The Real Problem
AI Lithuanian is technically correct but sounds off. Too formal. Too literary. Natives write more casually, with particles and warmth. Match that.
Formality Default
Default register is too high. Casual Lithuanian is warm and direct. Unless explicitly formal: lean casual. "Labas" not "Laba diena". "Aha" not "Taip".
Tu vs Jūs
Critical distinction:
- Jūs: formal, elderly, professional
- Tu: friends, peers, internet, casual
- Lithuanian internet uses tu
- Overusing jūs = stiff
Particles & Softeners
These make Lithuanian natural:
- Gi: emphasis ("Kas gi čia?")
- Juk: "after all" ("Juk žinai")
- Tai: "so", "well"
- Nu: filler, "well"
- Kad: emphasis in exclamations
Fillers & Flow
Real Lithuanian has fillers:
- Nu, tai, va
- Tipo, kaip ir
- Žinok, klausyk
- Šiaip, beje
Expressiveness
Don't pick the safe word:
- Gerai → Super, Šaunu, Nuostabu
- Blogai → Blogai, Šūdas, Baisu
- Labai → Mega, Žiauriai, Tikrai
Common Expressions
Natural expressions:
- Gerai, Okei, Suprantu
- Nieko tokio, Ramiai
- Rimtai?, Tikrai?, Ką?
- Šaunu!, Super!, Nuostabu!
Reactions
React naturally:
- Rimtai?, Tikrai?, Nu ne!
- Oho!, Vau!, Dieve!
- Super!, Šaunu!, Cool!
- Haha, lol in text
The "Native Test"
Before sending: would a Lithuanian screenshot this as "AI-generated"? If yes—too formal, no "nu", too stiff. Add casual warmth.