Ką veiki?
Ką veiki? is the Lithuanian way to say "what are you doing?"
This phrase functions as an informal greeting used to ask someone what they are up to at the moment.
What does it mean word for word?
Ką means "what" and veiki is the second-person singular present tense of veikti, which means "to do" or "to act".
Which one should you use?
Ką veiki? is used for friends or peers, whereas Ką veikiate? is used for groups or to show respect to an elder or stranger.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural or polite form of the phrase is Ką veikiate?
When do people say it?
A common response to this greeting is Nieko specialaus, meaning "Nothing special".
Did you know?
- Lithuanian is one of the most archaic Indo-European languages, meaning the structure of Ką veiki? preserves linguistic features similar to ancient Sanskrit.
- In Lithuanian culture, using the informal Ką veiki? with a stranger is not just casual, it can actually be perceived as sounding rude or even aggressive.
- In Lithuanian, the word veikti is used to describe whether a machine is working, meaning the same verb used in Ką veiki? is the word for 'functioning'.
Examples in context
- Aš dirbu. Ačiū, kad paklausėte!I am working. Thank you for asking!
- Žiūriu televizorių. O tu?I am watching television. And you?
- Labas, ką veiki?Hi, what are you doing?
Example conversation
Rūta and Mantas meet by chance on the street.
- RūtaMantas, sveikas! Ką veiki?Mantas, hi! What are you up to?
- MantasSveika, Rūta. Einu į parduotuvę.Hi, Rūta. I am going to the shop.
- RūtaKą perka Mantas?What is Mantas buying?
- MantasPerku tik šiek tiek duonos.I am just buying some bread.
