Prefix ap-
The Prefix Ap-
ap- = around, all over: eiti → apeiti (go around), kabinti → apkabinti (hug), žiūrėti → apžiūrėti (look over).
How It Works
1. Around. apeiti (to walk around), apvažiuoti (to drive around), apibėgti (to run around). You can add aplink: Apėjome aplink ežerą. These verbs can also take a direct object: Apėjome ežerą.
2. Covering and wrapping. apkabinti (to hug), apsupti (to surround), apsirengti (to get dressed), apsiauti (to put on shoes).
3. Looking over, thinking over. apžiūrėti (to look over, examine), apsvarstyti (to think over).
4. Everyday reflexive verbs. The -si- follows the prefix: apsipirkti (to do the shopping), apsispręsti (to make up your mind), apsigyventi (to settle down somewhere).
5. Spelling: api- before b, p and f. Add an i before these letters: apibėgti, apipilti (to pour over). Compare ati- in the prefix at-. Before other voiced obstruents, ap- keeps its spelling but sounds like ab-, as in apžiūrėti. See voicing assimilation.
Examples (6)
- Apėjome aplink ežerą.
We walked around the lake.
Word by Word: We-went-around around lake.
- Greitai apsirenk!
Get dressed quickly!
Word by Word: Quickly dress-yourself!
- Mama apkabino vaiką.
Mom hugged the child.
Word by Word: Mom hugged child.
- Gydytojas apžiūrėjo ligonį.
The doctor examined the patient.
Word by Word: Doctor looked-over patient.
- Einu apsipirkti.
I'm going shopping.
Word by Word: I-go to-do-shopping.
- Apibėgau stadioną du kartus.
I ran around the stadium twice.
Word by Word: I-ran-around stadium two times.
Bėgti starts with b, so the prefix is written api-.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting the i before b, p or f.
Apbėgau stadioną.Apibėgau stadioną.Before a root that starts with b, p or f, the prefix is always written api-.
Leaving out -si- when you dress yourself.
Aš greitai aprengiau.Aš greitai apsirengiau.Aprengti means to dress someone else, as in Mama aprengė vaiką. To dress yourself, use the reflexive apsirengti.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Ap- expresses surrounding, covering or examining, with the form api- before certain roots.
Related Patterns
- aplink + accusativeAround with Aplink
Aplink often repeats the meaning of ap-: apeiti aplink.
Level 4 - apie + accusativeAbout and Around with Apie
Apie also means around, and it pairs with apibėgti and apeiti.
Level 3 - Prefix at-The Prefix at-
At- has the same spelling rule: ati- before t and d, like api- before b and p.
Level 2 - Reflexive -si- After a Prefix
Reflexive ap- verbs become apsi-, as in apsirengti.
Level 3 - Voicing Assimilation
Ap- keeps its spelling but its p is voiced before voiced obstruents such as ž in apžiūrėti.
Level 3 - Prefixes Paired With Prepositions
Ap- verbs of motion pair with aplink or apie.
Level 4
Practice Prefix ap- in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Lithuanian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
