Turiu

Turiu is the first-person singular present tense of the Lithuanian verb turėti, meaning to have. It is used to express possession in the present and is a fundamental form in everyday Lithuanian. The verb turėti belongs to the Baltic language family and has cognates in related languages such as Latvian.

Conjugation in the present tense: aš turiu, tu turi, jis/ji turi, mes turime, jūs turite, jie/jos turi. This form is commonly combined with various nouns to indicate ownership, for example: Aš turiu knygą (I have a book), Jis turi automobilį (He has a car).

In addition to signaling possession, turiu can express obligation or necessity when followed by an infinitive, meaning “I have to” do something. For example, Aš turiu padaryti namų darbus means “I have to do my homework.” This usage conveys a personal obligation and is common in everyday speech, though more formal or explicit obligation is often expressed with privalėti (to must) or reikalauti/reikia (to need).

Usage notes: turiu is one of the most frequently used verbs in Lithuanian due to its role in linking possession, conditions, and actions. It appears across all registers from casual conversation to written language. Learners typically master turiu early because it forms the basis for describing what one possesses and what one is obliged to do.