Language/Lithuanian/Grammar/Pronouns
Hi Lithuanian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will focus on the pronouns used in the Lithuanian language. Pronouns are an essential part of any language, and they make communication more efficient. They replace a noun or noun phrase, making speech and writing more concise.
After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: Noun Gender and Declension, Conditional Mood, Past Tense & 0 to A1 Course.
Personal Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Personal pronouns refer to individuals or are used to indicate possession. They can also be used as the subject or object of a sentence. In Lithuanian, personal pronouns change based on the case and gender. Below are the Lithuanian personal pronouns:
Lithuanian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
aš | [aʃ] | I |
tu | [tu] | you (singular, informal) |
jis | [jis] | he |
ji | [ji] | she |
mes | [mɛs] | we |
jūs | [jus] | you (plural, formal) |
jie | [jɪɛ] | they (masculine or mixed gender group) |
jos | [jɔs] | they (feminine group) |
Here's an example dialogue using personal pronouns to help you understand how to use them:
- Person 1: Aš esu Jonas. (I am Jonas)
- Person 2: Laba diena, Jonas! Kaip tu? (Good day, Jonas! How are you?)
- Person 1: Labai ačiū, gerai. O kaip jūs? (Thank you very much, I'm good. And you (formal)?)
- Person 2: Mes esame gerai, ačiū. (We are good, thank you.)
Demonstrative Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Demonstrative pronouns are used to point to specific things or persons. In Lithuanian, there are three types of demonstrative pronouns, and they change based on gender and case:
Lithuanian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
šis | [ʃɪs] | this (masculine) |
ši | [ʃi] | this (feminine) |
tai | [tai] | this (neuter) |
tas | [tas] | that (masculine) |
ta | [ta] | that (feminine) |
tą | [tɔ́ː] | that (neuter) |
tie | [ti:ɛ] | those (masculine) |
tos | [tɔs] | those (feminine) |
Here's an example dialogue using demonstrative pronouns to help you understand how to use them:
- Person 1: Ar norite šitą ar tą? (Do you want this or that?)
- Person 2: Aš noriu šitą. (I want this.)
- Person 1: Gerai, aš duosiu jums šitą. (Okay, I will give you this.)
- Person 2: Dėkoju, tai labai malonu. (Thank you, that's very kind.)
Interrogative Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions. In Lithuanian, the interrogative pronouns change based on case and gender. Here are the Lithuanian interrogative pronouns:
Lithuanian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
kas | [kas] | who (nominative) |
ko | [kɔ] | whom (genitive) |
kam | [kam] | whom (dative) |
ką | [kaːm] | what (accusative) |
kur | [kur] | where |
kada | [ˈkaːda] | when |
Here's an example dialogue using interrogative pronouns to help you understand how to use them:
- Person 1: Kas tai yra? (What is this?)
- Person 2: Tai kavos puodelis. (It's a cup of coffee.)
- Person 1: O kam jis priklauso? (And whom does it belong to?)
- Person 2: Man. (It belongs to me.)
Reflexive Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Reflexive pronouns are used when the object of the verb is the same as the subject. In Lithuanian, the reflexive pronoun is "save." Here's how you use it:
Lithuanian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
aš | [aʃ] | myself |
tu | [tu] | yourself (singular, informal) |
jis | [jis] | himself |
ji | [ji] | herself |
mes | [mɛs] | ourselves |
jūs | [jus] | yourself (plural, formal) |
jie | [jɪɛ] | themselves (masculine or mixed gender group) |
jos | [jɔs] | themselves (feminine group) |
Here's an example dialogue using reflexive pronouns to help you understand how to use them:
- Person 1: Aš vairuoju save. (I'm driving myself.)
- Person 2: Puiku! Aš taip pat moku vairuoti save. (Great! I also know how to drive myself.)
Possessive Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Possessive pronouns show possession or ownership. In Lithuanian, possessive pronouns change based on gender and case. Below are the possessive pronouns:
Lithuanian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
mano | [mɐnɒ] | my |
tavo | [tɑvɒ] | your (singular, informal) |
jo | [jɔ] | his |
jos | [jɔs] | her |
mūsų | [mu:sʉ:] | our |
jūsų | [ju:sʉ:] | your (plural, formal) |
jų | [jʊ] | their |
Here's an example dialogue using possessive pronouns to help you understand how to use them:
- Person 1: Tai yra mano automobilis. (This is my car.)
- Person 2: Jūsų? (Yours?)
- Person 1: Ne, mano. (No, mine.)
- Person 2: Ačiū. (Thank you.)
Indefinite Pronouns[edit | edit source]
Indefinite pronouns refer to people, places, or things in a general or indefinite way. In Lithuanian, indefinite pronouns change based on the case and gender. Here are some Lithuanian indefinite pronouns:
Lithuanian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
kas nors | [kɐs nɔrs] | somebody, anybody |
kažkas | [kɑʒ kɑs] | something |
niekas | [nʲɛ̂kɐs] | nobody, no one |
nieko | [nʲɛ̂kɔ] | nothing |
Here's an example dialogue using indefinite pronouns to help you understand how to use them:
- Person 1: Ar kas nors nori kavos? (Does somebody want coffee?)
- Person 2: Aš noriu kažko karšto. (I want something hot.)
- Person 1: Gerai, aš duosiu jums kavos arbatinį. (Okay, I will give you coffee or tea.)
- Person 2: Dėkoju, nieko daugiau man nereikia. (Thank you, I don't need anything else.)
I hope this lesson was helpful in understanding Lithuanian pronouns. To improve your Lithuanian Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
➡ 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. 😎
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Lithuanian grammar - Wikipedia
- The Historical grammar of Lithuanian language
- Lithuanian declension - Wikipedia