Dual: mudu, mudvi
The Dual: Mudu and Mudvi (Recognition)
mudu / mudvi = we two, judu / judvi = you two. The verb stays plural: Mudu einame (We two are going).
How It Works
1. The dual pronouns. The -u forms are masculine or mixed, and the -vi forms are feminine:
- mudu, mudvi: we two
- judu, judvi: you two
- juodu or jiedu, jiedvi: they two
They also have case forms, for example mudviejų (of us two) and mudviem (to us two). The words abu, abi (both) are old dual forms too.
2. With a plural verb. In the standard language the verb and adjectives are plural: Mudu esame pasiruošę (We two are ready). A very common pattern is mudu su + instrumental, like mes su: Mudu su broliu einame į kiną (My brother and I are going to the cinema).
3. Choose by gender. Two women use mudvi. A man and a woman, or two men, use mudu.
4. Old dual verbs and nouns. Older texts, folk songs and some dialects also have dual verb endings -va and -ta (einava, we two go; einata, you two go) and dual nouns (du vyru, two men). These are not used in standard Lithuanian; recognize them when you see them.
Examples (6)
- Mudu su broliu einame į kiną.
My brother and I are going to the cinema.
Mudu is dual, but the verb einame is plural.
- Mudvi esame geriausios draugės.
We are best friends, the two of us.
Two women, so mudvi.
- Judu labai panašūs.
You two look very alike.
- Tai mudviejų paslaptis.
That is a secret between the two of us.
Mudviejų is the genitive of mudu.
- Jiedu susipažino universitete.
The two of them met at university.
- Einava namo.
We two are going home.
A dialect or folk-song dual verb. Standard Lithuanian: Mudu einame namo.
Common Mistakes
Using a dual verb ending in standard Lithuanian.
Mudu einava namo.Mudu einame namo.Dual verb endings like -va are dialect or old forms. In the standard language, dual pronouns take a plural verb.
Using mudvi for a man and a woman.
Mudvi su vyru gyvename Kaune.Mudu su vyru gyvename Kaune.Mudvi is only for two women. A mixed pair uses mudu.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Dual pronouns refer to two participants while ordinary modern agreement remains plural.
Related Patterns
- mes su + instrumentalWe with Su: Me and Someone
Mudu su broliu works just like mes su broliu, but says there are exactly two people.
Level 3 - abu / abiBoth
Abu and abi (both) are also old dual forms.
Level 4 - Personal Pronoun Case Forms
Dual pronouns have their own case forms, such as mudviejų and mudviem.
Level 2 - esmi / eimiOld Verb Forms in -mi (Recognition)
Old verb forms in -mi are another feature of folk songs and older texts.
Level 6
Words in This Pattern
Practice Dual: mudu, mudvi in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Lithuanian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
