Language/Belarusian/Grammar/Cases

◀️ Gender — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Plurals ▶️

Belarusian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Nouns → Cases

Introduction

Welcome to the lesson on cases in the Belarusian language! Cases play a crucial role in Belarusian grammar, as they indicate the various relationships between nouns and other words in a sentence. By understanding and mastering cases, you will be able to express yourself more accurately and effectively in Belarusian.

In this lesson, we will explore the different cases used in Belarusian and learn how to use them correctly. We will provide comprehensive explanations, numerous examples, and engaging practice exercises to ensure that you grasp the concepts fully. Additionally, we will delve into the cultural aspects related to the usage of cases, providing you with a deeper understanding of the language and its context.

Let's begin our journey into the fascinating world of Belarusian cases!

Nominative Case

The nominative case is the default case for nouns in Belarusian. It is used to identify the subject of a sentence or to indicate the complement of a copulative verb. In other words, the nominative case is used when a noun is the main actor or the main subject of a sentence.

Here are some examples of nouns in the nominative case:

Belarusian	Pronunciation	English
кніга	kniha	book
маці	matsi	mother
сонца	santsa	sun
стол	stol	table

In the examples above, the nouns "кніга" (book), "маці" (mother), "сонца" (sun), and "стол" (table) are all in the nominative case. They represent the subjects or the complement of the copulative verbs in the respective sentences.

Accusative Case

The accusative case is used to indicate the direct object of a verb in a sentence. It answers the question "whom?" or "what?" in relation to the action expressed by the verb.

For example:

Belarusian	Pronunciation	English
Я бачу кнігу.	Ya bachu knihu.	I see the book.
Я люблю маці.	Ya liubliu matsi.	I love my mother.
Я прадаў сонца.	Ya pradaŭ santsa.	I sold the sun.
Я паклала кнігу на стол.	Ya paklala knihu na stol.	I put the book on the table.

In the sentences above, the nouns "кнігу" (book), "маці" (mother), "сонца" (sun), and "стол" (table) are all in the accusative case. They represent the direct objects of the verbs "бачу" (see), "люблю" (love), "прадаў" (sold), and "паклала" (put) respectively.

Genitive Case

The genitive case is used to indicate possession or to express the absence of something. It answers the questions "whose?" or "of what?" in relation to the noun.

For example:

Belarusian	Pronunciation	English
Кніга маці.	Kniha matsi.	Mother's book.
Цяпер няма сонца.	Ciaper niama santsa.	There is no sun now.
Я прадаў стола.	Ya pradaŭ stola.	I sold the table.

In the examples above, the nouns "маці" (mother), "сонца" (sun), and "стол" (table) are in the genitive case. They indicate possession or the absence of something in relation to the nouns "кніга" (book), "няма" (no), and "прадаў" (sold) respectively.

Dative Case

The dative case is used to indicate the indirect object of a verb or to express the purpose or the aim of an action. It answers the questions "to whom?" or "for what purpose?" in relation to the verb.

For example:

Belarusian	Pronunciation	English
Я даў кнігу сыну.	Ya daŭ knihu synu.	I gave the book to my son.
Я памагаю маці.	Ya pamahaiu matsi.	I help my mother.
Я шлею ліст сонцу.	Ya shlieiu list santsu.	I send a letter to the sun.

In the sentences above, the nouns "сыну" (son), "маці" (mother), and "сонцу" (sun) are in the dative case. They represent the indirect objects of the verbs "даў" (gave), "памагаю" (help), and "шлею" (send) respectively.

Instrumental Case

The instrumental case is used to indicate the means or the instrument by which an action is performed. It can also indicate the company or the accompaniment of a person or an object. It answers the question "by what means?" or "with whom?" in relation to the action.

For example:

Belarusian	Pronunciation	English
Я пішу кнігай.	Ya pishu knihai.	I write with a pen.
Я гуляю з мацямі.	Ya huliayu z matsiamі.	I play with my friends.
Я малюю сонцам.	Ya maliuiu santsam.	I paint with the sun.

In the sentences above, the nouns "кнігай" (pen), "мацямі" (friends), and "сонцам" (sun) are in the instrumental case. They represent the means or the instrument by which the actions of writing, playing, and painting are performed.

Locative Case

The locative case is used to indicate the location or the place where an action takes place. It answers the question "where?" in relation to the action.

