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A1 verb 7 min read

keliauti

Examples Notes & Tips keliauti in 30 Seconds
Explanation keliauti in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'keliauti' is one of the first verbs you learn to describe hobbies and future plans. You should focus on the present tense conjugation: 'Aš keliauju' (I travel), 'Tu keliauji' (You travel), 'Jis/Ji keliauja' (He/She travels). At this stage, you use it with simple destinations like 'į Vilnių' or 'į Palangą'. The focus is on basic communication—expressing that you like to travel ('Man patinka keliauti') or asking someone if they travel ('Ar tu keliauji?'). You will also encounter it in the context of simple 'where' and 'when' questions. It's important to recognize the word in travel-related signage or basic brochures. The goal is to build the connection between the act of taking a trip and this specific Lithuanian word.
In A2, you expand your use of 'keliauti' to include the past and future tenses. You'll learn to say 'Mes keliavome' (We traveled) and 'Mes keliausime' (We will travel). You begin to use prepositions like 'po' (around) more frequently, such as 'keliauti po Europą'. You can also start adding adverbs to describe how you travel: 'keliauti pigiai' (to travel cheaply), 'keliauti greitai' (to travel quickly), or 'keliauti patogiai' (to travel comfortably). At this level, you should be able to describe a short trip you took in the past, using 'keliauti' to set the scene. You'll also learn the noun 'kelionė' (a journey/trip) and how it relates to the verb.
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At the B1 level, you use 'keliauti' to discuss more abstract concepts and detailed experiences. You can talk about the benefits of traveling, such as 'keliauti yra naudinga' (traveling is useful/beneficial). You will start using more complex sentence structures, like 'Nors man patinka keliauti, aš pasiilgstu namų' (Although I like to travel, I miss home). You'll also encounter reflexive forms or prefixed versions like 'apkeliauti' (to travel around/visit all parts). You should be comfortable using the verb in conditional sentences: 'Jei turėčiau pinigų, keliaučiau aplink pasaulį' (If I had money, I would travel around the world). Your vocabulary surrounding travel (lodging, transport, culture) becomes more integrated with the verb.
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By B2, 'keliauti' is used fluently in discussions about sociology, environment, and personal growth. You might discuss 'tvarus keliavimas' (sustainable traveling) or the impact of mass tourism. You can use the verb metaphorically to describe a character's development in a book or the progression of a political movement. You'll understand the nuances between 'keliauti', 'vykti', and 'leistis į kelionę'. You can handle complex grammar involving participles, such as 'keliaujantis jaunimas' (traveling youth) or 'keliaudami mes mokomės' (while traveling, we learn). You are expected to argue for or against different styles of travel using various forms of the verb.
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At the C1 level, 'keliauti' is used with high precision in literary and professional contexts. You can analyze the 'keliavimo motyvas' (the motif of traveling) in Lithuanian classical literature. You use the verb to describe intricate processes, such as 'mintimis keliauti į praeitį' (to travel to the past in one's thoughts). You'll be familiar with rare idioms and archaic uses. You can discuss the etymological roots of the word and its cognates in other Indo-European languages. Your use of the verb is nuanced, often paired with sophisticated adjectives and used in complex rhetorical structures. You can write essays on the philosophy of travel without repeating the same basic structures.
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At the C2 level, your command of 'keliauti' is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker. You use the verb in all its morphological possibilities, including the most obscure participial constructions. You can engage in deep philosophical debates about the nature of movement and existence using 'keliauti' as a central theme. You understand the subtle emotional weights the word carries in different dialects or historical registers. You can play with the word in poetry or creative writing, utilizing its rhythmic properties and historical echoes. You are also aware of how the word has evolved in the modern digital age and can critique its usage in media and advertising.
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Examples Notes & Tips

keliauti in 30 Seconds

  • Keliauti means 'to travel' and comes from the word for 'road'.
  • It is used for long trips and journeys, not short daily commutes.
  • The present tense is 'keliauju', 'keliauji', 'keliauja'.
  • Use 'į' for destinations and 'po' for traveling around a region.

