Participles: Types and Declensions
This article is based on infkf.github.io/litsheets
A participle is a verb-derived word that functions as an adjective or adverb. Lithuanian has six participle types.
Participle Types
| Type | Stem Used | Suffix (Masc./Fem.) | Example (dirbti — to work) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present Active | Pres. 3rd person | -antis / -anti | dirb-antis / dirb-anti |
| Past Active | Past 3rd person | -ęs / -usi | dirb-ęs / dirb-usi |
| Present Passive | Pres. 3rd person | -mas / -ma | dirb-amas / dirb-ama |
| Past Passive | Infinitive | -tas / -ta | dirb-tas / dirb-ta |
| Half-Participle | Infinitive | -damas / -dama | dirb-damas / dirb-dama |
| Gerund | Pres. 3rd person | -ant / -us | dirb-ant / dirb-us |
💡 Key distinction: Adjectival participles (active and passive types) decline by gender, number, and case. Adverbial participles (half-participle and gerund) are indeclinable or agree only with the subject.
Present Active Participle (einantis)
Describes an action currently being performed by the noun it modifies.
| Case | Masculine | Feminine |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | ||
| Nominative | ein-antis | ein-anti |
| Genitive | ein-ančio | ein-ančios |
| Dative | ein-ančiam | ein-ančiai |
| Accusative | ein-antį | ein-ančią |
| Instrumental | ein-ančiu | ein-ančia |
| Locative | ein-ančiame | ein-ančioje |
| Plural | ||
| Nominative | ein-antys | ein-ančios |
| Genitive | ein-ančių | ein-ančių |
| Dative | ein-antiems | ein-ančioms |
| Accusative | ein-ančius | ein-ančias |
| Instrumental | ein-ančiais | ein-ančiomis |
| Locative | ein-ančiuose | ein-ančiose |
Past Active Participle (ėjęs)
Describes a completed action performed by the subject.
| Case | Masculine | Feminine |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | ||
| Nominative | ėj-ęs | ėj-usi |
| Genitive | ėj-usio | ėj-usios |
| Dative | ėj-usiam | ėj-usiai |
| Accusative | ėj-usį | ėj-usiąją |
| Instrumental | ėj-usiu | ėj-usia |
| Locative | ėj-usiame | ėj-usioje |
| Plural | ||
| Nominative | ėj-ę | ėj-usios |
| Genitive | ėj-usių | ėj-usių |
| Dative | ėj-usiems | ėj-usioms |
| Accusative | ėj-usius | ėj-usias |
| Instrumental | ėj-usiais | ėj-usiomis |
| Locative | ėj-usiuose | ėj-usiose |
Past Passive Participle (skaitytas)
The most common passive participle — describes a completed action done to the noun.
| Case | Masculine | Feminine |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | ||
| Nominative | skaity-tas | skaity-ta |
| Genitive | skaity-to | skaity-tos |
| Dative | skaity-tam | skaity-tai |
| Accusative | skaity-tą | skaity-tą |
| Instrumental | skaity-tu | skaity-ta |
| Locative | skaity-tame | skaity-toje |
| Plural | ||
| Nominative | skaity-ti | skaity-tos |
| Genitive | skaity-tų | skaity-tų |
| Dative | skaity-tiems | skaity-toms |
| Accusative | skaity-tus | skaity-tas |
| Instrumental | skaity-tais | skaity-tomis |
| Locative | skaity-tuose | skaity-tose |
Half-Participle and Gerund
Half-Participle (-damas / -dama)
Describes a simultaneous secondary action by the same subject as the main verb; agrees in gender and number.
- Vyras, skaitydamas knygą, gėrė kavą. — The man drank coffee while reading a book.
- Moteris, dirbdama biure, klausėsi muzikos. — The woman listened to music while working in the office.
💡 Rule: The half-participle always refers to an action by the same subject as the main verb.
Gerund (-ant / -us)
Completely indeclinable — describes a secondary action with a different subject or in an impersonal context.
- Nusileidus saulei, oras atšalo. — After the sun had set, the air grew cold.
- Šunims lojant, vaikai nubudo. — With the dogs barking, the children woke up.
💡 Gerund often corresponds to English having done or while doing constructions where the subjects differ.
Example Sentences
- Mergina, skaitanti knygą, yra mano sesuo. — The girl reading a book is my sister.
- Jis grįžo pavargęs. — He came back tired.
- Knyga buvo parašyta garsaus rašytojo. — The book was written by a famous author.
- Einant gatvę, reikia būti atsargiam. — While crossing the street, one must be careful.