Definite Forms in Names and Terms
In many names and terms, Lithuanian uses the definite adjective: Juodoji jūra (the Black Sea), Naujieji metai (New Year).
How It Works
1. Place names.
- Didžioji Britanija (Great Britain)
- Juodoji jūra (the Black Sea), Baltoji jūra (the White Sea)
- Naujoji Zelandija (New Zealand)
- Mažoji Lietuva (Lithuania Minor)
2. Holidays, events and titles. Naujieji metai (New Year), Antrasis pasaulinis karas (the Second World War), Vytautas Didysis (Vytautas the Great).
3. Kinds of things. Many established terms naming a kind use the definite form: juodoji arbata (black tea), žalioji arbata (green tea), baltasis gandras (the white stork), pirmoji pagalba (first aid), aukštoji mokykla (a university or college). In everyday speech, juoda arbata can also refer to black tea; the established term uses the definite form.
4. Every word changes. The adjective keeps its definite form in every case, and the noun changes too:
- Gyvenu Didžiojoje Britanijoje. (I live in Great Britain.)
- Su Naujaisiais metais! (Happy New Year!) See Holiday Wishes With Su.
- Atostogavome prie Juodosios jūros. (We had a holiday by the Black Sea.)
5. Capital letters. In a name, the first word starts with a capital letter: Naujieji metai, Juodoji jūra. Britanija is a name by itself, so it keeps its capital too: Didžioji Britanija. Terms like juodoji arbata use small letters. The holiday is Naujieji metai; the coming year as a period can be naujieji metai. See Lowercase Days, Months and Nationalities.
Examples (6)
- Naujuosius metus sutikome su draugais.
We saw in the New Year with friends.
Sutikti takes the accusative: Naujuosius metus.
- Mano sesuo gyvena Didžiojoje Britanijoje.
My sister lives in Great Britain.
Both words are in the locative.
- Vasarą važiuosime prie Juodosios jūros.
In summer we will go to the Black Sea.
Prie takes the genitive: Juodosios jūros.
- Ar geri juodąją arbatą, ar žaliąją?
Do you drink black tea or green tea?
The name of a kind of tea keeps the definite form in the accusative too.
- Lietuvoje gyvena daug baltųjų gandrų.
Many white storks live in Lithuania.
Daug takes the genitive plural: baltųjų gandrų.
- Ar moki suteikti pirmąją pagalbą?
Do you know how to give first aid?
Pirmoji pagalba is a fixed term, so it keeps the definite form.
Common Mistakes
Changing only the noun for case.
Gyvenu Didžioji Britanijoje.Gyvenu Didžiojoje Britanijoje.Both words change for case, so the adjective takes the locative too.
Using the plain adjective in a place name.
Atostogavome prie Juodos jūros.Atostogavome prie Juodosios jūros.With the plain form, the phrase would describe any dark sea. The name of the sea needs the definite form.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Definite adjective forms distinguish established names and terms from ordinary descriptions.
Related Patterns
- Adjective Case Agreement
Adjectives change for case, and definite forms have their own endings.
Level 2 - su gimtadieniuHoliday Wishes with Su
Holiday wishes like Su Naujaisiais metais use su with the instrumental.
Level 2 - Years With Definite Ordinals
Years also use definite ordinal forms.
Level 3 - Ordinal Numbers
Ordinals in names take definite forms, as in Antrasis pasaulinis karas.
Level 2 - Definite Participles
Participles also have definite forms, which are common in terms.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice Definite Forms in Names and Terms in Bubblegum
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