Meaning
An effective educator.
Cultural Background
Teachers' Day (Mokytojų diena) is celebrated on October 5th. It is a major event where students bring flowers (usually chrysanthemums or roses) to their 'geri mokytojai'. Historically, during the 19th-century press ban, 'knygnešiai' (book smugglers) and secret teachers were the ultimate 'geri mokytojai', risking Siberia to teach children Lithuanian. In the digital age, 'geras mokytojas' is a common tag in online tutoring platforms like Preply or Italki used by Lithuanians to find language help. There is a prestigious national award called 'Metų mokytojas' (Teacher of the Year), which officially recognizes the best 'geras mokytojas' in the country.
Gender is Key
Always check the gender of the person you are talking about. 'Geras' for men, 'Gera' for women.
Don't say 'Labas mokytojas'
Even though 'Labas' means 'Good' in 'Labas rytas', it cannot be used to describe a person's quality.
Meaning
An effective educator.
Gender is Key
Always check the gender of the person you are talking about. 'Geras' for men, 'Gera' for women.
Don't say 'Labas mokytojas'
Even though 'Labas' means 'Good' in 'Labas rytas', it cannot be used to describe a person's quality.
Use the Vocative
When talking TO the teacher, don't say 'Geras mokytojas'. Say 'Mokytojau!' (Teacher!) or 'Gerbiamas mokytojau!' (Respected teacher!).
Flowers
If you have a 'geras mokytojas' in Lithuania, giving them a single flower is a very common and appreciated gesture.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct feminine form of 'Geras mokytojas'.
Mano mama yra...
Since 'mama' is feminine, you must use the feminine adjective 'Gera' and the feminine noun 'mokytoja'.
Fill in the missing adjective in the correct case.
Mums reikia ____ (geras) mokytojo.
The verb 'reikia' (need) requires the genitive case. The genitive of 'geras' is 'gero'.
Match the Lithuanian phrase with its English translation.
Match the following:
Matching gender and number is key in Lithuanian.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form.
A: Ar tavo brolis dirba mokykloje? B: Taip, jis yra ____.
The subject 'brolis' is masculine, and we need the nominative case for a description.
Which phrase is best for Teachers' Day?
You want to thank your male teacher on Oct 5th.
This is a direct and respectful compliment suitable for the occasion.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Gender Agreement
Where to find a Geras Mokytojas
Places
- • Mokykla
- • Universitetas
- • Kursai
Practice Bank
5 exercisesMano mama yra...
Since 'mama' is feminine, you must use the feminine adjective 'Gera' and the feminine noun 'mokytoja'.
Mums reikia ____ (geras) mokytojo.
The verb 'reikia' (need) requires the genitive case. The genitive of 'geras' is 'gero'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Matching gender and number is key in Lithuanian.
A: Ar tavo brolis dirba mokykloje? B: Taip, jis yra ____.
The subject 'brolis' is masculine, and we need the nominative case for a description.
You want to thank your male teacher on Oct 5th.
This is a direct and respectful compliment suitable for the occasion.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes, but 'geras dėstytojas' is more specific and professional for university settings.
It's the most common. For 'excellent', use 'puikus'. For 'kind', use 'geras' or 'nuoširdus'.
Say 'geriausias mokytojas'.
The plural is 'geri mokytojai'.
No, it's the standard way to address them, but adding 'gerbiamas' (respected) makes it more formal.
That is the genitive case, used after 'reikia' (need) or to show possession.
Yes, metaphorically. 'Ši knyga yra geras mokytojas' (This book is a good teacher).
It is 'geros mokytojos'.
Yes, but 'pedagogas' is more formal and academic.
Say 'labai geras mokytojas'.
Only at the start of a sentence or in very formal addresses, though usually it is lowercase.
Say 'Sveikinu su Mokytojų diena!' and follow it with 'Jūs esate geras mokytojas'.
Related Phrases
Puikus mokytojas
similarExcellent teacher
Griežtas mokytojas
contrastStrict teacher
Buvęs mokytojas
builds onFormer teacher
Mokytojo padėjėjas
specialized formTeacher's assistant
Gera mokytoja
similarGood teacher (female)
