Language/Lithuanian/Grammar/Prepositions

Lithuanian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Cases and Prepositions → Prepositions

Introduction

Welcome to the lesson on Lithuanian prepositions! In this lesson, you will learn about the essential Lithuanian prepositions and how to use them correctly in conversation. Prepositions are an important part of any language, as they indicate the relationship between different words in a sentence. Understanding and using prepositions correctly will greatly improve your ability to communicate in Lithuanian.

Throughout this lesson, we will explore the various prepositions in Lithuanian, providing clear explanations and numerous examples to help you grasp their usage. We will also delve into any regional variations in the usage or understanding of prepositions, as well as the historical reasons for these differences. Additionally, we will share interesting cultural facts and anecdotes related to prepositions to enhance your understanding and appreciation of the Lithuanian language and culture.

To ensure that you fully grasp the concepts and are able to apply them in real-life situations, we have included exercises and practice scenarios for you to complete. These exercises will test your understanding and give you the opportunity to practice using prepositions in context. Solutions and explanations will be provided to help you learn from any mistakes and reinforce your knowledge.

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently use Lithuanian prepositions in your conversations, adding depth and precision to your language skills. So let's dive in and start exploring the world of Lithuanian prepositions!

Lithuanian Prepositions

Prepositions in Lithuanian, as in any language, are words that establish relationships between different elements in a sentence. They indicate location, direction, time, manner, and other important aspects of communication. In this section, we will cover some of the most common Lithuanian prepositions and their usage.

Prepositions of Location

Let's start with prepositions that indicate location. These prepositions are used to describe where something or someone is located. Here are some examples:

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
ant	[ant]	on, onto
po	[po]	under, beneath
prie	[pri.e]	near, by
šalia	[ʃa.li.a]	next to, beside
viduje	[vi.du.je]	inside
už	[uːʒ]	behind, beyond
tarp	[tarp]	between, among
virš	[virʃ]	above, over
prieš	[priːʃ]	in front of, before

Let's look at some examples to understand how these prepositions are used:

• Mano knyga yra ant stalo. (My book is on the table.)
• Ji gyvena po mano butu. (She lives under my apartment.)
• Mokykla yra prie parko. (The school is near the park.)
• Mano draugas sėdi šalia manęs. (My friend is sitting next to me.)
• Katinas miega viduje namo. (The cat is sleeping inside the house.)
• Medis auga už mano namo. (The tree is growing behind my house.)
• Tarp mokytojo ir mokinio yra stalo. (Between the teacher and the student is a table.)
• Debesys skraido virš mūsų galvų. (Clouds are flying above our heads.)
• Prieš mokyklą yra aikštė. (In front of the school, there is a square.)

Remember to pay attention to the case of the noun that follows the preposition. Depending on the situation, the noun may be in the nominative, accusative, or other cases.

Prepositions of Direction

Next, let's explore prepositions that indicate direction. These prepositions are used to describe where something or someone is moving towards. Here are some examples:

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
į	[iː]	to, into
nuo	[nuo]	from, since
per	[pɛr]	through, across
link	[link]	towards, to
pro	[pro]	through, via
už	[uːʒ]	behind, beyond
iki	[iː.ki]	until, up to
į viršų	[iː viːrʃʊ]	upwards
žemyn	[ʒɛ.min]	downwards

Let's see how these prepositions are used in sentences:

• Aš einu į mokyklą. (I am going to school.)
• Jis ateina nuo darbo. (He is coming from work.)
• Mes važiuojame per miestą. (We are driving through the city.)
• Eik link mokyklos. (Go towards the school.)
• Reikia pro šalį eiti. (You need to go through the side.)
• Jis bėga už kampų. (He is running behind the corners.)
• Mes vaikščiojame iki upės. (We are walking until the river.)
• Žiūrėk į viršų! (Look upwards!)
• Leisk balioną žemyn. (Let the balloon down.)

Again, remember to consider the case of the noun that follows the preposition. It may be in the nominative, accusative, or another case depending on the context.

Prepositions of Time

Now let's move on to prepositions that indicate time. These prepositions are used to describe when something happens or for how long. Here are some examples:

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
nuo	[nuo]	from, since
iki	[iː.ki]	until, up to
per	[pɛr]	during, throughout
po	[po]	after
prieš	[priːʃ]	before
tarp	[tarp]	between, among
apie	[a.pi.e]	about, around
per pietus	[pɛr pʲɪ.tʊs]	during lunchtime
vakare	[va.ka.rɛ]	in the evening

Let's see how these prepositions are used in sentences:

• Aš dirbu nuo ryto iki vakaro. (I work from morning until evening.)
• Pamoka vyks per pietus. (The lesson will take place during lunchtime.)
• Jis atėjo po pietų. (He came after lunch.)
• Mes susitikome prieš susitikimą. (We met before the meeting.)
• Laikas tarp pusryčių ir pietų. (The time between breakfast and lunch.)
• Mes kalbėjome apie knygas. (We talked about books.)
• Aš dažnai lankausi teatre vakare. (I often go to the theater in the evening.)

