Understanding Lithuanian Cases
In the Lithuanian language, words change their form based on their role in the sentence. These different forms are called cases. Cases help us understand who is doing what, to whom, and where. There are seven cases in Lithuanian.
Important Points
- Nominative Case
- Genitive Case
- Dative Case
- Accusative Case
- Instrumental Case
- Locative Case
- Vocative Case
The nominative case is used for the subject of the sentence. It tells us who or what is doing the action.
Examples
- Vaikas bėga.
- Katė miega.
- Šuo loja.
The genitive case shows possession. It tells us who owns something or what something belongs to.
Examples
- Vaiko knyga.
- Katės uodega.
- Šuns namas.
The dative case is used for the indirect object of a sentence. It tells us to whom or for whom something is done.
Examples
- Aš duodu vaikui obuolį.
- Rašau draugui laišką.
- Perku mamai gėlę.
The accusative case is used for the direct object of a sentence. It tells us who or what is directly receiving the action.
Examples
- Matau vaiką.
- Valgau obuolį.
- Skaitau knygą.
The instrumental case is used to show the means or tool by which an action is performed.
Examples
- Rašau pieštuku.
- Pjaunu peiliu.
- Kalu plaktuku.
The locative case tells us where something is happening. It shows location.
Examples
- Gyvenu mieste.
- Esu mokykloje.
- Sėdžiu kėdėje.
The vocative case is used when calling or addressing someone directly.
Examples
- Vaike, ateik čia!
- Ei, drauge!
- Mama, kur tu?