tik
Only with Tik
Tik means only or just. Put it right before the word it limits: Turiu tik penkis eurus.
How It Works
1. Before the word it limits.
- Turiu tik penkis eurus. (I only have five euros.)
- Tik tu gali padėti. (Only you can help.)
- Parduotuvė dirba tik iki šešių. (The shop is only open until six.)
2. The case does not change. Tik is a small particle, which does not assign a new case to the following noun. In Turiu tik penkis eurus, the words stay in the accusative that turėti needs.
3. Not until. With a time word, tik often means not until: Grįšiu tik rytoj (I won't be back until tomorrow).
4. Just. Tik can soften a statement or a command: Aš tik klausiu (I'm just asking), Tik neišsigąsk! (Just don't be scared!). Tiktai is a longer form with the same meaning.
5. Set phrases. Tik appears in several fixed combinations: ką tik (just now), kai tik (as soon as), vos tik (barely, as soon as) and ne tik ..., bet ir ... (not only ... but also).
Examples (6)
- Turiu tik penkis eurus.
I only have five euros.
Tik limits the amount. The words stay in the accusative after turiu.
- Tik tu gali padėti.
Only you can help.
Tik comes before tu, the person it limits.
- Grįšiu tik rytoj.
I won't be back until tomorrow.
Word by Word: I-will-return only tomorrow.
Here tik limits the return to tomorrow; English expresses this as not until tomorrow.
- Parduotuvė dirba tik iki šešių.
The shop is only open until six.
- Aš tik klausiu.
I'm just asking.
Tik softens the statement.
- Tik neišsigąsk!
Just don't be scared!
Before a command, tik means just.
Common Mistakes
Changing the case after tik.
Turiu tik penki eurai.Turiu tik penkis eurus.Tik does not change the case. Turėti needs the accusative, so the words stay penkis eurus.
Putting tik before the wrong word.
Tik aš turiu penkis eurus.Aš turiu tik penkis eurus.Tik aš turiu penkis eurus means only I have five euros. To say you have only five euros, put tik before penkis eurus.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- netEven with Net
Net (even) also stands before the word it stresses.
Level 3 - bentAt Least with Bent
Bent (at least) is another focusing word placed before its word.
Level 4 - ką tikJust Now with Ką Tik
A set phrase with tik meaning just now.
Level 4 - kai tikAs Soon as with Kai Tik
A set phrase with tik meaning as soon as.
Level 4 - ne tik ..., bet ir ...Not Only ... but Also ...
A set pairing with tik meaning not only ... but also.
Level 4 - vos / vos tikBarely and as Soon as with Vos
Vos tik means as soon as or barely.
Level 5
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice tik in Bubblegum
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