Language/Lithuanian/Grammar/How-to-Use-Be
Hi Lithuanian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will focus on the verb "būti" ("to be" in English) and learn how to use it in different situations. We will also explore some cultural information related to the Lithuanian language.
Introduction[edit | edit source]
The verb "būti" is a vital part of the Lithuanian language. It is used to indicate the existence or presence of something or someone. For example, "Aš esu Lietuvoje" (I am in Lithuania) or "Jis yra mano geriausias draugas" (He is my best friend). "Būti" is also used to describe characteristics or qualities, such as "Aš esu aukštas" (I am tall) or "Jos yra mandagi" (She is kind).
"Be" is a negation of the verb "būti". It means "not to be" in English. For example, "Aš nesu laimingas" (I am not happy) or "Jis nėra mano pusbrolis" (He is not my cousin).
After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: Conjunctions and Expressions of Time and Place & Give your Opinion.
Positive Forms of "Be"[edit | edit source]
In Lithuanian, the verb "būti" has different forms, depending on the subject and the tense.
Present Tense[edit | edit source]
In the present tense, the forms of "būti" are:
| Subject | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Aš | Esu | Aš esu laimingas (I am happy) |
| Tu | Esi | Tu esi graži (You are beautiful) |
| Jis/Ji/Jie | Yra | Jis yra gydytojas (He is a doctor) |
| Mes | Esame | Mes esame draugai (We are friends) |
| Jūs | Esate | Jūs esate puikus mokinys (You are an excellent student) |
| Jie | Yra | Jie yra vieniši (They are lonely) |
Example dialogue:
- Person 1: Ar tu esi lietuvis? (Are you Lithuanian?)
- Person 2: Taip, aš esu lietuvis. (Yes, I am Lithuanian)
Past Tense[edit | edit source]
In the past tense, the forms of "būti" are:
| Subject | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Aš | Buvau | Aš buvau užsiėmęs (I was busy) |
| Tu | Buvei | Tu buvei čia (You were here) |
| Jis/Ji/Jie | Buvo | Jie buvo laimingi (They were happy) |
| Mes | Buvome | Mes buvome kartu (We were together) |
| Jūs | Buvote | Jūs buvote kiekvieną kartą (You were there every time) |
| Jie | Būdavo | Jie būdavo ruošę pusryčius kartu (They used to make breakfast together) |
Example dialogue:
- Person 1: Kur tu buvai paskutinę dieną? (Where were you last day?)
- Person 2: Aš buvau mokykloje. (I was at school)
Future Tense[edit | edit source]
In the future tense, the forms of "būti" are:
| Subject | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Aš | Būsiu | Aš būsiu laiku (I will be on time) |
| Tu | Busi | Tu busi sėkmingas (You will be successful) |
| Jis/Ji/Jie | Bus | Jie bus pasiruošę vakarienei (They will be ready for dinner) |
| Mes | Busime | Mes busime ten kartu (We will be there together) |
| Jūs | Busite | Jūs busite renginio prireikus (You will be needed at the event) |
| Jie | Bus | Jie bus ramūs (They will be calm) |
Example dialogue:
- Person 1: Kada tu busi laisvas? (When will you be free?)
- Person 2: Aš busiu laisvas šeštadienio vakare. (I will be free on Saturday evening)
Negative Forms of "Be"[edit | edit source]
To form negative sentences, you need to use the negation "ne" and add it before the verb form. For example, "Aš nesu" (I am not) or "Jie nebuvote" (They were not).
Present Tense[edit | edit source]
In the present tense, the forms of negative "būti" are:
| Subject | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Aš | Nėra | Aš nėra lietuve (I am not Lithuanian) |
| Tu | Nesi | Tu nesi toks gerai kaip pasirodai (You are not as good as you seem) |
| Jis/Ji/Jie | Nėra | Jis nėra gerai suprantamas (He is not well understood) |
| Mes | Nesiame | Mes nesiame mokykloje (We are not at school) |
| Jūs | Nėrate | Jūs nėrate visada teisi (You are not always right) |
| Jie | Nėra | Jie nėra užsiėmę (They are not busy) |
Example dialogue:
- Person 1: Ar jūs esate lietuviai? (Are you Lithuanians?)
- Person 2: Ne, mes nesame. (No, we are not)
Past Tense[edit | edit source]
In the past tense, the forms of negative "būti" are:
| Subject | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Aš | Nebuvau | Aš nebuvau tada (I was not there) |
| Tu | Nebuvei | Tu nebuvai pasiruošęs (You were not ready) |
| Jis/Ji/Jie | Nebuvo | Jie nebuvote laiko (They were not on time) |
| Mes | Nebuvome | Mes nebuvome pasiruošę (We were not ready) |
| Jūs | Nebuvote | Jūs nebuvote pasiruošę (You were not ready) |
| Jie | Nebūdavo | Jie nebūdavo laimingi kartu (They were not happy together) |
Example dialogue:
- Person 1: Ar jie buvo laimingi? (Were they happy?)
- Person 2: Ne, jie nebūdavo laimingi. (No, they were not happy.)
Future Tense[edit | edit source]
In the future tense, the forms of negative "būti" are:
| Subject | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Aš | Nebūsiu | Aš nebūsiu pasiruošęs (I will not be ready) |
| Tu | Nebusi | Tu nebūsi pasiruošęs (You will not be ready) |
| Jis/Ji/Jie | Nebus | Jie nebūs pasiruošę(vakarienei) (They will not be ready for the dinner) |
| Mes | Nebusime | Mes nebūsime pasiruošę(partyiui) (We will not be ready for the party) |
| Jūs | Nebusite | Jūs nebūsite reikalingi (You will not be needed) |
| Jie | Nebus | Jie nebūs užsiėmę (They will not be busy) |
Example dialogue:
- Person 1: Ar tu busi čia rytoj? (Will you be here tomorrow?)
- Person 2: Ne, aš nebūsiu čia. (No, I will not be here.)
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
"Būti" is a fundamental and essential verb in Lithuanian. It is necessary to use it correctly to communicate effectively in Lithuanian. Remember to practice your Lithuanian with native speakers, who you can find on Polyglot Club.
If you need to improve your Lithuanian Grammar, do not hesitate to check the related lessons. In addition, you can ask any questions in the comments below.
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Finished this lesson? Check out these related lessons: Singular and Plural Nouns & Adjectives.
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Pronouns
- Plurals
- Conditional Mood
- Nouns
- How to Use Have
- Conjugation
- Give your Opinion
- Future Tense
- Adjectives