Infinitive -ti
The Infinitive in -ti
The infinitive ends in -ti: dirbti (to work), skaityti (to read), eiti (to go). Unprefixed reflexive infinitives end in -tis: mokytis (to learn).
How It Works
The dictionary form. Dictionaries and word lists give verbs in the infinitive, which ends in -ti: dirbti (to work), gyventi (to live), kalbėti (to speak), skaityti (to read), eiti (to go), būti (to be).
Unprefixed reflexive infinitives end in -tis. The extra -s comes from the reflexive ending -si: mokytis (to learn, to study), praustis (to wash oneself), džiaugtis (to be glad). Dropping it changes the meaning: mokyti means "to teach", but mokytis means "to learn". With a prefix, the reflexive marker normally moves before the root: pasimokyti. This form ends in -ti, but the internal -si- still marks it as reflexive. See reflexive verbs.
The infinitive does not show the present forms. You cannot always guess the present from the infinitive: kalbėti gives kalba, but turėti gives turi. Learners memorize three key forms for each verb; see the three principal parts.
When to use it.
- After noriu, galiu, moku: Noriu dirbti. See want, can and know how.
- After reikia and galima: Man reikia eiti. (I need to go.)
- After verbs of motion, to say why you go: Einu pietauti. (I am going to have lunch.)
Negation. Ne- is written together with the infinitive: nedirbti (not to work).
In speech. The final -i is often dropped in casual speech: dirbt, būt. Write the full form. See colloquial short forms.
Examples (6)
- Noriu dirbti.
I want to work.
The first verb has a personal ending; the second stays in the infinitive.
- Ar gali man padėti?
Can you help me?
- Mėgstu skaityti knygas.
I like reading books.
- Man reikia eiti namo.
I need to go home.
Word by Word: To-me need to-go home.
- Einu pietauti.
I am going to have lunch.
After a verb of motion, the infinitive says why you are going.
- Ji nori mokytis lietuvių kalbos.
She wants to learn Lithuanian.
Mokytis is reflexive, so its infinitive ends in -tis.
Common Mistakes
Putting a personal form after noriu or galiu.
Noriu dirbu.Noriu dirbti.Only the first verb takes the person ending. The verb that follows stays in the infinitive in -ti.
Dropping the -s of a reflexive infinitive.
Noriu mokyti lietuvių kalbos.Noriu mokytis lietuvių kalbos.The intended meaning is "I want to learn Lithuanian". Mokyti means "to teach"; "to learn" is the reflexive mokytis.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- norėti / galėti / mokėti + infinitiveWant, Can and Know How with an Infinitive
The most common verbs followed by an infinitive.
Level 1 - The Three Principal Parts
The infinitive is the first of the three forms to learn for each verb.
Level 2 - Reflexive -siReflexive Verbs in -si
Explains the reflexive -tis and -si endings.
Level 2 - man reikiaNeeding with Reikia
Reikia plus an infinitive says what someone needs to do.
Level 2 - Going Somewhere to Do Something
Going somewhere to do something uses the infinitive.
Level 2 - Colloquial Short Forms (Recognition)
Casual speech shortens -ti to -t.
Level 5
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
- galima + infinitiveAllowed and Not AllowedLevel 2
- turėti + infinitiveMust with TurėtiLevel 2
- Ongoing Versus Completed ActionsLevel 2
- Commands: -k, -kiteCommands with -k and -kiteLevel 3
- Person Nouns: -tojas, -ininkasPeople Named by What They DoLevel 4
- Past Passive Participle: -tas, -taPast Passive ParticipleLevel 4
- verta + infinitiveWorth Doing with VertaLevel 4
- Causative -inti, -dintiCausative VerbsLevel 5
And 3 more in the full list.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Infinitive -ti in Bubblegum
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