Language/Lithuanian/Grammar/Pronouns

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.

Personal Pronouns

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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Sources

• Lithuanian language
• Pronoun