For example:

Belarusian	Pronunciation	English
Я жыву ў горадзе.	Ya zhyvu u horadze.	I live in the city.
Я працую на ферме.	Ya pratsuiu na ferme.	I work on a farm.
Я співаю пад дрэвамі.	Ya spivaiu pad dreŭamі.	I sing under the trees.

In the sentences above, the nouns "горадзе" (city), "ферме" (farm), and "дрэвамі" (trees) are in the locative case. They represent the locations or the places where the actions of living, working, and singing take place.

Vocative Case

The vocative case is used to address or call someone directly. It is often used in exclamations or when trying to get someone's attention.

For example:

Belarusian	Pronunciation	English
Прывітанне, Міхась!	Pryvitannie, Mikhas!	Hello, Mikhas!
Слава Беларусі!	Slava Bielarusi!	Glory to Belarus!
Ты чуеш, сонца?	Ty chuesh, santsa?	Can you hear me, sun?

In the sentences above, the nouns "Міхась" (Mikhas), "Беларусі" (Belarus), and "сонца" (sun) are in the vocative case. They represent the direct address or the direct calling of the respective persons or objects.

Summary

In this lesson, we have explored the different cases used in Belarusian. We have learned about the nominative, accusative, genitive, dative, instrumental, locative, and vocative cases, and how they are used to indicate various relationships between nouns and other words in a sentence.

Understanding cases is essential in mastering Belarusian grammar and expressing yourself accurately. By practicing and applying the concepts learned in this lesson, you will become more proficient in using cases in your own conversations and writing.

Continue to practice and explore the intricacies of Belarusian cases, and soon you will find yourself speaking and understanding the language with ease.

Exercises

Now, let's practice what we have learned! Complete the following exercises by selecting the correct form of the noun in the given case.

Exercise 1

Choose the correct form of the noun "брат" (brother) in the given case.

• Вітаю, __________!
• Я бачу тваё __________.
• Я даў кнігу сваёму __________.
• Я пішу з маім __________.

Solution:

• Вітаю, __брату__!
• Я бачу тваё __брата__.
• Я даў кнігу сваёму __брату__.
• Я пішу з маім __братам__.

Exercise 2

Choose the correct form of the noun "дом" (house) in the given case.

• Я жыву ў __________.
• Я працую на тваім __________.
• Я прадаў кнігу за __________.
• Я гуляю пад __________.

Solution:

• Я жыву ў __доме__.
• Я працую на тваім __доме__.
• Я прадаў кнігу за __дом__.
• Я гуляю пад __домам__.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have completed the lesson on cases in Belarusian. You have learned about the nominative, accusative, genitive, dative, instrumental, locative, and vocative cases, and how they are used in the language.

By mastering the different cases, you will be able to express yourself more accurately and effectively in Belarusian. Keep practicing and applying what you have learned, and soon you will become more confident in your language skills.

Continue your language learning journey by exploring the other lessons in the "Complete 0 to A1 Belarusian Course." Each lesson will bring you closer to achieving your goal of becoming proficient in Belarusian.

Добрай дарогі! (Good luck!)

Table of Contents - Belarusian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Basics

• Introducing Yourself
• Numbers and Time

  ---

Nouns

• Gender
• Cases
• Plurals

  ---

Family

• Family Members
• Family Events

  ---

Verbs

• Present Tense
• Infinitives
• Past Tense
• Imperative

  ---

Food

• Ingredients
• Traditional Dishes

  ---

Belarusian Holidays

• New Year's
• Kupalle

  ---

Adjectives

• Gender Agreement
• Comparatives
• Superlatives

  ---

Transportation

• Public Transportation
• Traveling by Car

  ---

Belarusian Folklore

• Belarusian Mythology
• Famous Folktales

  ---

Prepositions

• Locative Prepositions
• Prepositional Case

  ---

Environment

• Nature
• Climate
• National Symbols

Sources

• Belarusian grammar - Wikipedia
• Belarusian Language - Structure, Writing & Alphabet - MustGo

Other Lessons

• Conditional Mood
• Comparatives
• How to Use Have
• Prepositional Case
• Possession
• Negation
• Plurals
• Pronouns
• Past Tense
• Prepositions

◀️ Gender — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Plurals ▶️