Prefix už-

The Prefix Už-

Level 4

už-: eiti → užeiti (drop in), daryti → uždaryti (close), lipti → užlipti (climb up), rašyti → užrašyti (write down).

How It Works

1. Dropping in. Užeiti and užsukti mean to stop by for a short visit. The person's place takes pas with the accusative: Užeik pas mane. (Drop by my place.)

2. Closing and covering. uždaryti (to close), užrakinti (to lock), uždengti (to cover). These are the opposites of at- verbs: atidaryti → uždaryti. See the prefix at-.

3. Up onto something. užlipti (to climb up), užšokti (to jump up onto), užkelti (to lift up onto): Katė užšoko ant stalo. (The cat jumped up onto the table.)

4. Behind. Like už with the genitive, the prefix can mean behind: Katė užlindo už spintos. (The cat crawled behind the wardrobe.)

5. Writing down. užrašyti (to write down), užsirašyti (to note down for yourself, to sign up).

6. Starting or falling into a state. užmigti (to fall asleep), užsidegti (to light up, catch fire).

With a reflexive verb, the -si- follows the prefix: užsidaryti (to close, shut oneself in), užsisakyti (to order for yourself).

Examples (6)

  1. Užeik pas mane po darbo.

    Drop by my place after work.

    Word by Word: Drop-in at me after work.

  2. Uždaryk langą, šalta.

    Close the window, it's cold.

    Word by Word: Close window, cold.

  3. Užlipome į kalną.

    We climbed up the hill.

    Word by Word: We-climbed-up into hill.

  4. Užsirašyk mano telefono numerį.

    Write down my phone number.

    Word by Word: Write-down-for-yourself my phone number.

  5. Vaikas greitai užmigo.

    The child quickly fell asleep.

    Word by Word: Child quickly fell-asleep.

  6. Katė užšoko ant stalo.

    The cat jumped up onto the table.

    Word by Word: Cat jumped-up onto table.

Common Mistakes

  • Using į with a person when dropping in.

    Užeik į mane po darbo.
    Užeik pas mane po darbo.

    To visit a person, use pas with the accusative: pas mane, pas draugą. Į is for places, as in užeiti į parduotuvę.

  • Putting -si at the end of a prefixed verb.

    Parduotuvė uždarosi devintą.
    Parduotuvė užsidaro devintą.

    With a prefix, -si- moves to the spot right after it: už-si-daro.

How It Connects

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

Prefix už-Level 4The Prefix Už-

Learn This First

Už- has several spatial and result meanings learned with particular verbs.