laimėti
laimėti en 30 secondes
- The primary Lithuanian verb for 'to win' in sports, games, and lotteries.
- Derived from 'laimė' (luck), emphasizing the role of fortune in success.
- Requires the prize to be in the accusative case and the opponent after 'prieš'.
- Versatile word used from simple childhood games to complex legal and political victories.
The Lithuanian verb laimėti is one of the most positive and essential words in the language, especially for a culture that takes great pride in sports like basketball. At its core, the word means 'to win,' 'to gain,' or 'to prevail.' However, its linguistic roots delve much deeper into the concept of luck and destiny. In Lithuanian, the word for luck or happiness is laimė, and the verb laimėti literally stems from this noun. Therefore, when a Lithuanian says they won, there is a subtle, ancient acknowledgment that they were favored by fortune or 'lucksiness.'
- The Sports Context
- This is the most common usage. Whether it is a local basketball match, a chess tournament, or the Olympic games, laimėti describes the act of coming out on top. It is used both for the team and the individual player.
Mūsų komanda tikisi šį vakarą laimėti rungtynes prieš stiprų varžovą.
Beyond physical competition, laimėti is the go-to verb for games of chance. If you buy a lottery ticket or play cards for money, you are hoping to laimėti. Interestingly, while English uses 'win' for both a prize and a match, Lithuanian follows a similar pattern, but often distinguishes the object of the win using the accusative case (ką? - what?). You can win a prize (laimėti prizą), win a battle (laimėti mūšį), or win time (laimėti laiko).
- Metaphorical Gain
- The word is frequently used in abstract scenarios, such as winning someone's trust or winning an argument. In these cases, it implies a successful outcome after a period of effort or negotiation.
Sąžiningumu galite laimėti bet kurio žmogaus pasitikėjimą.
In a historical and political sense, the word carries weight. Lithuania's history is marked by many struggles for independence, and the concept of laimėti laisvę (winning/gaining freedom) is deeply embedded in the national consciousness. It is not just about a game; it is about the ultimate survival and triumph of the spirit. When you use this word, you are tapping into a vocabulary of success that ranges from the trivial to the existential.
- Financial Context
- While 'uždirbti' means to earn money through work, 'laimėti' is used specifically for money gained through luck or competition, such as in a casino or a scholarship competition.
Ji svajoja laimėti milijoną eurų loterijoje ir apkeliauti pasaulį.
Using laimėti correctly requires an understanding of Lithuanian verb conjugation and case usage. Since it is a first-conjugation verb (ending in -ėti), its present tense forms are relatively regular. The most important thing to remember is that the thing you win must be in the accusative case. If you win a competition, 'varžybos' (plural) becomes 'varžybas'. If you win a gold medal, 'aukso medalis' becomes 'aukso medalį'.
Mes laimėjome pirmąją vietą dainų konkurse.
When discussing the person or team you won *against*, you use the preposition prieš followed by the accusative. This is a common structure in sports reporting. For example, 'Lietuva laimėjo prieš Ispaniją' (Lithuania won against Spain). Alternatively, you can use the verb nugalėti (to defeat), which takes a direct object without a preposition: 'Lietuva nugalėjo Ispaniją'.
- Past Tense Nuances
- The past tense 'laimėjo' is used to state a completed fact. 'Vakar aš laimėjau' (Yesterday I won). It is definitive and final.
In the future tense, laimės is often used to express predictions or hopes. In Lithuanian culture, especially regarding the national basketball team, you will often hear fans chanting 'Mes laimėsim!' (We will win!). The future tense is formed by adding the suffix -s- to the stem: laimė-s-iu, laimė-s-i, laimė-s.
Kas, tavo nuomone, laimės šių metų rinkimus?
- Conditional Mood
- The conditional 'laimėčiau' (I would win) is used for hypothetical scenarios. 'Jei turėčiau daugiau laiko, laimėčiau šį maratoną' (If I had more time, I would win this marathon).
The imperative form laimėk (win!) is a strong word of encouragement. Parents might say it to their children before a test, or coaches to their athletes. It carries a command of confidence. 'Eik ir laimėk!' (Go and win!).
Svarbiausia ne dalyvauti, o laimėti, sako kai kurie ambicingi sportininkai.
- Infinitive with Modal Verbs
- The infinitive 'laimėti' is frequently paired with 'gali' (can), 'nori' (want), or 'turi' (must). 'Tu gali laimėti' (You can win).
If you spend any time in Lithuania during the EuroBasket tournament, you will hear laimėti more than almost any other verb. It is the heartbeat of the nation's sporting identity. News broadcasts start with the phrase 'Lietuva laimėjo' when the national team succeeds. Commentators shout it with passion, and fans discuss the 'galimybė laimėti' (possibility to win) in every cafe from Vilnius to Klaipėda.