The Lithuanian verb keliauti is a fundamental word in the Baltic lexicon, derived from the noun kelias, meaning 'road' or 'way'. At its core, it describes the act of journeying from one place to another, typically over a significant distance or for a specific purpose like leisure, business, or exploration. Unlike the more specific verbs važiuoti (to go by vehicle) or skristi (to fly), keliauti focuses on the experience and the process of the journey itself rather than the mode of transport. It is the go-to word for 'traveling' in a general sense.

General Usage
Used when discussing vacations, business trips, or the lifestyle of a nomad. It implies a transition across space and often time.

Mano didžiausia svajonė yra keliauti aplink pasaulį.

The word carries a romantic and adventurous connotation in Lithuanian culture. Lithuanians have a deep historical connection to their land, but also a long history of migration and exploration. When someone says they are 'keliaujantis žmogus' (a traveling person), it suggests they are open-minded, worldly, and curious. It is not just about moving; it is about the accumulation of experiences and the broadening of horizons. Whether you are traveling through the lush forests of Aukštaitija or across the Atlantic Ocean, keliauti encapsulates the spirit of the trek.

Metaphorical Use
It can refer to the passage of time or moving through phases of life, such as 'keliauti per gyvenimą' (to travel through life).

Mes visi keliaujame laiku į ateitį.

Grammatically, keliauti is a first-conjugation verb ending in -auti. This means its present tense forms follow the pattern: keliauju, keliauji, keliauja, keliaujame, keliaujate, keliauja. Understanding these endings is crucial for A1 learners. When constructing sentences, the most common prepositions used with this verb are į (to/into) followed by the accusative case for a destination, and po (around/through) followed by the accusative for the area being explored.

Destination Focus
To say 'I travel to Italy', use: 'Aš keliauju į Italiją'. Note the accusative ending '-ą'.

Kitą vasarą mes keliausime į Japoniją.

When you are traveling 'around' a place, the preposition po is essential. For example, 'keliauti po Lietuvą' means 'to travel around Lithuania'. This suggests a multi-stop journey rather than a direct point-to-point movement. You can also use the instrumental case to describe the means of travel, though usually, Lithuanians prefer the verb that matches the mode (e.g., skristi for flying). However, 'keliauti traukiniu' (to travel by train) is perfectly acceptable and common in literature.

Duration and Frequency
Use adverbs like 'dažnai' (often) or 'retai' (rarely) to modify the verb: 'Jis dažnai keliauja darbo reikalais'.

Ar tau patinka keliauti vienam, ar su draugais?

In Lithuania, you will hear keliauti in various contexts, from casual coffee shop chats to formal news broadcasts. During the summer months, it is perhaps the most used verb as people discuss their 'atostogos' (vacations). You'll hear it at travel agencies ('Keliaukite su mumis!'), in documentaries about world explorers, and in the classroom when children describe their summer breaks. It is also a staple of the Lithuanian 'influencer' vocabulary on social media, where 'kelionių tinklaraštininkai' (travel bloggers) share their latest adventures.

Public Announcements
In stations, you might hear announcements about 'keliaujantiems į Vilnių' (for those traveling to Vilnius).

Linkime malonaus keliavimo!

Beyond physical travel, the word appears in academic and literary settings. Authors use it to describe the journey of the soul or the progression of a narrative. In business, it might refer to the 'customer journey' (kliento kelionė), though the verb form keliauti is less common there than the noun. You will also find it in popular music; many Lithuanian songs romanticize the idea of hitting the road and leaving one's troubles behind. It evokes a sense of freedom and 'laisvė'.

Everyday Conversation
Friends often ask: 'Kur planuoji keliauti šiemet?' (Where do you plan to travel this year?)

