ir

Joining with Ir

Level 1

Ir = and: brolis ir sesuo, Aš dirbu ir studijuoju.

How It Works

Joining words and verbs. Put ir between the two parts, with no comma:

  • Turiu brolį ir seserį. (I have a brother and a sister.)
  • Aš dirbu ir studijuoju. (I work and study.)
  • In a simple list, you can join just the last two with ir: kava, arbata ir vanduo.

Joining sentences. Ir can join two short sentences too: Mama gamina pietus ir tėtis padeda. (Mom is cooking lunch and Dad is helping.)

Ir meaning too. Before a word, ir can mean too or even: Ir aš noriu! (I want some too!) The word for too is taught in too and also.

Ir or o? Ir simply adds. When you turn to another person or contrast two things, use o: Aš Tomas. O tu? (I am Tomas. And you?) For but, use bet.

Doubled, ir ..., ir ... means both ... and ...; see both ... and ... with ir. In formal writing you may also meet bei, which joins words in the same way.

Examples (5)

  1. Turiu brolį ir seserį.

    I have a brother and a sister.

    Word by Word: Have-I brother and sister.

  2. Aš dirbu ir studijuoju.

    I work and study.

    Word by Word: I work and study.

  3. Noriu kavos ir pyrago.

    I want coffee and cake.

    Word by Word: Want-I coffee and cake.

  4. Mama gamina pietus ir tėtis padeda.

    Mom is cooking lunch and Dad is helping.

    Word by Word: Mom cooks lunch and Dad helps.

  5. Ir aš noriu!

    I want some too!

    Word by Word: Also I want!

    Here ir means too, not and.

Common Mistakes

  • Using ir when you want to ask the other person their name.

    Aš esu Tomas. Ir tu?
    Aš esu Tomas. O tu?

    Ir tu? means You too? To turn the question to the other person, Lithuanian uses o.

  • Putting a comma before a single ir that joins two verbs.

    Aš dirbu, ir studijuoju.
    Aš dirbu ir studijuoju.

    Two verbs joined by one ir are parts of the same sentence, and they are not separated by a comma.

How It Connects

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irLevel 1Joining with Ir

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