Understanding the Genitive Case in Lithuanian
The Genitive Case in Lithuanian is like a special tool we use to show that something belongs to someone or something else. It's a way to say 'of' or 'from' in English, but in Lithuanian, we change the endings of words instead.
When to Use the Genitive Case
Important Points
- To show possession or belonging, like 'the book of the girl'.
- To talk about quantities, like 'a glass of water'.
- After certain prepositions, like 'after' or 'without'.
- To describe something, like 'a piece of cake'.
In Lithuanian, the endings of words change depending on whether the noun is masculine or feminine, and whether it is singular or plural.
Masculine Nouns in the Genitive Case
Important Points
- For singular masculine nouns, we often change the ending to '-o'.
- For plural masculine nouns, we usually change the ending to '-ų'.
Examples
- Berniko knyga (The boy's book)
- Brolių namai (The brothers' houses)
Feminine Nouns in the Genitive Case
Important Points
- For singular feminine nouns, we often change the ending to '-os'.
- For plural feminine nouns, we usually change the ending to '-ų'.
Examples
- Mergaitės knyga (The girl's book)
- Moterų batai (The women's shoes)
Using the Genitive Case with Prepositions
Important Points
- After 'be' (without) - 'be cukraus' (without sugar)
- After 'po' (after) - 'po darbo' (after work)
Examples
- Be cukraus (Without sugar)
- Po darbo (After work)
Remember, the Genitive Case is a powerful way to connect words and show relationships between them. It's like a little puzzle piece that fits perfectly to show who owns what or how much of something there is.