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Cases All nouns have a case depending on what function they serve in the sentence. Although cases may make learning new words difficult, they actually simplify the word order, because the position of words in a sentence becomes not as crucial. As said earlier, there are seven cases in Lithuanian:
The cases answer to these questions: N. Kas? (Who, what?) Kas čia yra? Čia yra pieštukas. What is here? Here is a pencil.
Notice how the word 'pieštukas' (pencil) changes in each case. N. Kas? Pieštukas.
Let's get to know each of the cases. Nominative (vardininkas) This case indicates the subject of a sentence. It is the form that is found in dictionaries. For example, draugas (friend, m); draugė (friend, f).
Genitive (kilmininkas) This case indicates possession or relationship. It is the equivalent of English's genitive 's. For example, my friend's book. In Lithuanian it would be mano draugo knyga or mano draugės knyga.
Dative (naudininkas) This case indicates indirect objects. Draugui (m), draugei (f).
Accusative (galininkas) This case indicates direct objects. Note that in singular words it will most likely have a nasal vowel (ą, ę, į, ų), therefore it is easy to recognize accusative nouns: draugą (m), draugę (f), medį (a tree), cukrų (sugar).
Instrumental (įnagininkas) This case indicates the method (instrument) by which some action is accomplished. It is equivalent to English 'with', 'by'.
Locative (vietininkas) This case indicates a location or where something is. Lovoje - in bed; medyje - in a tree; namuose - at home.
Vocative (šauksmininkas) This case is used to address someone or something. For example: Drauge, ateik čia. Friend, come here. Now that you more or less know what cases are, you may get to know the five declensions. |
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