Language/Lithuanian/Grammar/Genitive-Case

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

Introduction

In the Lithuanian language, the genitive case plays a crucial role in indicating possession and showing relationships between nouns. Understanding the genitive case is essential for learners who want to express ownership and describe the relationship between two or more objects. In this lesson, we will explore the rules and usage of the genitive case in Lithuanian, providing comprehensive examples and explanations to ensure a deep understanding of this topic. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently use the genitive case to express possession and describe relationships in Lithuanian.

The Genitive Case

The genitive case, also known as the second case, is one of the seven cases in the Lithuanian language. It is used to indicate possession, describe relationships, and express certain prepositions. The genitive case is formed by adding specific endings to the noun, depending on its gender, number, and declension group. Let's explore the rules for forming the genitive case in Lithuanian.

Singular Nouns

In Lithuanian, singular nouns generally have three declension groups: a, i, and u. The declension group determines the endings added to the noun in the genitive case. Let's look at each group separately and explore the corresponding rules and examples.

Group a

Nouns belonging to the a declension group end in -a in the nominative case. To form the genitive case, the -a ending is replaced with -os. Here are some examples:

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
mergaitė	[mɛrˈgɐɪtʲeː]	girl
mergaitės	[mɛrˈgɐɪtʲɛs]	girl's
knyga	[ˈknʲɪɡɐ]	book
knygos	[ˈknʲɪɡɔs]	book's

Group i

Nouns belonging to the i declension group end in a vowel other than -a in the nominative case. To form the genitive case, the final vowel is replaced with -io. Here are some examples:

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
moteris	[ˈmɔtʲɛrʲɪs]	woman
moters	[ˈmɔtʲɛrʲɪs]	woman's
miestas	[ˈmʲɪɛstɐs]	city
miesto	[ˈmʲɪɛstɔ]	city's

Group u

Nouns belonging to the u declension group end in a consonant in the nominative case. To form the genitive case, the final consonant is replaced with -o. Here are some examples:

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
laivas	[ˈlɐɪvɐs]	ship
laivo	[ˈlɐɪvɔ]	ship's
katinas	[kɐˈtʲɪnɐs]	cat
katinų	[kɐˈtʲɪnʊ]	cat's

Plural Nouns

Plural nouns in Lithuanian also have three declension groups: ų, ių, and i. The declension group determines the endings added to the noun in the genitive case. Let's explore the rules for forming the genitive case in plural nouns.

Group ų

Nouns belonging to the ų declension group have the same endings in the genitive case as in the nominative case. Here are some examples:

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
gyventojai	[ɡʲɪvʲɛnˈtɔjɐɪ]	residents
gyventojų	[ɡʲɪvʲɛnˈtɔjʊ]	residents'
mokytojai	[mɔˈkʲɔtɔjɐɪ]	teachers
mokytojų	[mɔˈkʲɔtɔjʊ]	teachers'

Group ių

Nouns belonging to the ių declension group have the same endings in the genitive case as in the nominative case. Here are some examples:

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
žmonės	[ʒmɔˈnʲeːs]	people
žmonių	[ʒmɔˈnʲʊ]	people's
vaikai	[ˈvɐɪkɐɪ]	children
vaikų	[ˈvɐɪkʊ]	children's

Group i

Nouns belonging to the i declension group have a variety of endings in the genitive case. Here are some examples:

Lithuanian	Pronunciation	English
keliai	[ˈkʲɛlʲɐɪ]	roads
kelių	[ˈkʲɛlʲʊ]	roads'
rankos	[ˈrɐŋkos]	hands
rankų	[ˈrɐŋkʊ]	hands'

Usage of the Genitive Case

Now that we have a good understanding of how to form the genitive case, let's explore its usage in different contexts.