Po įtemptos kovos Žalgiris sugebėjo laimėti paskutinėmis sekundėmis.
In the business world, laimėti is used in the context of tenders and contracts. A company might 'laimėti konkursą' (win a tender) to build a new bridge or provide IT services. In this professional setting, it denotes competitive superiority and successful negotiation. You will see it in headlines of business newspapers like 'Verslo žinios.'
- TV and Media
- Game shows are another major source of this word. Hosts of shows like 'Teleloto' or 'Kas laimės milijoną?' constantly use the verb to build tension. 'Ar jis laimės?' (Will he win?) is the question on every viewer's mind.
In schools, children use laimėti during recess and gym class. It's one of the first competitive verbs a Lithuanian child learns. 'Aš laimėjau!' (I won!) is a common cry on playgrounds. It's also used in academic contexts, such as winning a 'olimpiada' (a subject-specific competition like a Math Olympiad).
Vaikai žaidė gaudynių ir Jonas vėl laimėjo.
- Legal and Political Arenas
- In courtrooms, a lawyer might 'laimėti bylą' (win a case). In elections, a politician 'laimėjo rinkimus' (won the elections). It signifies a definitive legal or social victory.
Finally, you will encounter it in everyday social interactions. If someone gets a great deal at a shop, they might jokingly say they 'won' (laimėjau), implying they got the better end of the bargain. It is a word of triumph, small or large, that permeates all levels of Lithuanian life.
Mes turime laimėti šį ginčą, kad apgintume savo teises.
One of the most frequent errors for English speakers learning Lithuanian is confusing laimėti with uždirbti. In English, you can 'win' money in a lottery, but you also 'earn' money at a job. While English sometimes uses 'win' metaphorically for earning (like 'winning a living'), Lithuanian is very strict. You only laimėti if there is a competition or luck involved. If you worked 40 hours a week for your paycheck, you uždirbote the money.
- The 'Against' Preposition
- Beginners often forget the preposition 'prieš' when saying they won against someone. Saying 'Aš laimėjau tave' sounds like you won the person as a prize (like winning a slave), which is incorrect and awkward. You must say 'Aš laimėjau prieš tave'.
Incorrect: Mes laimėjome krepšinio komandą. (We won the basketball team - as if we now own them.)
Correct: Mes laimėjome prieš krepšinio komandą.
Another mistake involves the reflexive form. While some Lithuanian verbs have common reflexive counterparts, laimėtis is not used to mean 'to win oneself.' However, people sometimes mistakenly add the reflexive particle -si- thinking it adds emphasis. Stick to the simple laimėti for all standard 'winning' scenarios.
- Case Confusion
- The prize won must always be in the accusative. A common error is using the nominative. For example, 'Laimėjau automobilis' is wrong; it must be 'Laimėjau automobilį'.
Tense usage can also be tricky. Because winning is often an 'all or nothing' event, Lithuanians almost always use the perfective aspect (the simple verb laimėti). There isn't really a common 'imperfective' way to say 'I was winning' in the sense of a continuous process without using other verbs like pirmauti (to be in the lead). If you say 'Aš laimėjau,' it means you have already crossed the finish line.
Nors jis pirmavo visą laiką, galiausiai jis nesugebėjo laimėti.
While laimėti is the most versatile word for winning, Lithuanian offers several nuances through other verbs. Depending on whether you are emphasizing the defeat of an opponent, the achievement of a goal, or the act of being in first place, you might choose a different term.
- Nugalėti vs. Laimėti
- 'Nugalėti' specifically means 'to defeat' or 'to conquer.' You 'nugalėti' an enemy or an opponent. 'Laimėti' is broader and focuses on the victory itself or the prize. You 'laimėti' a game, but you 'nugalėti' the other team.
Karys nugalėjo savo baimę ir laimėjo mūšį.
If you are currently in the lead but the game isn't over yet, the word to use is pirmauti. This is equivalent to 'to be winning' or 'to be in first place.' It describes a state rather than a final result. In sports commentary, you will hear 'Lietuva pirmauja penkiais taškais' (Lithuania is leading by five points).
- Pasiekti pergalę
- This is a more formal, slightly more 'grand' way to say 'to achieve victory.' It is often used in political speeches or historical texts. 'Mes pasiekėme pergalę prieš tironiją' (We achieved victory over tyranny).
For winning a prize in a more administrative or academic sense, sometimes pelnė (from pelnyti - to earn/deserve) is used. For example, 'Filmas pelnė Oskarą' (The movie won/earned an Oscar). This implies the win was based on merit and quality rather than just a score or luck.
