jei / jeigu
Real Conditions with Jei
Jei and jeigu both mean if: Jei rytoj lis, liksime namie. (If it rains tomorrow, we will stay at home.) Unlike English, the if-part uses the future too.
How It Works
Jei or jeigu?
They mean the same. Jei is shorter and very common. Jeigu is just as correct.
Choosing the tense
- When both events are future, both clauses can use the future. Jei turėsiu laiko, ateisiu. (If I have time, I will come.) English normally uses a present form here; Lithuanian allows the future form. See The Future Tense.
- About now or in general: present. Jeigu nori, galime susitikti. (If you want, we can meet.)
- With a command: Jei nežinai, paklausk. (If you don't know, ask.)
Order and commas
The jei part can come first or second, and a comma always separates it: Paskambink man, jei ko nors reikės. See Commas Before Subordinate Clauses.
Imagined conditions
For something unlikely or unreal (if I were rich), Lithuanian uses the conditional mood instead. See Imagined Conditions.
If meaning whether
After words like nežinau (I don't know), English "if" means whether. Lithuanian uses ar there: Nežinau, ar jis ateis. See Indirect Yes-No Questions.
Examples (6)
- Jei rytoj lis, liksime namie.
If it rains tomorrow, we will stay at home.
Word by Word: If tomorrow will-rain, we-will-stay at-home.
Both parts are in the future tense.
- Jeigu nori, galime susitikti rytoj.
If you want, we can meet tomorrow.
Word by Word: If you-want, we-can meet tomorrow.
- Jei turėsi laiko, paskambink man.
If you have time, call me.
Word by Word: If you-will-have time, call me.
- Jei nežinai, paklausk.
If you don't know, ask.
Word by Word: If you-don't-know, ask.
- Jeigu vėluosiu, parašysiu tau žinutę.
If I'm late, I'll send you a message.
Word by Word: If I-will-be-late, I-will-write you message.
- Paskambink man, jei ko nors reikės.
Call me if you need anything.
Word by Word: Call me, if anything will-be-needed.
The jei part can come second. The comma stays.
Common Mistakes
Leaving out the comma between the two parts.
Jei turėsi laiko paskambink man.Jei turėsi laiko, paskambink man.A comma always separates the jei clause from the main clause.
Using jei for whether.
Nežinau, jei jis ateis.Nežinau, ar jis ateis.After nežinau or klausia, if means whether, and Lithuanian uses ar.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- Future -s-The Future Tense
Future events can use future forms in both clauses; present conditions and future results can also combine.
Level 3 - jei + conditionalImagined Conditions
For imagined or unlikely conditions, jei is used with the conditional mood.
Level 4 - Indirect Questions With arIndirect Yes-No Questions
When if means whether, Lithuanian uses ar, not jei.
Level 3 - Commas Before Subordinate Clauses
A jei clause is always separated from the main clause by a comma.
Level 4 - kaiWhen Clauses with Kai
Kai means when, for something you expect to happen, while jei is for something that may or may not happen.
Level 3 - Commands: -k, -kiteCommands with -k and -kite
The main part of a jei sentence is often a command, as in Jei nežinai, paklausk.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice jei / jeigu in Bubblegum
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