praktikuotis

Praktikuotis is a Lithuanian reflexive verb meaning to practice, to drill, or to train, especially in order to improve one’s skills. It describes engaging in repeated, self-directed activity rather than delivering a finished performance to an audience. The verb is formed from praktikuoti (to practise) with the reflexive suffix -otis, and it belongs to the class of pronominal verbs in Lithuanian.

The term is used across domains such as sports, music, languages, crafts, and professional tasks. It emphasizes self-improvement through regular practice. In everyday language, people say that someone is practicing to improve a skill or competence, rather than simply performing it. The reflexive form also conveys that the activity is undertaken by the subject for their own benefit or development.

Present-tense forms illustrate its reflexive nature: aš praktikuojuosi, tu praktikuojiesi, jis/ji praktikuojasi, mes praktikuojamės, jūs praktikuojatės, jie praktikuojasi. For example: Jis kasdien praktikuojasi groti pianinu. Studentai praktikuojasi kalbėti lietuviškai. Past and future tenses follow the standard Lithuanian grammar for verbs of this class, with the reflexive pronoun included where appropriate.

Etymology traces praktikuotis to praktikuoti (to practise) plus the reflexive suffix, yielding a nuance of self-directed, ongoing preparation. Related forms include the non-reflexive praktikuoti, which can describe practising a method or skill in a more general, sometimes transitive sense.