vakarėlis
[ʋɐkɐ²ˈrʲeːlʲɪs]masculine
The English word 'party' (social gathering) can be translated into Lithuanian as vakarėlis or pobūvis.
Meaning: social gathering (noun)
Ways to say it
| Lithuanian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| vakarėlis | [ʋɐkɐ²ˈrʲeːlʲɪs] (narrow) | masculine |
| pobūvis | masculine |
These terms describe social gatherings and celebrations. You can use the phrase gimtadienio šventė to specify a birthday party, or vestuvių šventė for a wedding party.
What does it mean word for word?
The word vakarėlis is a diminutive form of vakaras (evening), so it literally means a little evening.
Which one should you use?
Vakarėlis is used for smaller, more cozy or casual social gatherings among friends. In contrast, pobūvis typically refers to a more organized or substantial celebration, such as a banquet or a large festive gathering.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the word vakarėlis in the genitive case (for example, to say 'the music of the party'), it changes to vakarėlio.
Did you know?
- The Lithuanian word for a larger celebration, šventė, is rooted in the word for 'holy'. This means that even a secular party is linguistically linked to the concept of a sacred holiday.
- Because vakarėlis is built on the word for 'evening', using it for a party held at noon would be a linguistic oddity, even if the gathering is small.
- The suffix -ėlis in vakarėlis does more than just shrink the size of the party. It often adds a layer of affection or a 'cozy' emotional quality to the event.
Examples in context
- Planuojame organizuoti prabangią šventę šeimos ratoje.We are planning to organize a fancy party within a family circle.
- Šiandien bus labai smagus vakarėlis.There will be a very fun party today.
- Mano gimtadienio vakarėlis prasideda rytoj.My birthday party starts tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “party” translations and entries vakarėlis, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
