neformalus

Neformalus is a Lithuanian adjective meaning not formal, informal, or casual. It is used to describe people, settings, attire, or communication that are relaxed or unofficial in character. For example, neformalus stilius refers to a casual style, while neformalus susitikimas denotes an informal gathering. The term is commonly applied to social, educational, and organizational contexts.

Etymology and form: Neformalus is formed by the negation prefix ne- attached to formalus, the latter meaning formal. In Lithuanian, adjectives agree with the noun they modify in gender and number, so forms such as neformalus, neformali, or neformalu appear depending on grammatical gender and case.

Usage in education and policy: In educational discourse, neformalus ugdymas or neformalus švietimas refers to non-formal education—learning activities outside the formal school system, often community-based, voluntary, and aimed at developing skills or knowledge not tied to formal degrees. This includes workshops, youth programs, and workplace training. In policy contexts, neformalus education is discussed alongside formal schooling as part of lifelong learning and social inclusion strategies.

Sociocultural and economic usage: The term also appears in sociolinguistic and anthropological discussions to describe unofficial networks, informal governance, or workplace practices that operate without formal rules or hierarchies. While neformalus often carries neutral descriptive connotations, some contexts emphasize its distinction from formal, standardized procedures or attire.

See also: formal education, non-formal education, informal sector, informal language.