Meaning
Stating that you have no free time.
Cultural Background
Lithuanians value privacy and directness. Saying 'Esu užsiėmęs' is a respected way to decline social pressure without needing to give a detailed excuse. In Lithuanian offices, being 'užsiėmęs' is often equated with being important. However, overusing it with superiors can be seen as poor time management. In the age of smartphones, Lithuanians often use 'užsiėmęs' as a status on apps like Teams or Slack to prevent interruptions. In rural areas, 'užsiėmęs' might refer to physical labor (farming), while in cities like Kaunas or Vilnius, it almost always refers to office work or meetings.
Gender Check
If you are a woman, always use 'užsiėmusi'. It's a small change that makes you sound much more fluent.
Don't be too blunt
Just saying 'Užsiėmęs' can sound rude. Add 'Atsiprašau' (Sorry) to soften it.
Meaning
Stating that you have no free time.
Gender Check
If you are a woman, always use 'užsiėmusi'. It's a small change that makes you sound much more fluent.
Don't be too blunt
Just saying 'Užsiėmęs' can sound rude. Add 'Atsiprašau' (Sorry) to soften it.
The 'Buried' Idiom
Use 'Esu užsikasęs' with friends to sound like a native who is overwhelmed with work.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'užsiėmęs' based on the speaker's gender.
(Female speaker): Atsiprašau, dabar esu _______.
A female speaker must use the feminine singular ending '-usi'.
Which sentence correctly says 'We are busy'?
Select the correct plural form:
'Mes' requires the verb 'esame' and the plural participle 'užsiėmę'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You missed a call from your boss yesterday and need to explain why.
'Buvau' is the past tense, necessary for explaining a past event.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: Ar gali dabar kalbėti? B: Ne, atsiprašau, _______.
If you cannot talk ('Ne'), the reason is that you are busy.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use 'Užsiėmęs'
Work
- • Meetings
- • Deadlines
- • Emails
Social
- • Declining party
- • Late reply
- • Busy weekend
Practice Bank
4 exercises(Female speaker): Atsiprašau, dabar esu _______.
A female speaker must use the feminine singular ending '-usi'.
Select the correct plural form:
'Mes' requires the verb 'esame' and the plural participle 'užsiėmę'.
Situation: You missed a call from your boss yesterday and need to explain why.
'Buvau' is the past tense, necessary for explaining a past event.
A: Ar gali dabar kalbėti? B: Ne, atsiprašau, _______.
If you cannot talk ('Ne'), the reason is that you are busy.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
No, for a phone line use 'Linija užimta'.
Say 'Esu labai užsiėmęs'.
It is 'Esame užsiėmusios'.
Related Phrases
Turiu daug darbo
synonymI have a lot of work.
Neturiu laiko
similarI don't have time.
Esu laisvas
contrastI am free.
Užsikasęs darbais
specialized formBuried in work.
