Reflexive -si- in Nouns and Participles
A reflexive verb keeps its -si in the words made from it: mokytis → mokymasis (learning), besimokantis studentas (a studying student).
How It Works
1. Why it matters. The -si is part of the meaning. Mokymas is teaching, but mokymasis is learning. Mokantis is someone who teaches or knows how, but besimokantis is someone who is studying.
2. Verbal nouns. Verbal nouns of unprefixed reflexive verbs end in -masis: mokytis → mokymasis, rūpintis → rūpinimasis (caring), domėtis → domėjimasis (interest). The -si follows the case ending and changes with it:
- mokymasis (nominative), mokymosi (genitive), mokymuisi (dative)
- mokymąsi (accusative), mokymusi (instrumental), mokymesi (locative)
3. After a prefix. As in prefixed reflexive verbs, -si- stays right after the prefix, and the ending declines normally: susitikti → susitikimas (meeting), atsiprašyti → atsiprašymas (apology), nusiprausti → nusiprausęs (having washed).
4. Participles with be-. An unprefixed present active reflexive participle normally gets be- so that -si- can stand inside the word: besimokantis studentas, daug besimokančių studentų. In the other cases this besi- form is the normal one.
5. The half-participle. -damas from an unprefixed reflexive verb adds -si at the end: mokydamasis (man), mokydamasi (woman), mokydamiesi, mokydamosi (plural): Rengdamasi į darbą, ji klausėsi radijo.
Examples (6)
- Kalbos mokymasis reikalauja kantrybės.
Learning a language takes patience.
Mokytis → mokymasis. Mokymas would mean teaching.
- Man trūksta laiko mokymuisi.
I do not have enough time for studying.
The dative mokymuisi: -si follows the case ending.
- Bibliotekoje sėdėjo daug besimokančių studentų.
Many students sat studying in the library.
Be- gives -si- a place inside the participle.
- Nusiprausęs vaikas nuėjo miegoti.
Having washed, the child went to bed.
After the prefix nu-, -si- stays inside: nu-si-prausęs.
- Rengdamasi į darbą, ji klausėsi radijo.
While getting ready for work, she listened to the radio.
Rengtis → rengdamasi for a woman.
- Susitikimas prasidės penktą valandą.
The meeting will start at five o'clock.
Susitikti → susitikimas: -si- stays after the prefix su-.
Common Mistakes
Dropping -si and changing the meaning.
Lietuvių kalbos mokymas man sekasi gerai.Lietuvių kalbos mokymasis man sekasi gerai.The speaker means their own learning. Mokymas means teaching.
Keeping the nominative ending in another case.
Man trūksta laiko mokymasis.Man trūksta laiko mokymuisi.The case ending changes, and -si moves along with it: mokymuisi in the dative.
Using the participle of mokyti or mokėti instead of mokytis.
Bibliotekoje sėdėjo daug mokančių studentų.Bibliotekoje sėdėjo daug besimokančių studentų.The speaker means students who are studying. Mokančių describes students who teach or know how.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Reflexive markers retain their special position in derived nouns and participles.
Related Patterns
- Reflexive -siReflexive Verbs in -si
The reflexive verbs these forms are made from.
Level 2 - Half-Participle -damasWhile Doing: -damas
Unprefixed reflexive verbs form mokydamasis and mokydamasi; prefixed forms retain internal si.
Level 5 - Past Active Participle: -ęs, -usiPast Active Participle
Nusiprausęs is the reflexive form of this participle.
Level 4
Practice Reflexive -si- in Nouns and Participles in Bubblegum
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