Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'rodyti dantis' when someone stops being passive and starts defending themselves or acting aggressively to show their power.
- Means: To act in a threatening or assertive way to protect oneself.
- Used in: Business negotiations, sports, or when standing up to a bully.
- Don't confuse: With a literal visit to the dentist or simply smiling.
Explication à ton niveau :
Signification
To be aggressive or threatening.
Contexte culturel
The wolf is a central figure in Lithuanian mythology. Showing teeth is seen as a 'wolf-like' trait of a survivor. In Lithuanian business, being too aggressive early on is disliked, but 'showing teeth' at the right moment earns respect. Basketball is the 'second religion' in Lithuania. 'Rodyti dantis' is the most common way to describe a team's fighting spirit. During the independence movements, the phrase was used to describe the nation's defiance against the Soviet Union.
Use the Perfective
Use 'parodyti' (with the prefix pa-) when you want to describe a specific moment where someone stood up for themselves.
Not for Smiles
Never use this to describe a friendly smile; it will sound like you are describing a threat.
Use the Perfective
Use 'parodyti' (with the prefix pa-) when you want to describe a specific moment where someone stood up for themselves.
Not for Smiles
Never use this to describe a friendly smile; it will sound like you are describing a threat.
Respect
In Lithuania, 'showing teeth' is often respected as a sign of character, as long as it's justified.
Teste-toi
Užpildykite tuščią vietą tinkama frazės forma.
Kai direktorius pradėjo rėkti, Jonas nebebijojo ir pagaliau ... dantis.
'Parodė dantis' is the correct idiom for standing up to someone.
Kuri situacija geriausiai tinka šiai frazei?
Kada galime sakyti 'rodyti dantis'?
The idiom is about assertiveness and defense, not literal teeth or smiling.
Užbaikite dialogą.
A: Ar matei vakar krepšinio varžybas? B: Taip, mūsų komanda pralaimėjo, bet jie bent jau ...
In sports, 'parodė dantis' means they fought hard despite the result.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesKai direktorius pradėjo rėkti, Jonas nebebijojo ir pagaliau ... dantis.
'Parodė dantis' is the correct idiom for standing up to someone.
Kada galime sakyti 'rodyti dantis'?
The idiom is about assertiveness and defense, not literal teeth or smiling.
A: Ar matei vakar krepšinio varžybas? B: Taip, mūsų komanda pralaimėjo, bet jie bent jau ...
In sports, 'parodė dantis' means they fought hard despite the result.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
3 questionsIt's not necessarily rude, but it is aggressive. It's a way to describe conflict. Using it about yourself can sound proud; using it about others can be descriptive.
Yes, it is used literally for dogs, wolves, and other animals that bare their teeth.
They are almost identical. 'Nagus' (claws) is slightly more common when talking about women or 'catty' behavior, but 'dantis' is more universal.
Expressions liées
iššiepti dantis
similarTo bare one's teeth (more aggressive)
griežti dantį
contrastTo hold a grudge
parodyti nagus
synonymTo show claws
atsikirsti
builds onTo snap back/retort
Où l'utiliser
Workplace Conflict
Kolega: Aš vėl vėluosiu su ataskaita, tu pabaik už mane.
Tu: Ne, šį kartą aš tau nepadėsiu. Turi pats susitvarkyti.
Kolega: Oho, matau, pradedi rodyti dantis!
Sports Match
Komentatorius: Lietuvos komanda pralaimi 10 taškų.
Komentatorius 2: Taip, bet žiūrėkite, jie pradėjo spausti varžovus. Pagaliau rodo dantis!
Parenting
Mama: Mano sūnus visada buvo toks geras vaikas.
Tėtis: Bet dabar jis paauglys ir pradėjo rodyti dantis, kai jam kažkas nepatinka.
Business Negotiation
Direktorius: Mes nesutinkame su šiomis sąlygomis.
Partneris: Jūs rodote dantis, bet mes turime geresnį pasiūlymą kitur.
Dating
Draugė: Kaip sekėsi pasimatymas?
Tu: Jis buvo nemandagus, tad aš jam parodžiau dantis ir išėjau.
Political Debate
Žurnalistas: Opozicija šiandien Seime tikrai parodė dantis.
Politikas: Mes tik giname piliečių interesus.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of a 'Roady' (Rodyti) dog showing its 'Dantis' (Teeth) to protect its tour bus.
Association visuelle
Imagine a small, fluffy kitten looking into a mirror and seeing a fierce Siberian tiger baring its fangs. This represents the hidden strength the phrase implies.
