Future -s-
The Future Tense
Take the infinitive, drop -ti, and add -siu, -si, -s, -sime, -site: dirbti → dirbsiu (I will work), skaitys (he will read), eisime (we will go).
How It Works
The endings (dirbti, skaityti, būti, mokytis)
- aš: dirbsiu, skaitysiu, būsiu, mokysiuosi
- tu: dirbsi, skaitysi, būsi, mokysiesi
- jis, ji, jie, jos: dirbs, skaitys, bus, mokysis
- mes: dirbsime, skaitysime, būsime, mokysimės
- jūs: dirbsite, skaitysite, būsite, mokysitės
Sound changes to know
- A stem ending in š or ž merges with -s- into š: grįžti → grįšiu, grįš; vežti → vešiu, veš.
- A stem ending in s or z keeps a single s: kąsti → kąs.
- A few short verbs shorten their vowel in the he/they form: būti → bus, lyti → lis (it will rain).
Reflexive verbs
Unprefixed reflexive verbs add the reflexive ending after the person ending: mokysiuosi, mokysis. In prefixed verbs it stays inside: pasimokysiu. See Reflexive Verbs in -si.
In speech
The we and you forms are often shortened: dirbsim, dirbsit. See Short Plural Endings in Speech.
When to use it
Use it for plans, predictions and promises: Aš tau paskambinsiu. (I will call you.) The present can also describe a fixed plan, as in Rytoj važiuoju į Kauną. For future conditions, see Real Conditions With Jei.
Examples (6)
- Rytoj būsiu namie.
Tomorrow I will be at home.
Word by Word: Tomorrow I-will-be at-home.
- Vakare skaitysiu knygą.
In the evening I will read a book.
Word by Word: In-evening I-will-read book.
Skaityti loses -ti and adds -siu: skaitysiu.
- Kitais metais važiuosime į Lietuvą.
Next year we will go to Lithuania.
Word by Word: Next year we-will-go to Lithuania.
- Jie grįš rytoj.
They will come back tomorrow.
Word by Word: They will-return tomorrow.
The stem grįž- merges with -s- into grįš.
- Ar tu ateisi į vakarėlį?
Will you come to the party?
Word by Word: Q you will-come to party?
- Nuo rudens mokysiuosi lietuvių kalbos.
From the autumn I will study Lithuanian.
Word by Word: From autumn I-will-study Lithuanian language.
Mokytis is reflexive, so the future is mokysiuosi.
Common Mistakes
Building the future from the present-tense stem.
Vakare skaitosiu knygą.Vakare skaitysiu knygą.The future comes from the infinitive skaity-ti, not from the present skaito, so it is skaitysiu.
Keeping ž before the future -s-.
Jis grįžs rytoj.Jis grįš rytoj.A stem ending in ž or š merges with -s- into š: grįžti gives grįš.
Dropping the reflexive ending and changing the meaning.
Nuo rudens mokysiu lietuvių kalbos.Nuo rudens mokysiuosi lietuvių kalbos.Mokysiu is from mokyti and means I will teach. To say I will study, use the reflexive mokysiuosi.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The future takes its stem from the infinitive and adds future person endings.
Related Patterns
- Infinitive -tiThe Infinitive in -ti
The future is built on the infinitive stem, so start from the -ti form.
Level 1 - The Present Tense
The present tense can also describe fixed plans, but the future is used for predictions and promises.
Level 1 - Reflexive -siReflexive Verbs in -si
Reflexive verbs add their own endings in the future: mokysiuosi, mokysis.
Level 2 - jei / jeiguReal Conditions with Jei
Lithuanian can use a future tense inside the jei clause; choose each clause’s tense for its own time reference.
Level 3 - Short Plural Endings in Speech
In speech, dirbsime and dirbsite often become dirbsim and dirbsit.
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Future -s- in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Lithuanian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
