Predicate Nominative
After esu, esi, yra, a word that describes the subject stays in the nominative: Aš esu studentas (I am a student), Ji yra gydytoja (She is a doctor), Namas yra senas (The house is old).
How It Works
The pattern
subject + esu / esi / yra / esame / esate + noun or adjective in the nominative.
- Aš esu studentas. — a man speaking. A woman says Aš esu studentė.
- Mes esame lietuviai. — the noun is plural because the subject is plural.
- Šis namas yra labai senas. — an adjective works the same way.
Yra can be left out
In everyday speech and in headlines, yra is often dropped: Oras šiandien gražus. (The weather is lovely today.) In writing, a dash can stand in its place: Jonas — mokytojas.
Matching the subject
Nouns for people use the form that fits the person (see Male and Female Person Nouns), and adjectives agree in gender and number (see Adjective Agreement).
Nominative, not instrumental
For a basic present-tense identification, use the nominative after esu, esi or yra: Jis yra mokytojas. Other patterns also occur, including noun instrumentals for temporary roles with forms such as buvo (was). The instrumental is common with dirbti (to work as) and tapti (to become): Jis dirba mokytoju. See Instrumental for Roles.
Examples (6)
- Aš esu studentas.
I am a student.
Word by Word: I am student.
Said by a man. A woman says Aš esu studentė.
- Ji yra gydytoja.
She is a doctor.
Word by Word: She is doctor(female).
- Mes esame lietuviai.
We are Lithuanians.
Word by Word: We are Lithuanians.
The plural subject mes takes a plural noun.
- Šis namas yra labai senas.
This house is very old.
Word by Word: This house is very old.
An adjective after yra is nominative and matches the noun: masculine senas.
- Oras šiandien gražus.
The weather is lovely today.
Word by Word: Weather today beautiful.
Yra is left out, which is common in speech.
- Mano sesuo yra dailininkė.
My sister is an artist.
Word by Word: My sister is artist(female).
Common Mistakes
Using the accusative after esu, as if the noun were an object.
Aš esu studentą.Aš esu studentas.Būti does not take an object. The word that says what you are stays in the nominative.
Using a masculine adjective for a feminine subject.
Ji yra gražus.Ji yra graži.The describing word matches the subject. Ji is feminine, so the adjective is graži.
How It Connects
Learn This First
A noun identifying the subject can remain nominative after būti.
Related Patterns
- būti: esu, esi, yraThe Verb Būti in the Present
This pattern is built on the present forms of būti.
Level 1 - Male and Female Person Nouns
Person nouns after yra match the person: studentas or studentė.
Level 1 - Adjective Agreement
Adjectives after yra agree with the subject in gender and number.
Level 1 - Instrumental for Roles
With dirbti or tapti, a role can be instrumental: dirba mokytoju.
Level 2 - tai + nominativeIdentifying with Tai
Tai followed by a nominative noun is another way to name what something is.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice Predicate Nominative in Bubblegum
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