Mes keliaujame pėsčiomis per kalnus.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using keliauti when they simply mean 'to go' or 'to come'. In English, you might say 'I am traveling to the store', but in Lithuanian, using keliauti for a short, mundane trip to the grocery store sounds overly dramatic or even humorous. For daily commutes or short errands, use eiti (to walk) or važiuoti (to drive/ride). Keliauti implies a journey of some substance.

Preposition Confusion
Mistaking 'į' (to) with 'pas' (to a person). You 'keliauji į Vokietiją' but you 'važiuoji pas močiutę'.

Klaida: Aš keliauju į darbą kiekvieną rytą. (Too dramatic for a commute!)

Another common error is the incorrect conjugation of the '-auti' suffix. Beginners often try to conjugate it like an '-oti' verb (e.g., *keliauju becomes *keliauju, which is correct, but they might fail on the third person *keliauja). Remember the 'j' that appears in the present tense. Additionally, learners often forget that 'keliauti' is intransitive. You cannot 'keliauti Europą' (accusative); you must 'keliauti po Europą' (around Europe) or 'per Europą' (through Europe).

Case Errors
Using the locative case without a preposition. Instead of 'Keliauju Vokietijoje', it is usually 'Keliauju po Vokietiją'.

Teisingai: Mes keliavome autostopu.

To sound more like a native, it is important to know when to swap keliauti for a more specific verb. Lithuanian is rich in verbs of motion that specify the 'how' and 'where' of the movement. If you are going somewhere by car, bus, or train, važiuoti is more precise. If you are flying, skristi is the word. If you are sailing, use plaukti. Keliauti is the umbrella term that covers all of these when the focus is on the trip as a whole.

Keliauti vs. Vykti
'Vykti' is more formal and often implies 'to set off' or 'to take place'. 'Mes vykstame į konferenciją' (We are heading to a conference).
Keliauti vs. Klajoti
'Klajoti' means to wander or roam aimlessly. Use this for more poetic or lost contexts.

Užuot tiesiog keliavę, jie nusprendė klajoti po senamiestį.

Another alternative is turistauti, which specifically means 'to tour' or 'to be a tourist'. This is slightly more informal and focuses on the activities of sightseeing. If you are hiking, you might use žygiuoti (to march/hike). For a very long, difficult journey, the verb brautis (to force one's way) or vargti (to struggle) might be used metaphorically, but keliauti remains the most versatile and positive term for any exploration.

Keliauti vs. Eiti
'Eiti' is specifically for walking on foot. You can 'keliauti pėsčiomis', but usually 'eiti' is sufficient for short distances.

Ar geriau keliauti lėktuvu ar laivu?

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root is a cognate with the English word 'wheel' and 'cycle', showing the ancient connection between circular motion and travel.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kɛˈlʲɛʊ̯.tʲɪ/
US /kɛˈljaʊ.ti/
Second syllable (ke-LIAU-ti)
Rhymes With
dainuoti vairuoti sportuoti miegoti (partial) svajoti planuoti ragauti vėluoti
Common Errors
  • Stressing the first syllable.
  • Pronouncing 'iau' as three separate vowels.
  • Making the 'l' too hard (velarized).
  • Dropping the final 'i'.
  • Confusing the pitch accent on the diphthong.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text once the root 'kel-' is known.

Writing 3/5

Conjugation of '-auti' verbs can be tricky for beginners.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward but requires correct stress.

Listening 2/5

Clear sound, but can be confused with 'kelti' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

kelias eiti važiuoti noriu kur

Learn Next

kelionė atostogos bilietas viešbutis užsienis

Advanced

ekspedicija maršrutas klajoklis svetur pakeleivis
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Examples by Level

1

Aš mėgstu keliauti.

I like to travel.

Simple present infinitive after 'mėgstu'.

2

Mes keliaujame į Vilnių.

We are traveling to Vilnius.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

3

Ar tu keliauji vienas?

