Sakinys

In linguistic terms, sakinys is the Lithuanian word for 'sentence'. A sakinys is a unit of language that expresses a complete thought and serves as the primary unit of discourse. In Lithuanian grammar, it typically consists of a predicate and a subject, though its form varies because Lithuanian is highly inflected. Sakinys can be simple or complex, and it can express statements, questions, commands, or exclamations.

Classification by function yields four main types: declarative (statements), interrogative (questions), imperative (commands), and exclamative. Punctuation marks in writing correspond to these functions: periods for declaratives, question marks for interrogatives, and exclamation marks for imperatives and exclamatives.

Structure and elements: the core consists of the subject and predicate. Additional elements may include objects, complements, and modifiers. Lithuanian syntax is relatively flexible because nouns, adjectives, and verbs are heavily inflected, so grammatical relations are often shown by case endings rather than by strict word order. A typical simple sakinys follows a subject–predicate order, but variations are common.

Complexity: a simple sakinys contains a single main clause. A compound sakinys contains two or more independent clauses linked by coordinating conjunctions, while a complex sakinys includes dependent clauses connected to a main clause.

Examples: Lietus lyja. Ar tu ateisi? Palik mane ramybėje!