- Summary of Alternatives
-
- Laimėti: To win (general, prize, game).
- Nugalėti: To defeat (opponent, fear).
- Pirmauti: To lead (during the process).
- Išlošti: To win money/gambling.
- Pelnyti: To earn/win (award based on merit).
Nors jie pirmavo visą laiką, paskutinę minutę varžovai laimėjo.
Guide de prononciation
- Pronouncing 'ai' as two separate vowels.
- Making the 'ė' sound too short; it must be long and closed.
- Missing the palatalization (softening) of the 'm' before 'ė'.
- Stressing the first syllable instead of the second.
- Confusing 'ė' with 'e'.
Exemples par niveau
Aš noriu laimėti.
I want to win.
Simple infinitive after 'noriu'.
Kas laimėjo žaidimą?
Who won the game?
Past tense third person.
Tu laimėjai!
You won!
Second person singular past tense.
Mes laimime šiandien.
We are winning today.
First person plural present tense.
Ar jis laimės?
Will he win?
Third person future tense.
Mano brolis laimėjo prizą.
My brother won a prize.
Object 'prizą' is in the accusative case.
Laimėti yra smagu.
To win is fun.
Infinitive as a subject.
Aš visada laimiu.
I always win.
Present tense indicating a habit.
Mūsų komanda laimėjo prieš kaimynus.
Our team won against the neighbors.
Use of 'prieš' + accusative for the opponent.
Ji laimėjo pirmąją vietą.
She won first place.
Ordinal number in accusative case.
Mes laimėsime šį medalį.
We will win this medal.
Future tense with specific object.
Ar tu kada nors laimėjai loterijoje?
Have you ever won in the lottery?
Locative case 'loterijoje' for the context.
Jie laimėjo bilietus į koncertą.
They won tickets to a concert.
Plural accusative 'bilietus'.
Mano tėtis laimėjo šachmatų turnyrą.
My dad won a chess tournament.
Genitive 'šachmatų' describing the tournament.
Laimėk šį žaidimą dėl manęs!
Win this game for me!
Imperative mood 'laimėk'.
Vakar mes laimėjome penkis eurus.
Yesterday we won five euros.
Past tense with a specific amount.
Jei laimėčiau milijoną, keliaučiau aplink pasaulį.
If I won a million, I would travel around the world.
Conditional mood 'laimėčiau'.
Mums pavyko laimėti šiek tiek laiko.
We managed to win/gain a little time.
Metaphorical use with 'laiko'.
Kaip laimėti kliento pasitikėjimą?
How to win a client's trust?
Abstract object 'pasitikėjimą'.
Ši įmonė laimėjo viešąjį konkursą.
This company won the public tender.
Professional context: 'konkursą'.
Niekas netikėjo, kad jie gali laimėti.
No one believed that they could win.
Subordinate clause with 'kad'.
Svarbu ne tik laimėti, bet ir garbingai žaisti.
It is important not only to win, but also to play honorably.
Infinitive used in a moral statement.
Kiekvienas nori laimėti pagrindinį prizą.
Everyone wants to win the main prize.
Adjective 'pagrindinį' in accusative.
Ji laimėjo stipendiją studijoms užsienyje.
She won a scholarship for studies abroad.
Context of academic achievement.
Advokatas tikisi laimėti šią sudėtingą bylą.
The lawyer hopes to win this complex case.
Legal context: 'bylą'.
Politikas laimėjo rinkimus didele persvara.
The politician won the elections by a large margin.
Political context: 'rinkimus'.
Mokslininkas laimėjo prestižinį apdovanojimą už savo tyrimus.
The scientist won a prestigious award for their research.
Academic/Professional context.
Ar įmanoma laimėti karą be aukų?
Is it possible to win a war without casualties?
Existential/Philosophical question.
Jie laimėjo ginčą pateikę svarius įrodymus.
They won the argument by presenting solid evidence.
Use of a participle 'pateikę'.
Norint laimėti rinką, reikia inovacijų.
To win the market, innovations are needed.
Business metaphor: 'laimėti rinką'.
Knyga laimėjo skaitytojų širdis visame pasaulyje.
The book won the hearts of readers all over the world.
Idiomatic use: 'laimėti širdis'.
Mes laimėjome šią kovą, bet karas tęsiasi.
We won this battle, but the war continues.
Contrast between 'kova' and 'karas'.
Reikia didelės drąsos laimėti prieš savo vidinius demonus.
It takes great courage to win against one's inner demons.
Psychological/Metaphorical use.
Lietuva laimėjo nepriklausomybę po ilgų priespaudos metų.
Lithuania won/gained independence after long years of oppression.