Are you traveling alone?

Question form, 2nd person singular.

4

Jis keliauja autobusais.

He travels by buses.

Instrumental plural for the mode of transport.

5

Ji keliauja kiekvieną vasarą.

She travels every summer.

Accusative of time duration.

6

Keliauti yra smagu.

Traveling is fun.

Infinitive used as a subject.

7

Kur tu keliauji?

Where are you traveling?

Interrogative 'kur' triggers the destination.

8

Mes keliaujame kartu.

We travel together.

Adverb 'kartu' modifying the verb.

1

Vakar mes keliavome prie jūros.

Yesterday we traveled to the seaside.

Past tense 'keliavome'.

2

Kitais metais keliausiu į Ispaniją.

Next year I will travel to Spain.

Future tense 'keliausiu'.

3

Man nepatinka keliauti naktį.

I don't like traveling at night.

Negative 'nepatinka' + infinitive.

4

Ar jūs keliavote po Lietuvą?

Did you (plural) travel around Lithuania?

Preposition 'po' + accusative.

5

Jis nori keliauti aplink pasaulį.

He wants to travel around the world.

Preposition 'aplink' + accusative.

6

Mes dažnai keliaudavome su tėvais.

We used to travel often with parents.

Frequentative past tense 'keliaudavome'.

7

Keliauti lėktuvu yra greita.

Traveling by plane is fast.

Instrumental case 'lėktuvu'.

8

Ji keliauja darbo reikalais.

She travels for business (work matters).

Plural instrumental phrase.

1

Keliaudamas aš susipažįstu su naujais žmonėmis.

While traveling, I meet new people.

Gerund 'keliaudamas' (masculine singular).

2

Svarbu keliauti atsakingai.

It is important to travel responsibly.

Adverb 'atsakingai'.

3

Jei turėčiau laiko, keliaučiau ilgiau.

If I had time, I would travel longer.

Conditional mood 'keliaučiau'.

4

Keliauti po kalnus yra sunku, bet gražu.

Traveling through the mountains is hard but beautiful.

Preposition 'po' used for terrain.

5

Mes nusprendėme keliauti be plano.

We decided to travel without a plan.

Preposition 'be' + genitive.

6

Ar kada nors keliavote autostopu?

Have you ever hitchhiked (traveled by hitchhiking)?

Adverbial 'autostopu'.

7

Keliaudami mes pamirštame kasdienius rūpesčius.

While traveling, we forget daily worries.

Gerund 'keliaudami' (plural).

8

Ji mėgsta keliauti į egzotiškas šalis.

She likes traveling to exotic countries.

Adjective-noun agreement in accusative.

1

Keliavimas praplečia žmogaus akiratį.

Traveling broadens a person's horizon.

Verbal noun 'keliavimas'.

2

Daugelis jaunų žmonių renkasi keliauti savarankiškai.

Many young people choose to travel independently.

Adverb 'savarankiškai'.

3

Keliauti po neatrastas vietas yra jo aistra.

Traveling through undiscovered places is his passion.

Participle 'neatrastas' (undiscovered).

4

Mažai kas nori keliauti į pavojingas zonas.

Few people want to travel to dangerous zones.

Indefinite pronoun 'mažai kas'.

5

Keliauti galima ir neišleidžiant daug pinigų.

It is possible to travel without spending much money.

Negative gerund 'neišleidžiant'.

6

Mokslininkai keliauja į Antarktidą tirti klimato.

Scientists travel to Antarctica to study the climate.

Infinitive of purpose 'tirti'.

7

Keliaudama ji rašo tinklaraštį apie kultūrą.

While traveling, she writes a blog about culture.

Gerund 'keliaudama' (feminine).

8

Mes keliavome visą naktį, kad pasiektume tikslą.

We traveled all night to reach our goal.

Conjunction 'kad' + subjunctive.

