Signification
Initial occurrence of something.
Contexte culturel
There is a common saying 'Pirmas blynas visada prisvilęs' (The first pancake is always burnt). It is used when someone's 'pirmas kartas' at something doesn't go well, encouraging them not to give up. In traditional village culture, the 'pirmas kartas' of seasonal work (like the first day of haymaking) was often accompanied by rituals or special meals to ensure a good harvest. In the era of YouTube and TikTok, 'Pirmas kartas' is a major content category. 'First time trying Lithuanian snacks' is a very popular video format for foreigners in Lithuania. The 'pirmas kartas' in school (September 1st) is a massive national holiday called 'Mokslo ir žinių diena'. Even adults feel nostalgic about their 'pirmas kartas' in the first grade.
The 'Tai' Trick
If you start a sentence with 'Tai' (This is), you almost always use 'pirmas kartas' in the nominative.
Gender Check
Never say 'pirma kartas'. 'Kartas' is masculine, so 'pirmas' must be masculine too.
Signification
Initial occurrence of something.
The 'Tai' Trick
If you start a sentence with 'Tai' (This is), you almost always use 'pirmas kartas' in the nominative.
Gender Check
Never say 'pirma kartas'. 'Kartas' is masculine, so 'pirmas' must be masculine too.
Sound like a local
Use 'pirmąkart' instead of 'pirmą kartą' in text messages to sound more natural and save space.
The Pancake Rule
If you mess up, just say 'Pirmas blynas!' Lithuanians will find it charming and forgive your mistake.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form: 'pirmas kartas' or 'pirmą kartą'.
Tai yra mano _______ Lietuvoje.
We use the nominative 'pirmas kartas' after 'Tai yra' (This is).
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the correct way to say 'I am seeing this movie for the first time'.
For an action happening 'for the first time', use the accusative 'pirmą kartą'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a doctor's office and they ask if you've had this pain before. You haven't.
'Man tai pirmas kartas' (To me, this is the first time) is a natural way to describe a new physical sensation or experience.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ar tau patinka sušiai? B: Nežinau, aš juos valgau _______.
The verb 'valgau' (I eat) requires the adverbial 'pirmą kartą'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Kartas vs. Laikas
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesTai yra mano _______ Lietuvoje.
We use the nominative 'pirmas kartas' after 'Tai yra' (This is).
Select the correct way to say 'I am seeing this movie for the first time'.
For an action happening 'for the first time', use the accusative 'pirmą kartą'.
You are at a doctor's office and they ask if you've had this pain before. You haven't.
'Man tai pirmas kartas' (To me, this is the first time) is a natural way to describe a new physical sensation or experience.
A: Ar tau patinka sušiai? B: Nežinau, aš juos valgau _______.
The verb 'valgau' (I eat) requires the adverbial 'pirmą kartą'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, for 'firstly' use 'pirma' or 'pirmiausia'.
'Pirmasis' is the definite form, meaning 'THE very first'. It's more formal or emphatic.
Use 'antrą kartą'.
Yes, it is the standard, polite way to refer to losing one's virginity, similar to 'the first time' in English.
No, that is a literal translation from English and sounds very wrong in Lithuanian.
Both are correct. 'Pirmą kartą' is standard, 'pirmąkart' is a common contraction.
Ar tai tavo pirmas kartas?
It is the accusative case (galininkas).
No, for 'first place' use 'pirma vieta'.
It is neutral and can be used in any situation.
Expressions liées
Pirmą kartą
specialized formFor the first time
Pradžia
similarThe beginning
Debiutas
specialized formDebut
Pirmas blynas
similarFirst pancake (attempt)
Pirmąsyk
synonymFor the first time
