Veikiantys

Veikiantys is a Lithuanian word derived from the verb veikti, meaning "to act" or "to work." As a present participle, veikiantys literally translates as "working" or "active." The term is used primarily in legal, economic, and sociological contexts to denote persons engaged in productive tasks or activities. For example, in census records and labor statistics, the phrase veikiantys žmonės (working people) refers to the employed segment of the population, distinguishing them from students, retirees, or unemployed individuals.

The word also appears in cultural discussions about the value of labor. Lithuanian literature and prose of the 20th century uses veikiantys to emphasize industriousness and self-sufficiency, often portraying characters who embody the “working class” ethos. In political discourse, veikiantys workers (veikiantys darbininkai) have been a focal point of labor negotiations, union movements, and debates over wages and working conditions.

In everyday usage, veikiantys can describe factories (veikiantis gamykla), systems (veikianti infrastruktūra), or even personal habits (veikiantis žmogus). The term thus functions as a broad, neutral descriptor for any entity or individual participating in purposeful action.

Since the early language reforms of the twentieth century, veikiantys has remained a stable component of the Lithuanian lexicon, reflecting the country’s emphasis on labor as a key societal pillar. The word finds cognates in other Baltic languages, such as Latvian veikojis, underscoring shared linguistic heritage.