1

Keliauti laiku yra sena žmonijos svajonė.

Traveling through time is an old dream of humanity.

Instrumental 'laiku' (by time/through time).

2

Autorius kviečia skaitytoją keliauti per knygos puslapius.

The author invites the reader to travel through the pages of the book.

Metaphorical use of 'per' + accusative.

3

Keliauti be išankstinių nuostatų yra tikrasis pažinimas.

Traveling without preconceived notions is true discovery.

Complex prepositional phrase.

4

Jis visą gyvenimą keliavo ieškodamas tiesos.

He traveled his whole life searching for the truth.

Gerund 'ieškodamas' (searching).

5

Keliauti po svetimas kultūras reikalauja empatijos.

Traveling through foreign cultures requires empathy.

Abstract subject 'keliauti'.

6

Mes keliavome per dykumą, kurioje nebuvo jokios gyvybės.

We traveled through a desert where there was no life.

Relative clause 'kurioje'.

7

Keliauti į save yra sunkiausia kelionė.

Traveling into oneself is the hardest journey.

Reflexive pronoun 'save'.

8

Keliaudami mes ne tik matome pasaulį, bet ir keičiamės patys.

While traveling, we not only see the world but change ourselves.

Reflexive verb 'keičiamės'.

1

Nomadiškas gyvenimo būdas skatina nuolatos keliauti.

A nomadic lifestyle encourages constant traveling.

Adverb 'nuolatos' (constantly).

2

Keliauti per istorinius lūžius yra istoriko užduotis.

To travel through historical turning points is the historian's task.

Metaphorical historical context.

3

Būti keliaujančiu subjektu reiškia būti atviram kaitai.

To be a traveling subject means to be open to change.

Participle 'keliaujančiu' as an attribute.

4

Keliauti anapus žinomų ribų yra mokslo variklis.

Traveling beyond known boundaries is the engine of science.

Preposition 'anapus' + genitive.

5

Jis keliavo per tekstą, dekonstruodamas kiekvieną prasmę.

He traveled through the text, deconstructing every meaning.

Post-modern literary context.

6

Keliauti kartu su laiko dvasia yra būtina sėkmei.

Traveling along with the spirit of the time is necessary for success.

Idiomatic 'laiko dvasia' (Zeitgeist).

7

Mūsų sielos keliauja per amžinybę, ieškodamos ramybės.

Our souls travel through eternity, searching for peace.

Metaphysical usage.

8

Keliauti po atminties labirintus gali būti skausminga.

Traveling through the labyrinths of memory can be painful.

Genitive 'atminties' modifying 'labirintus'.

Common Collocations

keliauti autostopu
keliauti verslo reikalais
keliauti pėsčiomis
keliauti aplink pasaulį
keliauti po Europą
keliauti vienam
keliauti su šeima
keliauti pigiai
keliauti laiku
keliauti į užsienį

Common Phrases

Gero keliavimo!

— Have a good trip/journey. Used as a farewell.

Iki pasimatymo ir gero keliavimo!

Keliauti yra gyventi.

— To travel is to live. A popular philosophical quote.

Kaip sakė H. K. Andersenas, keliauti yra gyventi.

Keliauti po savo šalį.

— To travel around one's own country. Encouraging local tourism.

Šiemet skatiname visus keliauti po savo šalį.

Lengva keliauti be bagažo.

— It is easy to travel without baggage. Can be literal or metaphorical.

Tiek gyvenime, tiek kelyje, lengva keliauti be bagažo.

Keliauti į nežinomybę.

— To travel into the unknown. Used for risky adventures.

Ekspedicija keliavo į nežinomybę.

Keliauti su vėjeliu.

— To travel very fast (with the breeze).

Su nauju automobiliu mes keliausime su vėjeliu.

Keliauti per dykumas.

— To travel through deserts. Often used in biblical or epic contexts.

Karavanas keliavo per dykumas.

