English can is two verbs in Lithuanian. is to know how: a skill you have learnt. I can sing. is to be able to, or to be allowed to, here and now: I can't come today.
and
| Infinitive | · | · | Meaning | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -a verb: -u · -i · -a | |||||||
| to know how | |||||||
| to know how | |||||||
| -i verb: -iu · -i · -i | |||||||
| can, may | |||||||
| can, may | |||||||
With , written as one word: , · , .
Both take a verb in the infinitive: , I can dance · , I can come. With a language, needs no second verb: I speak Lithuanian.
Which one?
| You say | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A skill | |
| I can swim. | |
| I can swim. | |
| Jonas can play. | |
| Jonas can play. | |
| Not possible now | |
| I can't swim today: it's too cold. | |
| I can't swim today: it's too cold. | |
| Not allowed | |
| After midnight he can't play. | |
| After midnight he can't play. | |
| Asking if you may | |
| Can I try it on? | |
| Can I try it on? | |
| Allowed or not | |
| · | You may. · You mustn't. |
| You may. · You mustn't. | |
Aš moku groti ir dainuoti.I can play and sing.
Aš visai nemoku šokti.I can't dance at all.
Aš visai nemoku šokti.I can't dance at all.
Jonai, po vidurnakčio tu negali groti.Jonas, you can't play after midnight.
Tomas nemoka šokti, bet gali išmokti.Tomas can't dance, but he can learn.
Rūta moka gaminti. Ji gera virėja.Rūta can cook. She's a good cook.
Moku važiuoti dviračiu.I can ride a bike.
Moku važiuoti dviračiu.I can ride a bike.
Practice 1/5 · Finding words
Find the words
Tap the forms of mokėti and galėti.
, .
I can play, but not at night.
?
Can you cook?
, .
Tomas can't dance, but he can learn.
.
We can help at the stall.
.
We can help at the stall.
Practice 2/5 · The right form
The right person
Choose the right word for the gap.
Aš gaminti.
I can cook.
Aš gaminti.
I can cook.
Elze, ar tu šokti?
Elzė, can you dance?
Elze, ar tu šokti?
Elzė, can you dance?
Jonas groti būgnu.
Jonas can play the drum.
Mes ateiti šeštadienį.
We can come on Saturday.
Ar jūs prižiūrėti Micių?
Can you look after Micius?
Elzė ir Jonas dainuoti.
Elzė and Jonas can sing.
Mes su močiute gaminti blynus.
Grandma and I can make pancakes.
Micius sėdėti krepšyje.
Micius can sit in the basket.
Ar jūs groti?
Can you play an instrument?
Know how, or can?
A skill: mokėti. Possible or allowed now: galėti.
Moku plaukti, bet šiandien : per šalta.
I can swim, but not today: it's too cold.
Moku plaukti, bet šiandien : per šalta.
I can swim, but not today: it's too cold.
Ar pasimatuoti?
Can I try it on?
Ar pasimatuoti?
Can I try it on?
Po vidurnakčio Jonas groti.
After midnight Jonas isn't allowed to play.
Šiandien aš ateiti. Aš dirbu.
I can't come today. I'm working.
Šiandien aš ateiti. Aš dirbu.
I can't come today. I'm working.
Ar jūs lietuviškai?
Do you speak Lithuanian?
Practice 3/5 · Fill the gaps
Who can do what?
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
Jonas groti ir dainuoti.
Jonas can play and sing.
Aš dainuoti, bet truputį gaminti.
I can't sing, but I can cook a little.
Aš dainuoti, bet truputį gaminti.
I can't sing, but I can cook a little.
Po vidurnakčio Jonas groti.
After midnight Jonas can't play.
Ar aš padėti?
Can I help?
Ar aš padėti?
Can I help?
Practice 4/5 · Building sentences
Put the words in order
Put the words in order.
I can't sing at all.
I can't sing at all.
Can you dance?
I can play and sing.
No playing after midnight.
Tomas can learn to dance.
Can you come on Saturday?
We can ride a bike.
Elzė, can you help?
Elzė, can you help?
Practice 5/5 · In situations
The right words
Choose the right words for the situation.
Ona asks if you can cook. You can, a little.
You say:
Ona asks if you can cook. You can, a little.
You say:
Jonas asks you to come to his concert tonight, but you have to work.
You say:
It is not a skill you lack; it is not possible tonight: negaliu.
Jonas asks you to come to his concert tonight, but you have to work.
You say:
It is not a skill you lack; it is not possible tonight: negaliu.
Ask the shop assistant if you can pay by card.
You say:
Ask the shop assistant if you can pay by card.
You say:
Elzė holds Micius's front paws and asks him if he can dance.
Elzė says:
Micius is a cat, so tu: moki.
Unit complete
