Meaning
Praising someone's effort or achievement.
Cultural Background
Lithuanians value 'darbštumas' (industriousness) as a core personality trait. Praising work is often seen as more meaningful than praising appearance. In modern Vilnius tech hubs, 'Geras darbas' is often used alongside English terms like 'feedback' or 'deadline'. In villages, 'Geras darbas' might be said after a long day of haymaking or gardening, often followed by a shared meal. Teachers use this phrase to build confidence in a system that was historically very strict and critical.
The 'Safe' Compliment
If you aren't sure how to praise someone in Lithuanian, 'Geras darbas' is always appropriate and never offensive.
Watch the Gender
Never say 'Gera darbas'. It's a common beginner mistake. Masculine nouns need masculine adjectives!
Meaning
Praising someone's effort or achievement.
The 'Safe' Compliment
If you aren't sure how to praise someone in Lithuanian, 'Geras darbas' is always appropriate and never offensive.
Watch the Gender
Never say 'Gera darbas'. It's a common beginner mistake. Masculine nouns need masculine adjectives!
Add 'Tikrai'
Adding 'Tikrai' (Really/Truly) before the phrase makes it sound much more sincere: 'Tikrai geras darbas'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing adjective to complete the praise.
_______ darbas, Tomai! (Good job, Tom!)
'Darbas' is masculine singular, so we use 'Geras'.
Match the situation to the most appropriate phrase.
Your colleague just finished a great presentation.
'Geras darbas' is used for praising a task, while 'Ačiū' is for thanking.
Which of these is a more formal version of 'Geras darbas'?
Select the formal alternative:
'Puikiai atliktas darbas' means 'Excellently performed work' and is more formal.
Complete the dialogue.
Mokytoja: Jūsų testai puikūs. _______, mokiniai!
The teacher is praising the students' performance on a test.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to say Geras darbas
Work
- • Reports
- • Meetings
- • Coding
Home
- • Cleaning
- • Cooking
- • DIY
School
- • Tests
- • Homework
- • Projects
Practice Bank
4 exercises_______ darbas, Tomai! (Good job, Tom!)
'Darbas' is masculine singular, so we use 'Geras'.
Your colleague just finished a great presentation.
'Geras darbas' is used for praising a task, while 'Ačiū' is for thanking.
Select the formal alternative:
'Puikiai atliktas darbas' means 'Excellently performed work' and is more formal.
Mokytoja: Jūsų testai puikūs. _______, mokiniai!
The teacher is praising the students' performance on a test.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends. It's very versatile.
No, use 'Ačiū' for small favors. 'Geras darbas' is for tasks that required effort.
'Geras darbas' praises the work. 'Šaunuolis' praises the person.
You say 'Labai geras darbas'.
Yes, it's a great way to end a professional email after a project is finished.
Yes, very often! Teammates say it to each other constantly.
Only if your tone is flat or mocking. Usually, it is very positive.
The plural is 'Geri darbai' (Good works/deeds).
Yes, it is common throughout all of Lithuania.
It's better for a teacher to say it to a student. If a student says it to a teacher, it might sound like they are 'grading' the teacher!
Related Phrases
Šaunuolis
similarGood job (referring to the person)
Puiku
synonymExcellent/Great
Gerai padirbėta
builds onWell worked
Blogas darbas
contrastBad job
