Articles - Lithuanian Grammar

In Lithuanian grammar, the use of articles differs from many other languages. Unlike English, Lithuanian does not have definite or indefinite articles. In Lithuanian, the concept of definiteness is expressed through the endings of nouns and adjectives, rather than using a separate word.

Lithuanian nouns can have three genders: masculine, feminine, and neuter. The endings of the nouns change depending on the gender, number (singular or plural), and case. The adjectives also agree with the nouns in gender, number, and case.

To indicate definiteness, Lithuanian uses the genitive case. When a noun is in the genitive case, it acquires an ending that distinguishes it as definite. This means that there is no need for a separate definite article like “the” in English. For example, “namas” (house) becomes “namo” in the genitive case, which indicates definiteness.

It is important to note that the absence of articles in Lithuanian grammar can sometimes make it challenging for English speakers to fully grasp the concept of definiteness. However, with practice and exposure to the language, learners can become proficient in using the correct endings to express definiteness.