Keliauti mintimis.

— To travel in one's mind/thoughts.

Sėdėdamas namie, aš keliauju mintimis po kalnus.

Keliauti ten ir atgal.

— To travel there and back.

Mums teko keliauti ten ir atgal tris kartus.

Keliauti pigaus skrydžio bendrovėmis.

— To travel via low-cost airlines.

Dabar labai populiaru keliauti pigaus skrydžio bendrovėmis.

Idioms & Expressions

"Keliauti į dausas"

— To pass away / go to the afterworld. A poetic way to describe death.

Senelis jau nukeliavo į dausas.

poetic/archaic
"Keliauti per rankas"

— To be passed from hand to hand. Used for objects like books or money.

Ši knyga keliavo per rankas visą dešimtmetį.

informal
"Keliauti tiesiu keliu"

— To live an honest life / follow a straight path.

Visada stenkis keliauti tiesiu keliu.

moral
"Keliauti klystkeliais"

— To go astray or make wrong life choices.

Jaunystėje jis šiek tiek keliavo klystkeliais.

metaphorical
"Keliauti į užmarštį"

— To fade into oblivion / be forgotten.

Senos tradicijos pamažu keliauja į užmarštį.

literary
"Keliauti su Dievu"

— Go with God. A traditional parting blessing.

Sudie, keliauk su Dievu.

traditional
"Keliauti per vargus"

— To go through hardships.

Mūsų tauta keliavo per vargus į laisvę.

historical
"Keliauti akimis"

— To scan or look over something quickly.

Jis keliavo akimis per sąrašą.

neutral
"Keliauti į šiukšlyną"

— To become useless / be thrown away.

Tokios idėjos turėtų keliauti į šiukšlyną.

informal
"Keliauti per gyvenimą"

— To go through life.

Svarbu turėti žmogų, su kuriuo gali keliauti per gyvenimą.

romantic

Word Family

Nouns

kelionė (trip)
keliautojas (traveler)
kelias (road)
kelialapis (travel permit/voucher)
keliauninkas (wayfarer)

Verbs

apkeliauti (to travel around)
nukeliauti (to arrive/reach by traveling)
pakeleivingi (to hitch a ride)
keliautis (rare reflexive)
iškeliauti (to depart)

Adjectives

kelioninis (travel-related)
keliaujantis (traveling)
pakeleivingas (on the way)

Related

vairuoti
skristi
bilietas
lagaminas
žemėlapis
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'KE-LIAU-ti' as 'Carry-Loud-ly'. When you travel, you 'carry' your bags and the 'loud' sound of the train follows you.

Visual Association

Imagine a long 'road' (kelias) with a big 'K' at the start and people 'traveling' (keliauti) along it.

Word Web

kelias kelionė keliautojas atostogos kuprinė žemėlapis pasaulis nuotykis

Challenge

Try to use 'keliauti' in three different tenses today: present, past, and future.

Word Origin

Derived from the Proto-Baltic root *kel-, which is also the source of the Lithuanian noun 'kelias' (road). This root is connected to the Proto-Indo-European *kʷel-, meaning 'to turn' or 'to move around'.

Original meaning: To be on the road / to follow a path.

Indo-European, Baltic branch.

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities; 'keliauti' is a very positive and safe word.

English speakers often use 'travel' for any movement, but Lithuanians distinguish between 'going' and 'traveling' more strictly.

Matas Šalčius (famous Lithuanian traveler) Antanas Poška (traveled to India on a motorcycle) Keliautojo užrašai (Traveler's Notes - a common book title genre)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Vacation Planning

  • Kur keliausime?
  • Kada geriausia keliauti?
  • Kiek kainuoja keliauti?
  • Noriu keliauti į šiltus kraštus.

At the Airport

  • Keliauju į Londoną.
  • Keliaujame su šeima.
  • Ar dažnai keliaujate?
  • Malonaus keliavimo!

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