🍎

Food/Drink

• Kavos (Coffee)
• Vandens (Water)
• Sąskaitą (Bill)

🏃

Actions

• Užeiti (Enter)
• Paklausti (Ask)
• Atsisėsti (Sit)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, it's perfectly fine! It sounds polite and well-mannered. For a more relaxed vibe, you can just say 'Galima?'.

'Ar galima?' asks if an action is permitted or possible in general. 'Ar galiu?' asks if I personally have the ability or permission. 'Galima' is usually safer and more polite.

If yes, say 'Taip, prašom' (Yes, please) or 'Galima'. If no, say 'Atsiprašau, negalima' (Sorry, it's not possible).

It is neutral. It works in both formal and informal settings. To make it very formal, use 'Ar būtų galima?'.

Absolutely. 'Ar galima kavos?' is a very common and polite way to order.

'Galima' is the neuter form. In Lithuanian, impersonal statements (where there is no 'he', 'she', or 'I' as the subject) always use the neuter gender.

It means 'It is forbidden' or 'It is not possible'. You will see this on signs (e.g., 'Rūkyti negalima' - No smoking).

Not directly. You would say 'Ar galima paklausti, kiek dabar valandų?' (May I ask what time it is?).

Yes, often shortened to 'Galima?' or even 'Gal?' in very casual slang, though 'Gal?' usually means 'Maybe?'.

Yes, it functions exactly like the Russian 'Можно?' (Mozhno?), but the words are not etymologically related.

Expressions liées

🔗

Ar būtų galima?

specialized form

Would it be possible?

🔗

Negalima

contrast

It is not allowed / impossible

🔗

Ar laisva?

similar

Is it free?

🔗

Prašom

builds on

Please / You're welcome

🔗

Galiu?

similar

Can I?

Où l'utiliser

☕

In a Cafe

Klientas: Ar galima šitą staliuką?

Padavėja: Taip, prašom sėstis.

neutral

💼

At the Office

Darbuotojas: Ar galima užeiti minutei?

Vadovas: Taip, užeikite.

formal

🚌

Public Transport

Keleivis: Ar galima praeiti?

Kitas keleivis: Atsiprašau, tuoj pasitrauksiu.

neutral

🏠

At a Friend's House

Svečias: Ar galima vandens?

Draugas: Aišku, įsipilk virtuvėje.

informal

📚

In a Library

Lankytojas: Ar galima čia krauti kompiuterį?

Bibliotekininkė: Taip, ten yra rozetė.

neutral

📸

Street Photography

Turistas: Ar galima jus nufotografuoti?

Praeivis: Gerai, jokių problemų.

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Ar' as a question mark and 'Galima' as 'Gala' (the end/limit). You are asking if you have reached the 'limit' of what is allowed.

Visual Association

Imagine a polite person standing at a golden gate, holding a sign that says 'AR GALIMA?'. The gate opens only when the phrase is spoken with a smile.

Rhyme

Ar galima, ar ne? Paklausk mane!

Story

A traveler named Artas (Ar) arrives at a magical gallery (Galima). He can't enter any room without asking the guard 'Ar galima?'. If he forgets, the doors turn into stone.

Word Web

galėtigalimybėnegalimapagalbagalingasgalasgalbūt

Défi

Go to a local shop or cafe and use 'Ar galima...?' at least three times today—to ask for a menu, a seat, or the bill.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

¿Se puede?

Spanish uses the reflexive 'se', while Lithuanian uses the neuter participle 'galima'.

French moderate

Est-ce que c'est possible ?

French often prefers personal forms (I can) over impersonal ones (It is possible).

German high

Darf man?

German uses a specific modal verb for permission, whereas Lithuanian uses a form of 'to be able'.

Japanese moderate

いいですか (Ii desu ka?)

Japanese focuses on the 'goodness' of the action, Lithuanian on its 'possibility'.

Arabic high

ممكن؟ (Mumkin?)

Arabic often omits the question marker, relying on intonation.

Chinese high

可以吗? (Kěyǐ ma?)

Chinese 'kěyǐ' is a verb, while Lithuanian 'galima' is a participle.

Korean moderate

돼요? (Dwaeyo?)

The literal concept of 'becoming' is unique to Korean.

Portuguese high

Pode-se?

Portuguese often drops the reflexive 'se' in casual Brazilian speech.

Easily Confused

Ar galima? vs Ar galiu?

Learners use 'Ar galiu?' for permission, but it sounds like they are asking about their physical capability.

Use 'Galima' for permission (Is it allowed?) and 'Galiu' for ability (Am I able?).

Ar galima? vs Ar reikia?

Both start with 'Ar', but 'reikia' means 'is it necessary?'.

Think: Galima = Permission, Reikia = Necessity.

FAQ (10)