Signification
To be speechless or silent.
Contexte culturel
In rural traditions, a 'long tongue' (ilgas liežuvis) was a sign of a gossip, while 'no tongue' was a sign of a coward. Balance was key. Silence is often respected in Baltic cultures, but in social settings, failing to greet or respond is a major faux pas. On social media, if someone doesn't reply to a comment, others might post a '🤐' emoji as a digital version of this idiom. Teachers frequently use this idiom to encourage participation, though modern pedagogy is moving away from it as it can be seen as slightly shaming.
The 'Why' Question
If you want to sound like a native, use it as a rhetorical question: 'Ar liežuvio neturi?' when someone isn't answering you.
Case Alert
Never say 'neturiu liežuvį'. It's the most common mistake for beginners. Negation = Genitive!
Signification
To be speechless or silent.
The 'Why' Question
If you want to sound like a native, use it as a rhetorical question: 'Ar liežuvio neturi?' when someone isn't answering you.
Case Alert
Never say 'neturiu liežuvį'. It's the most common mistake for beginners. Negation = Genitive!
Don't be too mean
Be careful with the tone. It can sound like you are calling someone a coward if said too aggressively.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'liežuvis' (remember the case!).
Kodėl tu tyli? Ar neturi _______?
After the negative verb 'neturi', we must use the Genitive case 'liežuvio'.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: You are at a party and your friend is too shy to talk to anyone.
This is the standard way to ask a shy person why they aren't talking.
Complete the dialogue.
Mokytoja: 'Jonai, kur tavo namų darbai?' Jonas: '...' Mokytoja: 'Na, Jonai, ar _______?'
The teacher is noting Jonas's silence while he's in trouble.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Neturėti vs. Turėti
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesKodėl tu tyli? Ar neturi _______?
After the negative verb 'neturi', we must use the Genitive case 'liežuvio'.
Situation: You are at a party and your friend is too shy to talk to anyone.
This is the standard way to ask a shy person why they aren't talking.
Mokytoja: 'Jonai, kur tavo namų darbai?' Jonas: '...' Mokytoja: 'Na, Jonai, ar _______?'
The teacher is noting Jonas's silence while he's in trouble.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt depends on the tone. It's usually a lighthearted tease, but if shouted, it can be rude.
Yes! 'Aš neturiu liežuvio' is a great way to admit you are shy or overwhelmed.
'Neturėti' is a state (being quiet), 'praryti' is an action (suddenly becoming quiet).
Yes, you must change it to match the person (neturiu, neturi, neturime, etc.).
Rarely. It's mostly a spoken idiom or used in informal fiction.
No, that is not a standard idiom in Lithuanian.
Not really. 'Turėti liežuvį' just means you have the physical organ or the ability to speak, but it's not an idiom for being eloquent.
The closest equivalent is 'Ar liežuvio neturi?' or 'Ar katė liežuvį nukando?'.
Yes, because humans (usually) only have one tongue.
Only if you have a very close, joking relationship. Otherwise, it's too informal.
Expressions liées
Praryti liežuvį
similarTo swallow one's tongue.
Laikyti liežuvį už dantų
builds onTo keep one's tongue behind teeth.
Ilgas liežuvis
contrastA long tongue.
Liežuvis niežti
contrastThe tongue is itching.
