Language/Lithuanian/Grammar/Negation
Hi Lithuanian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be exploring negation in Lithuanian grammar. Negation is the process of negating or denying something. Negation is an essential part of daily communication and is necessary to convey meaning accurately. We will be exploring different forms of negation and their usage in Lithuanian.
Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: Noun Gender and Declension, Conditional Mood, Gendered Nouns & Connecting Ideas.
Negation with "Nė"[edit | edit source]
The most common and straightforward way to negate a sentence in Lithuanian is by using the word "nė". This word means "not" in English and is usually placed before the verb that needs negating. For example, if we want to say "I do not speak Lithuanian," we would say:
| Lithuanian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Aš nėkalbu lietuviškai | ["aʃ neːkalbu lʲɪɛtʊˈvʲiʃkaɪ] | I do not speak Lithuanian |
Here, the word "nė" is placed before the verb "kalbu," which means "speak." This negates the sentence, and we are left with the intended meaning.
Another example would be:
| Lithuanian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Tu nėra lietuvis | [tu ˈnærɐ lʲɪɛˈtʊvʲɪs] | You are not Lithuanian |
Here, "nė" is placed before "ra," which is a form of "to be." This negates the sentence and gives us the intended meaning.
Negation with "Ne"[edit | edit source]
Another way to negate a sentence in Lithuanian is by using the word "ne". This word also means "not" in English, but it is used in situations where "nė" cannot be used. For example, if we want to say "I am not a doctor," we would say:
| Lithuanian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Aš neesu gydytojas | ["aʃ neːɛˈsu ɡɪdʲɪˈtɔjas] | I am not a doctor |
Here, "ne" is used before "esu," which is a contraction of "to be." "Nė" cannot be used in this case, and "ne" is the only appropriate option.
Another example would be:
| Lithuanian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Jonui neprisimena jos vardo | [ˈjɔnʊɪ neprɪsɪˈmɛna jɔs ˈvardɔ] | Jon can't remember her name |
Here, "ne" is used before "prisimena," which means "to remember." Again, "nė" cannot be used in this context, and "ne" is the correct option.
Negation with "Nevienas"[edit | edit source]
"Nevienas" is a compound word made up of "ne" and "vienas," which means "one." This word is the equivalent of the English word "nobody." It is used to negate a sentence in situations where "nė" or "ne" cannot be used. For example, if we want to say "Nobody knows where he is," we would say:
| Lithuanian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Nei vienas nežino, kur jis yra | [ˈneɪ ˈvʲɪɛnɐs nʲeˈʒɪnɔ kʊr jɪs ˈiːrɐ] | Nobody knows where he is |
Here, "nei" means "not even one" and is used before "vienas" to form the word "nevienas." This word is then used before the verb "žino," which means "knows."
Negation in Questions[edit | edit source]
In Lithuanian, negation is also used in questions. For example, if we want to ask "Don't you speak Lithuanian?" we would say:
| Lithuanian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| "Ar jūs neskalbate lietuviškai?" | [ˈar jʊs nʲɛskalˈbaːtɛ lʲɪɛtʊˈvʲiʃkaɪ] | Don't you speak Lithuanian? |
Here, "neskalbate" is the negative form of "kalbate," which means "speak." The word "ne" is used to negate the sentence, and the word "ar" is used to make it a question.
Dialogue[edit | edit source]
Here's a dialogue to help you practice negation:
- Person 1: Aš mėgstu rašyti laiškus. (I like to write letters.)
- Person 2: Ar nebijai, kad kažkas perskaitys tavo laiškus? (Aren't you afraid someone will read your letters?)
- Person 1: Ne, nes aš visada užrakinu savo spintelę. (No, because I always lock my desk.)
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Negation is an essential part of Lithuanian grammar, and it is crucial to learn how to use it correctly. The words "nė," "ne," and "nevienas" can be used to negate a sentence, depending on the situation. Negation can also be used in questions to convey meaning accurately.
To improve your Lithuanian Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Sources[edit | edit source]
Excellent job on conquering this lesson! Consider delving into these related pages: Questions, Lithuanian Grammar: Singular and Plural Nouns, Nominative and Accusative Cases & Common Prepositions.