Understanding the Infinitive Form in Lietuvių (Lithuanian) Verbs
In Lithuanian, verbs have a special form called the infinitive. This form is like the base or original form of the verb and is often used to talk about actions in a general way, without saying who is doing the action or when it is happening.
Important Points
- The infinitive form is used to express actions in a general sense.
- It is often used after certain verbs to complete their meaning.
- The infinitive can be used to give instructions or commands in a polite way.
- It is also used to express purpose or intention.
Let's look at how the infinitive form works with some examples. Remember, the infinitive is like saying 'to do' something, just like in English.
Examples
- Valgyti yra svarbu. (To eat is important.)
- Aš noriu skaityti knygą. (I want to read a book.)
- Jis mėgsta plaukti. (He likes to swim.)
When you see a verb in Lithuanian that ends in '-ti', you can usually tell that it is in the infinitive form. This is helpful when you are learning new verbs and trying to understand their meanings.
Examples
- Aš mokausi rašyti. (I am learning to write.)
- Ji nori šokti. (She wants to dance.)
- Mes turime eiti namo. (We have to go home.)
Important Points
- Infinitive verbs can be used with modal verbs like 'can', 'want', or 'must'.
- They are useful for making polite requests or suggestions.
- Infinitives are often found in dictionaries as the main form of the verb.
By understanding the infinitive form, you can start to build sentences and express actions more clearly in Lithuanian. Keep practicing with different verbs to become more comfortable with this form.