Archaic linguistic features
Lithuanian preserves grammatical forms that are of particular interest to historical linguistics.
Baltic language
Have Lithuanian translated
lietuvių kalba
Lithuanian has its own Baltic grammar and orthography. In official documents, complete special characters, forms of names and historical context all matter.
Lithuanian is spoken by approximately three million people, mainly in Lithuania and diaspora communities.
Geographical distribution of Lithuanian
- Main areas of use
- Other regional use
- Selected diaspora communities
Lithuania
Germany
United Kingdom
Schematic selection of key areas where the language is used. Language use does not always follow national borders; the map is not a comprehensive population statistic.
Language profile
Lithuanian at a glance
- Native name
- lietuvių kalba
- Language family
- Baltic language
- Script
- Latin alphabet
- Language code
- lt
Documents and uses
Common uses for this language combination
The language alone is not decisive. ABBA-Sprachendienste also considers the document type, recipient, subject area, certification requirements and requested language direction.
Request a document review- Birth and marriage certificates
- Diplomas and school certificates
- Employment and social-security records
- Court and official documents
- Contracts and powers of attorney
Origin and development
How the language developed
Lithuanian belongs to the Baltic branch of the Indo-European language family and preserves many ancient grammatical features. The first surviving Lithuanian book was published in 1547.
A more uniform written language gained importance during the national movement of the 19th century. Older documents may contain traces of Polish, Russian or German administration.
Good to know
What makes this language distinctive
Special characters
Ą, č, ę, ė, į, š, ų, ū and ž must be reproduced exactly in names and titles.
Variable forms of names
Surnames may have endings that depend on gender and marital status; these forms must not be standardised without careful consideration.
A brief introduction to the language
Three introductory expressions
The transliteration is intended only as an initial guide. Pronunciation and regional forms may vary.
| Original | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Laba diena | — | Good day |
| Ačiū | — | Thank you |
| Prašau | — | Please |
Sources and classification
Further information
Speaker numbers are rounded estimates and may vary depending on the definition, survey year and whether second-language speakers are included.
- Lithuanian language
Wikipedia · language-specific overview
- Codes for the Representation of Names of Languages
Library of Congress / ISO 639-2 Registration Authority · Language codes and standardised language names
- Language and Locale Names
Unicode Common Locale Data Repository · Language, script and territory names and variants
- Glottolog 5.3
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology · Language families, classification and linguistic literature
Editorial sources current as at 14 July 2026. The information will undergo a specialist review before the production launch.
Other related service languages
Lithuanian FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Lithuanian
Can I have Lithuanian translated into German and German into Lithuanian?
Both directions can be requested. Binding confirmation is provided after the document type, subject area, certification requirements, appointment and intended use have been assessed.
Which documents are commonly relevant for Lithuanian?
Birth and marriage certificates, diplomas and school certificates, employment and social-security records, and court and official documents are typical examples. Other types of document can also be assessed from a clear photograph or PDF.
What does ABBA-Sprachendienste check in Lithuanian documents?
The review covers the language direction, document type, use of the Latin alphabet, names, stamps, subject area, intended use and any potential need for certification.
Do I need a certified translation of my Lithuanian document?
The receiving authority, court, notary or other requesting body decides this. Tell ABBA-Sprachendienste where the document will be submitted so that the requirements can be assessed appropriately.
Is a photo sufficient for the initial review?
Yes. A complete, sharp and clearly legible photo or PDF is usually sufficient for an initial quotation review. Depending on the assignment, the original may also be required later.
Have your specific Lithuanian ↔ German requirements assessed
Send a clear photo or PDF. ABBA-Sprachendienste will personally assess the language direction, document, intended use and certification requirements.
