Locative of Place
The locative answers kur? (where?) with no word for "in" or "at": Gyvenu Vilniuje (I live in Vilnius), Esu mieste (I am in town), Knyga yra kuprinėje (The book is in the backpack).
How It Works
Singular endings
- -as → -e: miestas → mieste, parkas → parke, Kaunas → Kaune.
- -is, -ys, -ias → -yje: kambarys → kambaryje (room), kelias → kelyje (road).
- -us, -ius → -uje, -iuje: turgus → turguje (market), Vilnius → Vilniuje.
- -a → -oje: mokykla → mokykloje, Lietuva → Lietuvoje.
- -ė → -ėje: gatvė → gatvėje, kuprinė → kuprinėje.
- Feminine -is → -yje: pilis → pilyje (castle).
Plural endings
-uose (namuose, miestuose), -ose (knygose), -ėse (gatvėse), -yse (akyse). Plural-only place names use them too: Trakuose (in Trakai).
Being there versus going there
- Esu parduotuvėje. — I am in the shop. (locative)
- Einu į parduotuvę. — I am going to the shop. (į + accusative)
The question Kur? covers both "where?" and "where to?", so the answer's case shows which one is meant.
When another pattern is used
- On a surface: ant + genitive, as in ant stalo (on the table).
- At someone's home or office: pas + accusative, as in pas draugą.
- At home: namie or namuose; see At Home and Homeward.
The locative can also place events in time, as in vakare (in the evening); see Locative of Time.
Examples (6)
- Gyvenu Vilniuje.
I live in Vilnius.
Word by Word: Live in-Vilnius.
Vilnius becomes Vilniuje.
- Esu mieste.
I am in town.
Word by Word: Am in-town.
Miestas becomes mieste.
- Knyga yra kuprinėje.
The book is in the backpack.
Word by Word: Book is in-backpack.
Kuprinė becomes kuprinėje.
- Dirbu mokykloje.
I work at a school.
Word by Word: Work in-school.
Mokykla becomes mokykloje.
- Vaikai žaidžia parke.
The children are playing in the park.
Word by Word: Children play in-park.
- Mano tėvai gyvena Lietuvoje.
My parents live in Lithuania.
Word by Word: My parents live in-Lithuania.
Common Mistakes
Using į with the accusative to say where someone is.
Esu į parduotuvę.Esu parduotuvėje.Į + accusative shows movement to a place. To say where you are, use the locative with no preposition.
Leaving the place name in the dictionary form.
Gyvenu Vilnius.Gyvenu Vilniuje.The locative ending means "in", so the place name must change: Vilniuje.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The locative marks where something is or happens.
Related Patterns
- į + accusativeInto and to with Į
The locative says where something is; į + accusative says where it is going.
Level 1 - iš + genitiveFrom with Iš
Iš + genitive says where something comes from.
Level 1 - ant + genitiveOn with Ant
For "on" a surface, Lithuanian uses ant + genitive instead of the locative.
Level 2 - namie / namoAt Home and Homeward
At home is usually namie or namuose.
Level 2 - Locative of Time
The same case can place events in time, as in vakare.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Locative of Place in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Lithuanian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