Historical/Existential context.
Ši strategija leido mums laimėti konkurencinį pranašumą.
This strategy allowed us to gain a competitive advantage.
Business terminology: 'konkurencinį pranašumą'.
Laimėjusieji bus paskelbti rytoj ryte.
The winners will be announced tomorrow morning.
Substantivized participle 'laimėjusieji'.
Autorius sugebėjo laimėti kritikų palankumą.
The author managed to win the favor of the critics.
Abstract social gain.
Tai buvo laimėta kova, bet prarasta savigarba.
It was a won battle, but lost self-respect.
Passive participle 'laimėta'.
Tik stipriausios dvasios žmonės laimi tokiose situacijose.
Only people of the strongest spirit win in such situations.
Generalizing statement.
Laimėti nereiškia visko, jei prarandi savo vertybes.
Winning doesn't mean everything if you lose your values.
Philosophical reflection.
Epinis herojus laimėjo prieš dievų valią.
The epic hero won against the will of the gods.
Literary/Mythological context.
Politinis diskursas buvo nukreiptas į tai, kaip laimėti masių pritarimą.
Political discourse was aimed at how to win the approval of the masses.
High-level political analysis.
Laimėti laiko šioje situacijoje yra prabanga, kurios neturime.
Winning time in this situation is a luxury we don't have.
Nuanced use of 'prabanga'.
Jis laimėjo bylą remdamasis archajiškais įstatymų straipsniais.
He won the case based on archaic articles of the law.
Technical legal context.
Ar pergalė, laimėta apgaule, išties yra pergalė?
Is a victory won by deceit truly a victory?
Rhetorical question with passive participle.
Laimėti prieš užmarštį yra didžiausias menininko siekis.
To win against oblivion is the artist's greatest aspiration.
Highly abstract/Philosophical.
Ši partija laimėjo, nes sėkmingai išnaudojo oponentų klaidas.
This party won because it successfully exploited the opponents' mistakes.
Strategic analysis.
Laimėti prieš gamtos stichijas žmogui ne visada pavyksta.
Man does not always succeed in winning against the elements of nature.
Existential struggle.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
— A common saying: 'It's not about winning, but participating.'
Neliūdėk, juk svarbu ne laimėti, o dalyvauti.
— To win at any cost, regardless of the consequences.
Jie buvo pasiryžę laimėti bet kokia kaina.
— To overcome one's own weaknesses or limitations.
Didžiausia pergalė yra laimėti prieš patį save.
— Literally 'to win the pot of gold', meaning to win the jackpot.
Vakar kažkas laimėjo aukso puodą!
— To gain an opportunity that ensures a good future.
Šis išsilavinimas yra tavo laimėtas bilietas į ateitį.
— Equivalent to 'Nothing ventured, nothing gained.'
Eik ir bandyk, nes kas nerizikuoja, tas nelaimi.
— To win without the opponent scoring a single point.
Žalgiris laimėjo sausu rezultatu.
— To stall or gain extra time in a situation.
Turime laimėti laiko, kol atvyks pagalba.
Expressions idiomatiques
— To win a huge sum of money or have incredible luck.
Kai gavau šį darbą, jaučiausi lyg laimėjęs aukso puodą.
neutral— To achieve a small success but fail in the overall goal.
Mes laimėjome šį ginčą, bet pralaimėjome karą dėl kliento.
neutral— To make someone fall in love with you.
Savo dainomis jis laimėjo jos širdį.
romantic— Modern slang for winning the jackpot or achieving ultimate success.
Su šia investicija mes laimėjome jack-potą.
informal— Usually used ironically to mean getting into a situation with no return.
Jis laimėjo bilietą į vieną pusę į kalėjimą.
sarcastic— To win something very easily, as if it were served on a plate.
Jam viskas gyvenime laimėta ant lėkštutės.
informal— To succeed against all odds or destiny.
Ji sugebėjo laimėti prieš likimą ir pasveikti.
literary— To finally achieve a state of peace after struggle.
Po visų vargų jis laimėjo ramybę.
literary— Rare/Archaic: To earn one's living (winning the bread).
Sunkus darbas laimi duoną.
archaicSummary
The verb 'laimėti' is the universal Lithuanian word for winning. Whether you are talking about basketball, a lottery, or winning someone's heart, this is your go-to word. Remember: you win *something* (accusative) or win *against* someone (prieš + accusative).
- The primary Lithuanian verb for 'to win' in sports, games, and lotteries.
- Derived from 'laimė' (luck), emphasizing the role of fortune in success.
- Requires the prize to be in the accusative case and the opponent after 'prieš'.
- Versatile word used from simple childhood games to complex legal and political victories.