Language/Lithuanian/Grammar/Nominative-and-Accusative-Cases

Lithuanian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Nominative and Accusative Cases

Welcome to this exciting lesson on Lithuanian grammar! Today, we’re going to dive into the world of noun cases, specifically focusing on the Nominative and Accusative cases. Understanding these two cases is crucial for building a solid foundation in Lithuanian, as they play a significant role in constructing meaningful sentences.

In this lesson, we will explore:

• What the nominative and accusative cases are

• How to identify and use these cases in sentences

• The differences between them

• Practical exercises to reinforce your understanding

By the end of this lesson, you'll have a clear idea of how to use the nominative and accusative cases in your Lithuanian conversations. So, let’s get started!

Understanding Cases in Lithuanian

Before we delve deeper into the specific cases, let’s take a moment to understand what we mean by cases in the Lithuanian language.

• Nominative Case: This case is primarily used for the subject of a sentence, the one performing the action. For example, in the sentence “The cat is sleeping,” “the cat” is in the nominative case.

• Accusative Case: This case is used for the direct object of a sentence, which receives the action. In the sentence “I see the cat,” “the cat” is in the accusative case because it is the object being seen.

Understanding how these cases function will help you communicate more effectively in Lithuanian.

Nominative Case

Definition and Usage

The nominative case is the form of a noun that is used when it is the subject of a sentence. It answers the question "Who?" or "What?".

Examples of Nominative Case

Let’s take a look at some examples of nouns in the nominative case:

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
katė	[ˈkɐtʲe]	cat
šuo	[ʃuɔ]	dog
žmogus	[ʒmɔˈɡus]	person
knyga	[ˈknyɡɐ]	book
stalas	[ˈstɐlɐs]	table

In these examples, you can see that each noun stands alone as the subject of a sentence.

Accusative Case

Definition and Usage

The accusative case is used to indicate the direct object of a verb—the entity that is directly affected by the action. It answers the questions "Whom?" or "What?".

Examples of Accusative Case

Now, let's look at examples of nouns in the accusative case:

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
katę	[ˈkɐtʲe]	cat
šunį	[ʃuˈni]	dog
žmogų	[ʒmɔˈɡu]	person
knygą	[ˈknyɡɐ]	book
stalą	[ˈstɐlɐ]	table

Notice how the nouns change form when they are in the accusative case. This change indicates their role in the sentence.

Distinguishing Between Nominative and Accusative

To summarize the differences:

• Nominative: Used for the subject of the sentence.

• Accusative: Used for the direct object of the sentence.

This differentiation is crucial for constructing sentences correctly in Lithuanian.

Practice Exercises

Now that we understand the nominative and accusative cases, let's put our knowledge to the test! Below are some exercises to help reinforce what we've learned.

Exercise 1: Identify the Case

Read the sentences below and identify which noun is in the nominative case and which is in the accusative case.

1. Katė miega. (The cat is sleeping.)

2. Aš matau katę. (I see the cat.)

Answers:

• Sentence 1: Nom: katė

• Sentence 2: Acc: katę

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the noun in parentheses.

1. Aš turiu _____ (knyga).

2. _____ (šuo) bėga greitai.

Answers:

1. knygą

2. Šuo

Exercise 3: Translate the Sentences

Translate the following sentences into Lithuanian, paying attention to the correct case.

1. I have a book.

2. The dog is barking.

Answers:

1. Aš turiu knygą.

2. Šuo loja.

Exercise 4: Change the Case

Change the following nominative nouns into accusative.

1. žmogus

2. katė

3. stalas

Answers:

1. žmogų

2. katę

3. stalą

Exercise 5: Sentence Construction

Create sentences using the following nouns in both the nominative and accusative cases.

1. knyga

2. šuo

Example Answers:

1. Nominative: Knyga yra ant stalo. (The book is on the table.)

Accusative: Aš skaitau knygą. (I am reading the book.)

2. Nominative: Šuo žaidžia. (The dog is playing.)

Accusative: Aš matau šunį. (I see the dog.)

Exercise 6: Identify the Object

Identify the object in the following sentences and state whether it is in the nominative or accusative case.

1. Aš valgau obuolį. (I am eating an apple.)

2. Katė žiūri į paukštį. (The cat is looking at the bird.)

Answers:

1. obuolį (Accusative)

2. paukštį (Accusative)

Exercise 7: Noun Gender Practice

Determine the gender of the following nouns and provide both nominative and accusative forms.

1. žuvis (fish)

2. medis (tree)

Answers:

1. Nominative: žuvis (feminine), Accusative: žuvį

2. Nominative: medis (masculine), Accusative: medį

Exercise 8: Fill in the Case Endings

Fill in the correct endings for the following nouns in both nominative and accusative cases.

1. draugas (friend)

2. kėdė (chair)

Answers:

1. Nominative: draugas, Accusative: draugą

2. Nominative: kėdė, Accusative: kėdę

Exercise 9: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct accusative form for the noun provided.

1. katė:

• a) katės

• b) katę

• c) katė

Answer:

b) katę

Exercise 10: Create Your Own Sentences

Write three sentences using both nominative and accusative forms of nouns you’ve learned.

Example Answers:

1. Mergaitė skaito knygą. (The girl is reading a book.)

2. Berniukas mato šunį. (The boy sees a dog.)

3. Motina gamina pietus. (The mother is making lunch.)

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve now gained a foundational understanding of the nominative and accusative cases in Lithuanian. Remember, practice is key when it comes to mastering these concepts. Keep working on your exercises and try to integrate these cases into your speaking and writing.

With this knowledge, you’re one step closer to becoming proficient in Lithuanian. Keep up the great work, and I look forward to seeing you in the next lesson!

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 declension - Wikipedia
• A few Remarks on the Lithuanian Vocative - Antanas Klimas
• Lithuanian grammar - Wikipedia

Other Lessons

• Future Tense
• How to Use Be
• Nouns
• Adjectives
• Gendered Nouns
• Word Order
• Plurals
• 0 to A1 Course
• Pronouns
• Questions