Signification
When something is illogical or disconnected.
Contexte culturel
Lithuanians value 'sveikas protas' (common sense) highly. Calling something 'be ryšio' is a common social corrective to bring people back to reality. Lithuania's rapid digitalization in the 90s made tech metaphors very popular. 'Be ryšio' is the most successful of these linguistic imports. Among teenagers, 'be ryšio' can also mean 'uncool' or 'weird' in a negative way, similar to 'cringe' in English. In rural areas, the phrase is still used more literally for signal, while in cities like Vilnius, the figurative meaning dominates.
Use it for 'Cringe'
If you see something socially awkward or 'cringe', 'be ryšio' is the perfect Lithuanian equivalent.
Watch the Case
Always use 'ryšio' (genitive). Saying 'be ryšys' is a dead giveaway that you are a beginner.
Signification
When something is illogical or disconnected.
Use it for 'Cringe'
If you see something socially awkward or 'cringe', 'be ryšio' is the perfect Lithuanian equivalent.
Watch the Case
Always use 'ryšio' (genitive). Saying 'be ryšys' is a dead giveaway that you are a beginner.
Add 'Visiškai'
To sound like a native, add 'visiškai' (completely) before 'be ryšio' when you are truly baffled.
Don't be too mean
Calling a stranger's idea 'be ryšio' can be rude. Keep it for friends or general situations.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
Aš nieko nesuprantu, ką tu sakai. Tavo kalba yra visiškai ___.
The idiom is 'be ryšio' (without signal/logic).
Match the situation to the correct use of 'be ryšio'.
Which situation is a LITERAL use of 'be ryšio'?
Literal 'be ryšio' refers to telecommunications signal.
Choose the most natural response.
Mantas: 'Vakar mačiau ateivį parduotuvėje!' Tu: '___'
Calling someone 'be ryšio' is a common way to say they are talking nonsense.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ar gali man atsiųsti tą failą? B: Negaliu, dabar esu kaime ir esu visiškai ___.
In this context, it means having no internet/phone signal in the countryside.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesAš nieko nesuprantu, ką tu sakai. Tavo kalba yra visiškai ___.
The idiom is 'be ryšio' (without signal/logic).
Which situation is a LITERAL use of 'be ryšio'?
Literal 'be ryšio' refers to telecommunications signal.
Mantas: 'Vakar mačiau ateivį parduotuvėje!' Tu: '___'
Calling someone 'be ryšio' is a common way to say they are talking nonsense.
A: Ar gali man atsiųsti tą failą? B: Negaliu, dabar esu kaime ir esu visiškai ___.
In this context, it means having no internet/phone signal in the countryside.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, you can say 'Internetas be ryšio', but it's more common to say 'Nėra interneto'.
It's informal and can be blunt, but it's not a swear word. Use it with people you know.
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but you can say 'logiška' (logical) or 'su ryšiu' (literally having signal).
Only in modern dialogue or informal essays. You won't find it in 19th-century literature.
No, it doesn't mean being alone, only being disconnected from logic or signal.
Yes, it implies you won't be answering your phone or you're mentally unavailable.
Use 'Tai neturi prasmės' or 'Tai nelogiška'.
In this idiom, no. 'Be ryšių' means something else (without social connections).
It's used everywhere, but urban youth use the figurative meaning more frequently.
Absolutely. 'Šita knyga visiškai be ryšio'.
Expressions liées
Pjauti grybą
synonymTo talk nonsense or do something poorly
Nusišnekėti
similarTo say something stupid or irrelevant
Nusišvilpti
contrastTo not care
Varyti į pievas
similarTo go off-topic or talk nonsense
Neturėti prasmės
similarTo have no meaning
