Signification
Used when something is stupid or untrue.
Contexte culturel
Lithuanians value 'common sense' (sveikas protas) highly. Calling something 'nesąmonė' is a way of defending this cultural value against chaos or lies. In the post-Soviet era, 'nesąmonė' was often used to describe the absurd bureaucracy that people had to navigate. It became a word of resistance. Younger Lithuanians use 'nesąmonė' almost as a filler word to express any minor inconvenience or disagreement, similar to 'this is so dumb' in English. On Lithuanian forums and comment sections, 'nesąmonė' is the standard way to dismiss an argument you don't like, often leading to 'nesąmonių karai' (wars of nonsense).
Add 'Visiška'
To sound more like a native, always add 'visiška' (complete) before 'nesąmonė' when you are really annoyed.
Watch the Register
Don't use this word with your Lithuanian grandmother unless you're joking; it can sound a bit disrespectful.
Signification
Used when something is stupid or untrue.
Add 'Visiška'
To sound more like a native, always add 'visiška' (complete) before 'nesąmonė' when you are really annoyed.
Watch the Register
Don't use this word with your Lithuanian grandmother unless you're joking; it can sound a bit disrespectful.
The 'Kažkokia' nuance
Adding 'kažkokia' (some kind of) makes the dismissal sound more casual and dismissive: 'Nesąmonė kažkokia'.
The Skeptic's Tool
Lithuanians use this word to bond over shared frustration. It's not always negative; it's often a way to agree that a situation is crazy.
Teste-toi
Which is the most natural way to react to a friend saying 'I can fly'?
Draugas sako: 'Aš moku skristi'. Ką tu sakai?
Since flying is impossible for humans, 'Nesąmonė!' is the correct reaction to nonsense.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'nesąmonė'.
Nustok kalbėti _________ (plural).
The verb 'kalbėti' takes the accusative case for the object. 'Nesąmones' is the accusative plural.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situacija: Jūs matote labai brangų, bet prastą produktą.
When something is expensive but poor quality, it is 'visiška nesąmonė'.
Fill in the missing line.
A: Rytoj mokykla bus uždaryta, nes sninga. B: _________! Lauke tik viena snaigė.
B is disagreeing with A's exaggerated claim.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Formal vs Informal Disagreement
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesDraugas sako: 'Aš moku skristi'. Ką tu sakai?
Since flying is impossible for humans, 'Nesąmonė!' is the correct reaction to nonsense.
Nustok kalbėti _________ (plural).
The verb 'kalbėti' takes the accusative case for the object. 'Nesąmones' is the accusative plural.
Situacija: Jūs matote labai brangų, bet prastą produktą.
When something is expensive but poor quality, it is 'visiška nesąmonė'.
A: Rytoj mokykla bus uždaryta, nes sninga. B: _________! Lauke tik viena snaigė.
B is disagreeing with A's exaggerated claim.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it is not a swear word. It is informal and can be rude, but it's safe to use in general company.
Not directly. You wouldn't say 'Tu esi nesąmonė'. You would say 'Tavo elgesys yra nesąmonė' (Your behavior is nonsense).
'Melas' is a lie (intentional). 'Nesąmonė' is nonsense (can be a lie, or just something stupid/illogical).
You can say 'Tai krūva nesąmonių' or 'Tai visiška nesąmonė'.
Only in very informal internal chats. In a meeting, use 'Tai nelogiška' (That is illogical).
The plural is 'nesąmonės'. It is used when referring to multiple points or a long speech of nonsense.
Technically 'nesąmonėlė' exists, but it's rarely used and sounds quite strange/sarcastic.
No. For a positive 'No way!' (like 'Wow!'), use 'Rimtai?' or 'Negali būti!'. 'Nesąmonė' is almost always negative/skeptical.
'Nesąmonė' is more common and universal. 'Pievos' is more idiomatic and popular among younger people.
In modern Lithuanian, it's just a long 'o' sound. Don't try to pronounce it through your nose (it's no longer nasal).
Expressions liées
Pievos
synonymMeadows; talking nonsense
Briedas
synonymMoose-talk; rubbish
Niekai
similarTrifles / Nothings
Absurdas
similarAbsurdity
Melas
contrastA lie
Nusišnekėti
builds onTo talk oneself into nonsense
