Nominative Subject
In these sentences, the subject is in the nominative: Tomas dirba (Tomas works), Knyga yra ant stalo (The book is on the table).
How It Works
Finding the subject
Ask kas? (who? what?) before the verb. In Mama gamina pietus (Mom is making lunch), kas gamina? — mama. The subject keeps its dictionary ending: namas, knyga, brolis, gatvė.
The subject can move
Because the ending marks the subject, it does not have to come first: Šiandien atvažiuoja mano sesuo. (My sister is arriving today.) See Flexible Word Order.
Pronouns are often dropped
The verb ending shows I, you, we: Dirbu Vilniuje (I work in Vilnius). Use the subject pronouns for emphasis or contrast. For he, she, they, the verb form is the same (dirba), so use a pronoun or noun when context does not already make the subject clear.
Subjects that surprise English speakers
- With patinka, the thing you like is the subject: Man patinka ši daina. (I like this song.) The song is in the nominative, and the person is in the dative.
- After yra meaning "there is", the thing that exists is the subject: Čia yra kavinė. See There Is With Yra.
- When something is absent, it moves to the genitive: Čia nėra kavinės. See Absence With Nėra.
Examples (6)
- Tomas dirba.
Tomas works.
Word by Word: Tomas works.
- Knyga yra ant stalo.
The book is on the table.
Word by Word: Book is on table.
Knyga is the subject and keeps its dictionary form.
- Vaikai žaidžia kieme.
The children are playing in the yard.
Word by Word: Children play in-yard.
A plural subject is also in the nominative: vaikai.
- Man patinka ši daina.
I like this song.
Word by Word: To-me pleases this song.
The song is the subject, so it is nominative daina, not accusative dainą.
- Dirbu Vilniuje.
I work in Vilnius.
Word by Word: Work in-Vilnius.
The ending -u already means "I", so aš is left out.
- Šiandien atvažiuoja mano sesuo.
My sister is arriving today.
Word by Word: Today arrives my sister.
The subject sesuo comes after the verb, but its ending still marks it as the subject.
Common Mistakes
Putting the liked thing in the accusative after patinka.
Man patinka kavą.Man patinka kava.With patinka, the thing you like is the subject, so it stays in the nominative: kava.
Putting the thing that exists in the accusative after yra.
Čia yra kavinę.Čia yra kavinė.In "there is" sentences, the thing that exists is the subject, so it is nominative kavinė.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The nominative is the subject form within the case system.
Related Patterns
- Predicate Nominative
After esu or yra, the word describing the subject is nominative too.
Level 1 - Accusative Direct Object
The subject is nominative, while the direct object is accusative.
Level 1 - aš, tu, jis, ji, mes, jūs, jie, josPersonal Pronouns
The subject pronouns are the nominative forms of the personal pronouns.
Level 1 - man patinkaLiking with Patikti
With patinka, the thing liked is the nominative subject.
Level 1 - nėra + genitiveAbsence with Nėra
When something is absent, the subject moves to the genitive.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
- kas / kąQuestion Word KasLevel 1
- čia yraThere Is with YraLevel 1
- Flexible Word OrderLevel 2
- savoReflexive Possessive SavoLevel 2
- Comparison With kaipLike and as with KaipLevel 3
- savęs / sau / saveThe Reflexive Pronoun SavęsLevel 3
- Genitive Subjects Meaning SomeLevel 5
- Half-Participle -damasWhile Doing: -damasLevel 5
Practice Nominative Subject in Bubblegum
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