Remember to consider the case of the noun that follows the preposition, especially when referring to specific moments in time.

Cultural Insights

In Lithuanian culture, prepositions play an important role in shaping the way people communicate and express themselves. The choice of prepositions can convey subtle nuances of meaning and reflect cultural values and perspectives.

One interesting cultural aspect of Lithuanian prepositions is the use of spatial relationships to describe abstract concepts. For example, the preposition "per" (through, across) is often used to express the idea of overcoming obstacles or challenges. This reflects the cultural value of perseverance and determination in the face of difficulties.

Another cultural insight related to prepositions is the use of prepositions to describe social relationships. In Lithuanian, prepositions are often used to indicate the level of familiarity or formality between individuals. For example, the preposition "su" (with) can be used to denote a close personal relationship, while the preposition "su" (with) can also be used to indicate a professional or formal relationship.

Additionally, regional variations in the usage and understanding of prepositions exist within Lithuania. Different dialects and local customs may influence the choice of prepositions in certain regions. For example, in some rural areas, the preposition "už" (behind, beyond) may be used more frequently to indicate proximity or ownership, while in urban areas, the preposition "šalia" (next to, beside) may be preferred.

Understanding these cultural insights can greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Lithuanian and deepen your appreciation for the language and culture.

Exercises

Now it's time to practice using Lithuanian prepositions! Complete the following exercises and check your answers below.

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate preposition.

1. Aš einu ___ mokyklą. 2. Mes važiuojame ___ miestą. 3. Ji sėdi ___ mano šalia. 4. Jis ateina ___ darbo. 5. Medis auga ___ mano namo.

Exercise 2: Complete the sentences with the correct preposition.

1. Mes kalbėjome ___ knygas. 2. Aš dirbu nuo ryto ___ vakaro. 3. Pamoka vyks ___ pietus. 4. Jis atėjo ___ pietų. 5. Laikas ___ pusryčių ir pietų.

Exercise 3: Translate the following sentences into Lithuanian.

1. The cat is sleeping inside the house. 2. We are walking until the river. 3. Look upwards! 4. He is coming from work. 5. The tree is growing behind my house.

Solutions

Exercise 1:

1. į 2. per 3. šalia 4. nuo 5. už

Exercise 2:

1. apie 2. iki 3. per 4. po 5. tarp

Exercise 3:

1. Katinas miega viduje namo. 2. Mes vaikščiojame iki upės. 3. Žiūrėk į viršų! 4. Jis ateina nuo darbo. 5. Medis auga už mano namo.

Congratulations on completing the exercises! You are now one step closer to mastering Lithuanian prepositions.

Conclusion

In this lesson, you have learned about the essential Lithuanian prepositions and how to use them correctly in conversation. Prepositions are an integral part of the language, providing crucial information about location, direction, time, and more. By understanding and using prepositions effectively, you can enhance your communication skills and express yourself more precisely in Lithuanian.

We explored prepositions of location, direction, and time, providing numerous examples to illustrate their usage. We also discussed cultural insights related to prepositions and their significance in Lithuanian culture. Through the exercises, you had the opportunity to practice using prepositions in context and reinforce your understanding.

Keep practicing and incorporating prepositions into your conversations. The more you use them, the more natural they will become. In the next lesson, we will continue our journey through Lithuanian grammar by exploring another important topic. Until then, viso gero (goodbye) and continue your language learning adventure!

Table of Contents - Lithuanian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Lithuanian

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Gender and Declension
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Food and Dining

• Common Foods
• Dining Out

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Describing People and Things
• Comparatives and Superlatives

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Common Prepositions
• Connecting Ideas

  ---

Shopping and Services

• Shopping Vocabulary
• Banking and Postal Services

  ---

Lithuanian Traditions and Customs

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Cuisine

Sources

• Lithuanian grammar - Wikipedia
• Lithuanian Prepositions
• A Short Grammar of Lithuanian | Slavica Publishers

Other Lessons

• Nouns
• Give your Opinion
• Word Order
• Adjectives
• Conjunctions and Expressions of Time and Place
• Future Tense
• Present Tense Verbs
• Plurals
• Plural Forms of Nouns and Adjectives
• Negation