Indicating Possession

One of the primary uses of the genitive case in Lithuanian is to indicate possession. When expressing ownership of an object, the noun that represents the owner is put in the genitive case. Here's an example:

• Mano tėvo automobilis - My father's car

In this example, "tėvo" (father) is in the genitive case, indicating that the car belongs to the father. Let's look at a few more examples:

• Mamos namas - Mother's house
• Jonuko žaislas - Jonukas' toy
• Mokytojos knyga - Teacher's book

In each of these examples, the genitive case is used to show possession. It's important to remember that the noun indicating ownership is the one that takes the genitive case, while the object being owned remains in the nominative case.

Describing Relationships

The genitive case is also used to describe relationships between nouns. When one noun is closely connected to another, indicating a specific type of relationship, the noun describing the relationship is put in the genitive case. Let's look at some examples:

• Stalo kojos - Table legs
• Vaikų žaislai - Children's toys
• Gyventojų skaičius - Number of residents

In these examples, the genitive case is used to describe the relationship between the nouns. The genitive noun provides additional information about the main noun and clarifies the type or nature of the relationship.

Expressing Certain Prepositions

Certain prepositions in Lithuanian are followed by the genitive case. These prepositions indicate various relationships such as movement, location, and time. Let's look at some examples:

• Šalia upės - Next to the river
• Po medžiu - Under the tree
• Nuo pirmos dienos - From the first day

In each of these examples, the genitive case is used after the prepositions "šalia" (next to), "po" (under), and "nuo" (from) to indicate the specific relationship or location.

Cultural Insights

The usage and understanding of the genitive case in Lithuanian are consistent across the country. There are no regional variations or historical reasons for differences in its usage. However, it's worth mentioning that the genitive case is an integral part of the Lithuanian language, reflecting the importance placed on possession and relationships within the culture.

Lithuanian culture values strong family ties and a sense of community. This emphasis on relationships is reflected in the language itself, with the genitive case allowing for precise descriptions of ownership and connections between people and objects. By understanding and using the genitive case correctly, learners can better express these cultural values in their conversations and written communication.

Exercises

Now it's time to practice using the genitive case in Lithuanian. Complete the following exercises, and check your answers below.

Exercise 1: Fill in the blank with the correct form of the genitive case.

1. Mergaitės _______ (knyga). 2. Žmonės _______ (automobilis). 3. Moteris _______ (rankinis). 4. Studentų _______ (bute). 5. Vaikai _______ (žaislas).

Exercise 2: Translate the following sentences into Lithuanian.

1. The dog's tail is wagging. 2. I'm going to the store next to the school. 3. The book belongs to my friend. 4. We are coming from the park. 5. The teacher's desk is in the classroom.

Solutions

Exercise 1:

1. Mergaitės knygos. 2. Žmonių automobilio. 3. Moters rankinio. 4. Studentų buto. 5. Vaikų žaislo.

Exercise 2:

1. Šuns uodega plaka. 2. Einu į parduotuvę prie mokyklos. 3. Knyga priklauso mano draugui. 4. Mes ateiname iš parko. 5. Mokytojo stalas yra klasėje.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have now learned the essential rules for using the genitive case in Lithuanian. By understanding how to form the genitive case and its various uses, you can confidently express possession, describe relationships, and use certain prepositions in your conversations and written communication. Keep practicing and exploring the intricacies of the Lithuanian language, and you will continue to deepen your understanding and fluency.

Table of Contents - Lithuanian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Introduction to Lithuanian

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

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Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

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Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Gender and Declension
• Personal Pronouns

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Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

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Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

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Food and Dining

• Common Foods
• Dining Out

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Adjectives and Adverbs

• Describing People and Things
• Comparatives and Superlatives

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Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

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Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Common Prepositions
• Connecting Ideas

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Shopping and Services

• Shopping Vocabulary
• Banking and Postal Services

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Lithuanian Traditions and Customs

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Cuisine

Sources

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

Other Lessons

• Questions
• Nouns
• Future Tense
• Give your Opinion
• Plurals
• Nominative and Accusative Cases
• Gendered Nouns
• Personal Pronouns
• How to Use Have
• Singular and Plural Nouns