ate
The Lithuanian phrase for "bye bye" is ate.
ate is used as a casual way to say goodbye when leaving someone.
Did you know?
- The word ate might be a distant relative of the French word adieu, having traveled into Lithuanian through a Slavic language.
- English speakers might find it odd that ate is used even when the speaker is the one staying and the other person is the one leaving.
- Depending on the context, ate is often paired with a wave, but in very traditional rural settings, a simple nod of the head is common.
Example conversation
Mantas and Rūta are leaving a coffee shop.
- MantasAte, Rūta!Bye, Rūta!
- RūtaAte, Mantai!Bye, Mantas!
- MantasIki vakar!Until tonight!
- RūtaIki!See ya!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ate, CC BY-SA 4.0.
