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Grammar 05

Verb Endings Tell Who

Lithuanian verbs bend to show who is doing the action.

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The Idea

The verb carries person, so the pronoun is not doing all the work.

English usually keeps the verb fairly stable and leans on pronouns. Lithuanian verbs change more visibly, so the ending helps show whether I, you, she, we, or you all are doing the action.

When It Happens

Change the verb when the subject changes.

Expect polite or plural you to use a different shape from informal you.

Keep the pronoun while learning; later, the verb ending will feel more informative.

Listen to the rhythm, because verb endings are small but highly frequent.

How To Read The Shape

I form

The speaker does it

Many beginner phrases start here because you talk about yourself often.

You form

Speaking directly to one person

Use this in friendly, informal speech.

He or she form

Talking about another person

This often looks simpler than the I or you forms.

We and you all forms

More than one person or polite address

Useful for questions, directions, and service encounters.

Hear It In Context
Aš esu studentas.

I am a student.

The verb fits the speaker.

Tu esi mano draugas.

You are my friend.

The verb changes when the subject becomes informal you.

Ji kalba lietuviškai.

She speaks Lithuanian.

The verb fits a third-person subject.

Mes einame į parką.

We are going to the park.

The verb ending marks that we are doing the action together.

Ar jūs kalbate lietuviškai?

Do you speak Lithuanian?

The polite or plural you form is especially common in questions.

Checkpoints
Step 1/3
Aš esu studentas.

I am a student.

Who does the verb form fit?

Step 2/3
Tu esi mano draugas.

You are my friend.

Why is the verb different from the I sentence?

Step 3/3
Mes einame į parką.

We are going to the park.

What does the verb ending help tell you?