Significado
Being witty or prone to sarcasm.
Contexto cultural
In Lithuanian villages, a person with an 'aštrus liežuvis' was often the one who led the 'vėlinės' or wedding songs that involved teasing. Lithuanian talk show hosts are often judged by the 'sharpness' of their tongue; a 'dull' host is considered boring. During the Soviet era, 'sharp-tongued' humor was a way to bypass censorship through Aesopian language. In Lithuanian universities, intellectual 'fencing' with sharp tongues is a respected tradition in seminars.
Use with 'turi'
Always remember that in 90% of cases, you will use the accusative form: 'turi aštrų liežuvį'.
Context matters
Calling a boss 'sharp-tongued' can be a compliment or a complaint. Check your tone!
Significado
Being witty or prone to sarcasm.
Use with 'turi'
Always remember that in 90% of cases, you will use the accusative form: 'turi aštrų liežuvį'.
Context matters
Calling a boss 'sharp-tongued' can be a compliment or a complaint. Check your tone!
The 'Sarcasm' connection
Lithuanians love irony. Having an 'aštrus liežuvis' is often seen as a sign of being 'savas' (one of us).
Teste-se
Fill in the correct form of the idiom.
Mano sesuo visada sako tiesą, ji turi ______ ______.
After the verb 'turi' (has), we need the accusative case.
Which phrase describes someone who is witty and sarcastic?
Kaip apibūdintumėte žmogų, kuris greitai ir protingai juokauja?
'Ilgas liežuvis' is for gossip, 'Aštrus' is for wit.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ar girdėjai, ką jis pasakė direktoriui? B: Taip, jis tikrai nebijo naudoti savo ______.
The verb 'naudoti' (to use) takes the genitive case in this context.
Match the person to the description.
Match: 1. A comedian who roasts the audience. 2. A person who tells everyone's secrets.
Sharp for wit, long for secrets.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosMano sesuo visada sako tiesą, ji turi ______ ______.
After the verb 'turi' (has), we need the accusative case.
Kaip apibūdintumėte žmogų, kuris greitai ir protingai juokauja?
'Ilgas liežuvis' is for gossip, 'Aštrus' is for wit.
A: Ar girdėjai, ką jis pasakė direktoriui? B: Taip, jis tikrai nebijo naudoti savo ______.
The verb 'naudoti' (to use) takes the genitive case in this context.
Match: 1. A comedian who roasts the audience. 2. A person who tells everyone's secrets.
Sharp for wit, long for secrets.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
5 perguntasNo, it can be a compliment for someone's intelligence and quick wit.
Yes, if a child is very precocious and has clever comebacks, you can say they have an 'aštrus liežuvis'.
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but you might say someone is 'švelnaus būdo' (of a gentle nature).
Yes, it is almost a perfect 1:1 translation of the English idiom.
You say 'Jis yra aštriakalbis' or 'Jis turi aštrų liežuvį'.
Frases relacionadas
Kandus liežuvis
synonymBiting tongue
Ilgas liežuvis
contrastLong tongue (gossip)
Liežuvis nesisuka
contrastTongue doesn't turn
Aštriakalbis
specialized formSharp-spoken person
Platus liežuvis
similarWide tongue
