Skirtingais

Skirtingais is a Lithuanian instrumental plural form of the adjective skirtingas, meaning different, distinct, or varied. It is used to describe nouns in the instrumental case and signals differences or diversity among elements, groups, or concepts. Common collocations include skirtingais požiūriais (with different perspectives), skirtingais metodais (with different methods), and skirtingais laikais (at different times). The form follows Lithuanian grammar, with endings that change according to gender, number, and case. In standard usage, skirtingais typically appears with masculine or mixed-gender nouns in the instrumental plural; feminine nouns would take skirtingomis in the instrumental plural.

Etymology and form: skirtingas is derived from the stem skirt-, related to distinguishing or separating, and the suffix -ingas forms an adjective meaning “different” or “distinct.” The word is commonly employed in general Lithuanian discourse and is frequent in both written and spoken language, including academic writing, journalism, and criticism.

Usage notes: Skirtingais functions as a descriptive modifier, most often in plural phrases that compare or enumerate variations. The corresponding adverb is skirtingai, meaning “differently.” The related noun skirtingumas denotes the quality of being different, while skirtumas refers to a difference or distinction itself. These terms frequently appear in discussions of diversity, comparisons, or analyses of multiple viewpoints.

See also: skirtumas, skirtingumas, įvairovė.