Lithuanian Noun Cases

Vocabulary flashcards covering the seven main Lithuanian noun cases, their functions, masculine and feminine singular endings, and declension examples.

Main Lithuanian Noun Cases

 The 7 main noun cases: nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, instrumental, locative, and vocative.

Nominative Case

The case used for the subject or dictionary form (e.g., Vyras dirba. – The man works.).

Genitive Case

The case used for possession, 'of', amounts/parts, and often the object after negation (e.g., brolio knyga – brother's book; nematau knygos – I don't see the book).

Dative Case

The case used for the recipient or 'to, for' (e.g., Duodu knygą broliui. – I give the book to my brother.).

Accusative Case

The case used for the direct object (e.g., Skaitau knygą. – I read a book.).

Instrumental Case

The case used for means, tool, or company, often corresponding to 'with/by' (e.g., Rašau rašikliu. – I write with a pen.).

Locative Case

The case used for location, corresponding to 'in/at' (e.g., Gyvenu Vilniuje. – I live in Vilnius.).

Vocative Case

The case used for direct address (e.g., Jonai! – John!).

Singular Declension of vyras (man)

Nominative: vyras, Genitive: vyro, Dative: vyrui, Accusative: vyrą, Instrumental: vyru, Locative: vyre, Vocative: vyre.

Common Masculine -as Noun Singular Endings

Nom: -as, Gen: -o, Dat: -ui, Acc: -ą, Inst: -u, Loc: -e, Voc: commonly -e.

Common Feminine -a Noun Singular Endings

Nom: -a, Gen: -os, Dat: -ai, Acc: -ą, Inst: -a, Loc: -oje, Voc: commonly -a.

Case Mapping vs. English Prepositions

The concept that cases should not be memorised as English prepositions because one case can have several functions, and the same English preposition can correspond to different Lithuanian cases.