Signification
Being completely different.
Contexte culturel
The contrast of light and dark is central to Lithuanian identity, often reflected in 'sutartinės' (polyphonic songs) where opposing voices create harmony. The Sun (Saulė) and Moon (Mėnulis) are the ultimate symbols of this idiom, representing a cosmic separation that defines the passage of time. In cities like Vilnius, the contrast between the 'Old Town' (Senamiestis) and the 'New Center' (Šnipiškės) is often described using this phrase. Traditional heavy dishes (like cepelinai) vs. modern light salads are often compared this way by the older generation.
Use it for 'Before and After'
It's the best phrase to use when you've improved something, like your Lithuanian skills!
Don't decline it
Keep 'naktis' and 'diena' in their basic forms. Don't try to change the endings.
Signification
Being completely different.
Use it for 'Before and After'
It's the best phrase to use when you've improved something, like your Lithuanian skills!
Don't decline it
Keep 'naktis' and 'diena' in their basic forms. Don't try to change the endings.
Add 'skiriasi'
Using the verb 'skiriasi' (differ) before the idiom makes you sound like a native speaker.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Mano sesuo mėgsta sportą, o aš mėgstu knygas. Mes esame kaip ______ ir ______.
The standard idiom uses 'naktis' and 'diena'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct comparison:
Idiomatic comparisons in Lithuanian use the nominative case.
Match the situation to the best use of the idiom.
Which situation fits 'kaip naktis ir diena'?
The idiom is for things that are completely different.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ar tau patinka naujas butas? B: Taip! Senas buvo mažas ir tamsus, o šis – didelis ir šviesus. Jie ______.
The speaker is contrasting a bad apartment with a good one.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Contrast Comparison
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMano sesuo mėgsta sportą, o aš mėgstu knygas. Mes esame kaip ______ ir ______.
The standard idiom uses 'naktis' and 'diena'.
Choose the correct comparison:
Idiomatic comparisons in Lithuanian use the nominative case.
Which situation fits 'kaip naktis ir diena'?
The idiom is for things that are completely different.
A: Ar tau patinka naujas butas? B: Taip! Senas buvo mažas ir tamsus, o šis – didelis ir šviesus. Jie ______.
The speaker is contrasting a bad apartment with a good one.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
6 questionsYes, both orders are correct and understood, but 'naktis ir diena' is slightly more common in speech.
No, it's neutral. It just means they are different, not that one is better than the other.
It is neutral. You can use it in a business meeting or with friends.
'Kaip' means 'as' or 'like' and is necessary to create the comparison.
Usually, it's used for two things. If you have three, it's better to say 'jie visi labai skirtingi'.
No, that would be 'dieną ir naktį' (in the accusative). 'Kaip naktis ir diena' only means 'different'.
Expressions liées
dangus ir žemė
similarHeaven and earth
juoda ir balta
similarBlack and white
kaip du vandens lašai
contrastLike two drops of water
skirtingas
synonymDifferent
