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
A schematic selection of the main areas where the language is used. Language use does not always follow national borders, and the map does not show complete population statistics.
Language profile
Lithuanian at a glance
- Native name
- lietuvių kalba
- Language family
- Baltic language
- Script
- Latin alphabet
- Language code
- lt
Documents and areas of use
Common uses for this language combination
It is not just about the language. ABBA-Sprachendienste also takes into account the document type, recipient, subject area, certification requirements and the language combination you need.
Have your document checked- 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 glimpse of the language
Three phrases to start with
The transliteration is only a rough guide. Pronunciation and regional forms may differ.
| Original | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Laba diena | — | Good day |
| Ačiū | — | Thank you |
| Prašau | — | Please |
Sources and classification
Further information
Speaker numbers are rounded guide figures and may vary depending on the definition, the year of the survey 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 as of 14 July 2026. The information will be cross-checked by subject experts before the website goes live.
Other related service languages
Lithuanian FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Lithuanian
Can I have Lithuanian translated into German and German into Lithuanian?
You can request either direction. We give a binding commitment once we have checked the document type, subject area, certification, appointment and intended use.
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?
We check the language combination, document type, script (Latin alphabet), names, stamps, subject area, intended use and whether certification may be needed.
Do I need a certified translation of my Lithuanian document?
That is decided by the authority, court or notary receiving the document, or by whichever other office has requested it. Tell ABBA-Sprachendienste where the document will be submitted, so that your requirements can be assessed properly.
Is a photo enough for the initial check?
Yes. A complete, sharp and clearly legible photo or PDF is usually enough for us to check your request and prepare a quote. Depending on the job, the original may also be needed later, when the work is carried out.
Have your specific Lithuanian ↔ German requirements assessed
Send a clear photo or PDF. ABBA-Sprachendienste will personally check the language combination, document, intended use and whether certification is needed.
