argi / nejaugi
Surprised and Rhetorical Questions
Argi and nejaugi take the place of ar at the start of a question when you are surprised or doubtful: Argi tu nežinojai? (Didn't you know?) Nejaugi jau vakaras? (Is it really evening already?)
How It Works
1. Nejaugi: surprise
- Nejaugi tai tiesa? (Can that really be true?)
- Nejaugi tu jau grįžai? (Are you back already?)
In speech, the shorter forms nejau and negi are common and mean the same.
2. Argi: an answer is expected
- With a negative verb, the speaker often expects agreement: Argi aš tau nesakiau? (Didn't I tell you?) I did tell you.
- With a positive verb, the speaker may suggest a negative answer: Argi tai svarbu? (Does that really matter?) It does not.
3. Spelling
Both words end in the particle gi. Argi is ar + gi, and nejaugi is ne + jau + gi. Both are written as one word.
Other question words
Examples (6)
- Argi tu nežinojai?
Didn't you know?
Word by Word: Surely you not-knew?
The speaker expected the listener to know already.
- Nejaugi jau vakaras?
Is it really evening already?
Word by Word: Can-it-be already evening?
- Nejaugi tai tiesa?
Can that really be true?
Word by Word: Can-it-be that truth?
- Argi ne gražu?
Isn't it beautiful?
Word by Word: Surely not beautiful?
- Argi tai svarbu?
Does that really matter?
Word by Word: Surely that important?
The speaker suggests that it does not matter.
- Nejaugi tu jau grįžai?
Are you back already?
Word by Word: Can-it-be you already returned?
Common Mistakes
Using ar together with nejaugi.
Ar nejaugi tu nežinojai?Nejaugi tu nežinojai?Nejaugi and argi take the place of ar. Do not use both in the same question.
Using argi for a plain question.
Argi traukinys išvyksta septintą?Ar traukinys išvyksta septintą?The speaker only wants the information. Argi would suggest doubt or an expected answer; for a plain yes-no question, use ar.
Writing argi as two words.
Ar gi tu nežinojai?Argi tu nežinojai?The particle gi is written together with short words that do not change form, so the correct spelling is argi.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Argi and nejaugi express surprise or an expected answer in a question.
Related Patterns
- giEmphatic Gi
The gi at the end of argi and nejaugi is the emphatic particle gi.
Level 5 - kažinI Wonder with Kažin
Kažin is another question word of doubt: I wonder.
Level 5 - jukAfter All with Juk
Juk makes a statement that expects agreement, much like argi with a negative verb.
Level 4 - ne- + verbNegation with Ne-
Argi with a negative verb often seeks agreement with what the speaker expects.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice argi / nejaugi in Bubblegum
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