Lithuanian grammar has a reputation for being complex, but once you get the hang of genders and cases, it’s not so bad. This guide breaks it down without the fluff.
Noun Genders in Lithuanian
Lithuanian nouns come in three genders: masculine, feminine, and neuter. Unlike English, where gender is mostly irrelevant, Lithuanian grammar forces you to pay attention.
Vyriškoji giminė
/ˈvʲɪrʲɪʃkoji ˈɡʲɪmʲɪnʲeː/“Masculine gender”
Moteriškoji giminė
/moˈtɛrʲɪʃkoji ˈɡʲɪmʲɪnʲeː/“Feminine gender”
Bevardė giminė
/bɛˈvɑrdʲeː ˈɡʲɪmʲɪnʲeː/“Neuter gender”
The Seven Cases of Lithuanian
Lithuanian has seven cases, which change the endings of nouns, adjectives, and pronouns. Here’s the quick rundown:
| Case | Function | Example (masculine) |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | Subject | vyras |
| Genitive | Possession | vyro |
| Dative | Indirect object | vyrui |
| Accusative | Direct object | vyrą |
| Instrumental | Means or accompaniment | vyru |
| Locative | Location | vyre |
| Vocative | Direct address | vyre |
Yeah, it’s a lot. But focus on nominative, genitive, and accusative first - they’re the most common.
Why Cases Matter
Cases dictate how words relate to each other in a sentence. Get them wrong, and you’ll sound like a caveman. For example:
- Nominative: Vyras skaito knygą. (The man reads a book.)
- Accusative: Aš matau vyrą. (I see the man.)
Notice how vyras changes to vyrą? That’s cases in action.
Common Pitfalls
Here’s where learners usually mess up:
- Mixing up genitive and accusative (especially with feminine nouns).
- Forgetting the vocative exists (until someone yells at you for sounding rude).
- Assuming neuter nouns follow the same rules as masculine/feminine (they don’t).
Next Steps
If you’re struggling with pronunciation, check out our guide on Lithuanian pronunciation tips. For more on nouns, see Common Lithuanian family terms.
Grammar isn’t the most exciting part of language learning, but mastering it means fewer confused stares from Lithuanians. Worth it.
