laukti / ieškoti / prašyti + genitive

Verbs That Take the Genitive

Level 2

With laukti (to wait for), ieškoti (to look for) and prašyti (to ask for), the thing awaited, sought or requested is in the genitive: Ko ieškai? (What are you looking for?).

How It Works

1. The common verbs.

  • laukti ko (to wait for): Laukiu autobuso.
  • ieškoti ko (to look for): Ieškau darbo.
  • prašyti ko (to ask for): Prašau sąskaitos.
  • linkėti kam ko (to wish someone something): Linkiu sėkmės! (Good luck!)
  • siekti ko (to aim for): Siekiu tikslo. (I am working toward my goal.)

2. Pronouns. The genitive pronouns are manęs, tavęs, jo, jos, mūsų, jūsų, jų: Palauk manęs! (Wait for me!), Ieškojau tavęs (I was looking for you).

3. Asking for. With prašyti, the thing asked for is in the genitive. The person asked is usually in the genitive too, though the accusative is also used: Paprašiau draugo pagalbos (I asked a friend for help). In a café, Prašau sąskaitos means The bill, please. For prašau as a plain please, see prašau and prašom.

4. An existing genitive stays genitive. The object is already genitive, so it stays that way: Nelaukiu autobuso (I am not waiting for the bus). Compare the genitive after negation, where an accusative changes.

5. More verbs like these. Verbs of fearing, listening and missing also take the genitive, as in Bijau šunų (I am afraid of dogs). See feelings and listening with the genitive.

Examples (6)

  1. Laukiu autobuso jau dvidešimt minučių.

    I've been waiting for the bus for twenty minutes.

    Autobusas → autobuso after laukti.

  2. Ko ieškai? — Ieškau raktų.

    What are you looking for? — My keys.

    Word by Word: What are-you-looking-for? — I-look-for keys.

    Ko is the genitive of kas. Raktai → raktų.

  3. Prašau sąskaitos.

    The bill, please.

    Word by Word: I-ask-for bill.

    Sąskaita → sąskaitos after prašyti.

  4. Paprašiau draugo pagalbos.

    I asked a friend for help.

    Both the friend and the help are in the genitive.

  5. Linkiu jums geros dienos!

    Have a nice day!

    Word by Word: I-wish to-you good day!

    The person is in the dative, and the wish is in the genitive.

  6. Laukiu tavęs prie kavinės.

    I'm waiting for you outside the café.

    Tavęs is the genitive of tu.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the accusative after laukti.

    Laukiu autobusą.
    Laukiu autobuso.

    Laukti takes the genitive: autobusas → autobuso, tu → tavęs.

  • Using the accusative after ieškoti.

    Ieškau darbą.
    Ieškau darbo.

    Ieškoti takes the genitive: darbas → darbo.

How It Connects

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

laukti / ieškoti / prašyti + genitiveLevel 2Verbs That Take the Genitive

Learn This First

These verbs require a genitive complement even without negation.

Words in This Pattern

ieškoti