Rhyme
Jei nori pagarbos, parodyk dantis – ir dings visos tavo naktinės naktys.
Story
Jonas was the quietest boy in class. One day, a bully took his lunch. Jonas didn't cry; he stood up, looked the bully in the eye, and spoke with a voice like thunder. His classmates said, 'Jonas parodė dantis.' From that day on, no one bothered him.
In Other Languages
English has 'to show one's teeth,' which is identical. German has 'die Zähne zeigen,' and Russian has 'показывать зубы' (pokazyvat' zuby). It is a very common European idiom.
Word Web
Défi
Try to find one news article on a Lithuanian site (like lrt.lt) today that uses the word 'dantis' in a metaphorical way.
Review this phrase 1 day, 3 days, and 1 week after first learning to cement the connection between 'teeth' and 'assertiveness'.
Prononciation
The 'o' is long and stressed.
The 'i' is short, and the stress is on the second syllable.
Spectre de formalité
Komanda pademonstravo ryžtą ir tvirtą charakterį. (Sports match summary)
Komanda parodė dantis. (Sports match summary)
Mūsiškiai gerai pasispardė ir parodė dantis. (Sports match summary)
Mūsiškiai užsiraustė ir parodė dantis. (Sports match summary)
Derived from animal behavior observations, specifically the 'snarl' of canines which serves as a pre-attack warning.
Le savais-tu ?
In Lithuanian, there are over 20 idioms involving the word 'dantis' (tooth), showing how important this body part is in folk metaphors.
Notes culturelles
The wolf is a central figure in Lithuanian mythology. Showing teeth is seen as a 'wolf-like' trait of a survivor.
“Lietuviai kaip vilkai – ramūs, kol jų neliečia, bet moka rodyti dantis.”
In Lithuanian business, being too aggressive early on is disliked, but 'showing teeth' at the right moment earns respect.
“Derybų pabaigoje jis parodė dantis ir gavo geresnę kainą.”
Basketball is the 'second religion' in Lithuania. 'Rodyti dantis' is the most common way to describe a team's fighting spirit.
“Žalgiris parodė dantis prieš Eurolygos čempionus.”
During the independence movements, the phrase was used to describe the nation's defiance against the Soviet Union.
“Sąjūdis parodė dantis sistemai.”
Amorces de conversation
Ar tau kada nors teko parodyti dantis darbe?
Kada krepšinio komanda turėtų rodyti dantis?
Ar sunku parodyti dantis, jei esi ramus žmogus?
Erreurs courantes
Aš rodau dantis pas odontologą.
Aš išsižiojau pas odontologą.
L1 Interference
Jis mato dantis.
Jis rodo dantis.
L1 Interference
Ji rodė savo dantis.
Ji rodė dantis.
L1 Interference
Mes rodome dantis šypsodamiesi.
Mes šypsomės.
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Mostrar los dientes
None, the usage is virtually the same.
Montrer les dents
Often used in political or social protest contexts.
Die Zähne zeigen
Can sometimes imply a bit more 'biting' or actual action than the Lithuanian version.
牙を剥く (Kiba o muku)
The Japanese version is much more aggressive and 'animalistic' than the neutral 'teeth'.
كشر عن أنيابه (Kashara 'an anyabihi)
Uses the word for 'fangs' or 'canines' specifically.
露出牙齿 (Lù chū yá chǐ)
The Chinese idiom often implies a more chaotic or 'crazy' kind of aggression.
이빨을 드러내다 (Ippal-eul deulenaeda)
Uses a slightly more 'animalistic' word for teeth (ippal) rather than the human word (chi-a).
Mostrar os dentes
In some Brazilian contexts, it can occasionally mean to smile, so context is vital.
Spotted in the Real World
“Lietuva parodė dantis: griežtas atsakas į hibridinę ataką.”
Article about Lithuania's border policy.
“Mes rodome dantis tiems, kurie nori mus nutildyti.”
Lithuanian hip-hop song about resistance.
Facile à confondre
Both involve showing teeth.
If you are happy, you smile to your ears. If you are angry/assertive, you show teeth.
Both use the word 'dantis'.
'Dantis sukandus' means with gritted teeth (enduring pain), while 'rodyti dantis' is outward aggression.
Questions fréquentes (3)
It's not necessarily rude, but it is aggressive. It's a way to describe conflict. Using it about yourself can sound proud; using it about others can be descriptive.
usage contextsYes, it is used literally for dogs, wolves, and other animals that bare their teeth.
basic understandingThey are almost identical. 'Nagus' (claws) is slightly more common when talking about women or 'catty' behavior, but 'dantis' is more universal.
comparisons
