Prefix pa-

The Prefix Pa-

Level 2

pa- = done: daryti → padaryti. pa- = for a little while: miegoti → pamiegoti (take a nap).

How It Works

1. Finished actions. Many common verbs get their finished partner with pa-, as explained in ongoing versus completed actions:

  • daryti → padaryti (to do, to get done)
  • rašyti → parašyti (to write)
  • valgyti → pavalgyti (to eat, to have a meal)
  • skambinti → paskambinti (to call)
  • klausti → paklausti (to ask)

2. For a little while. With verbs that describe an activity, pa- can mean a bit or for a short time:

  • miegoti → pamiegoti (to take a nap)
  • laukti → palaukti (to wait a moment)
  • vaikščioti → pavaikščioti (to walk around a bit)
  • galvoti → pagalvoti (to think it over)

This is why paskaityti means to read a little, while the finished partner for reading a whole book is perskaityti, with per-.

3. Some pa- verbs have their own meaning. Learn them as new words: pasakyti (to say, to tell), pamatyti (to see, to catch sight of), padėti (to help, or to put down).

4. Reflexive verbs: pasi-. pasivaikščioti (to go for a walk), pasiimti (to take with you).

Do not infer the use of a present-tense verb from pa- alone. A resultative verb can describe repeated or bounded actions, while a verb such as padėti (to help) can describe help in progress; see prefixed verbs in the present.

Examples (6)

  1. Jau pavalgiau, ačiū.

    I have already eaten, thanks.

    Word by Word: Already I-ate, thanks.

    Pavalgyti is the finished partner of valgyti.

  2. Padariau visus namų darbus.

    I got all my homework done.

    Word by Word: I-did all home works.

  3. Po pietų truputį pamiegojau.

    After lunch I took a short nap.

    Word by Word: After lunch a-little I-slept.

    Here pa- means for a short time.

  4. Ar gali palaukti minutėlę?

    Can you wait a moment?

    Word by Word: Q can-you to-wait minute?

    Palaukti means to wait for a little while.

  5. Paskambinau mamai.

    I called Mom.

    Word by Word: I-called to-mom.

    Paskambinti takes the dative: mamai.

  6. Noriu pažiūrėti šį filmą.

    I want to watch this film.

    Word by Word: I-want to-watch this film.

Common Mistakes

  • Choosing pa- when you mean the whole thing.

    Paskaičiau visą knygą.
    Perskaičiau visą knygą.

    The speaker read the whole book. With skaityti, pa- means reading a little. For reading something through to the end, use perskaityti.

  • Putting the person in the accusative after paskambinti.

    Paskambinau mamą.
    Paskambinau mamai.

    Paskambinti, like skambinti, takes the dative: mamai, tau, jam.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Prefix pa-Level 2The Prefix Pa-

Learn This First

Pa- has several meanings, including a result or a short period of action.