Latin Lesson #226: You can — potes!

The focus for today's lesson is the verb form potes, "you can."

See that -es there at the end? Well, that is the same es that you learned earlier this week, which means "you are."

That's because the verb potes is really short for potis es, "able you-are," i.e. "you can." And that's true for the other forms of this verb that you have already learned: potest = potis + est and possum = potis + sum. It's true for the infinitive form too: posse = potis + esse. 

So now you know: the reason the verb "can" is irregular in Latin is because it's just another form of the verb "to be," which is a very irregular verb!

And here is the slideshow (with cats) of the words you have seen before, which is most of the words in today's sayings.

And here are today's proverbs:

1. Dum potes, vive.
While you-are-able, live!
dum potes, vive.

You know all the words in this saying!

The word vive is the imperative form of the verb vivit.

This is one of those memento mori sayings: while you are able to live, you better live, because the day will come when you die, and you won't be able to live then!

2. Quantum potes, tantum aude.
As-much-as you-can, that-much dare!
quantum potes, tantum aude.

You have another imperative here: aude, "dare!" from the verb audet.
You know the word quantum already, and the verb tantum makes a correlative pair: "as much... that much." Both quantum and tantum are neuter forms in the accusative case, the object of the verbs. 


3. Non potes Tethidem simul et Galateam amare.
You-aren't-able to-love Tethis and Galatea at-the-same-time.
non potes TE-thidem simul et Gala-TE-am a-MA-re.

You know all the words in this saying also, aside from the names of these famous Greek nymphs, Tethis and Galatea: Tethidem is the accusative form of the name Tethis, and Galateam is the accusative form of the name Galatea. They are in the accusative case because they are both objects of the infinitive verb, amare.

The verb potes can take an infinitive complement, just like English "able," so potes amare, "you are able to love."

Compare the English saying, "You cannot serve two masters." Although in this case, these are "mistresses," instead; you cannot have two girlfriends at the same time, especially if they are famous nymphs of Greek mythology.


4. Naturam frenare potes, sed vincere numquam.
You-are-able to restrain nature, but never overcome (it).
na-TU-ram fre-NA-re potes, sed VIN-cere numquam.

The word frenare, "to restrain, to rein in," is the imperative form of the verb frenat, which is the root of English "refrain." The word vincere is the infinitive form of the verb vincit. 

The word naturam is the accusative form of natura, accusative because it is the object of the infinitives frenare and vincere.

Compare the English saying, "Nature will out."


5. Tenere non potes, potes non perdere diem.
You-cannot keep the-day, you-can not waste (it).
te-NE-re non potes, potes non PER-dere diem.

This is a long saying, but you already know all the words in this one too!

The word tenere is the infinitive of the verb tenet, and the word perdere is the infinitive of perdit.

The word diem is the accusative form of dies, accusative because it is the object of the infinitives.

Like many sayings about dies (and also hora and lux), this is a sundial motto. The idea is that time keeps moving on; you cannot stop it: diem tenere non potes. But there is hope: you can manage not to waste the time you have, potes non perdere diem.

Here's a recap:

• Dum potes, vive.
• Quantum potes, tantum aude.
• Non potes Tethidem simul et Galateam amare.
• Naturam frenare potes, sed vincere numquam.
• Tenere non potes, potes non perdere diem.

And here is today's audio:



Plus the LOLCats!

---

Click here to subscribe/unsubscribe.

---

Latin Lesson #225: es! you are!

The focus for today's lesson is the 2nd-person singular form of the verb "to be" — es, "you are."

The verb "to be" is irregular, but you shouldn't be surprised that it ends in "s" just like the other 2nd-person forms you have seen:

• amas. "you love" from the verb amat ~ amare.
• habes. "you have" from the verb habet ~ habere.
• vivis. "you live" from the verb vivit ~ vivere.
• audis. "you hear" from the verb audit ~ audire.
• es. "you are" from the verb est ~ esse.

And here is the slideshow (with cats) of the words you have seen before:

And here are today's proverbs:

1. O Cupido, quantus es!
O Cupid, how-great you-are!
O Cu-PI-do, quantus es!

You haven't seen the masculine adjective quantus, "how much, how great," before, but you have seen the neuter form: quantum. 

You also know the word cupido already, but just as a noun meaning "desire, longing," but now this is Cupido, capitalized, meaning "Cupid," just like in English.

This words come from the play Mercator by the Roman playwright Plautus.

2. Martha, Martha, sollicita es.
Martha, Martha, you-are troubled.
Martha, Martha, sol-LI-cita es.

You haven't seen the feminine adjective sollicita, "troubled," before, but you have seen the masculine form: sollicitus. 

These words are spoken by Jesus to his follower Martha in the gospel of Luke; you can read more about Martha and her proverbial worries at Wikipedia.


3. Si es mortalis, vive ut mortalis.
If you-are mortal, live like (a) mortal.
Si es mor-TA-lis, vive ut mor-TA-lis.

You haven't seen the adjective mortalis, "mortal,"  before, but you have seen the noun that it comes from: mors. You know all the other words in this saying already!

This is another one of those memento mori sayings. You can read more about the memento mori tradition at Wikipedia.

4. O fortuna, numquam perpetuo es data!
O fortuna, you-are never given in-perpetuity.

O For-TU-na, numquam per-PE-tuo es data! 

You haven't seen the adjective data, "given," before, but you have seen the noun that it comes from: dat. More specifically, data is a passive participle form of the verb. You also know all the rest of the words in this saying.

These words come from the Roman playwright Terence. In both classical Latin and medieval Latin, you will find many sayings about the ups-and-downs of Fortune. You've already seen similar proverbs before; for example, Fortunae rota volvitur and Est rota fortunae variabilis, ut rota lunae.

5. Si semel es furans, furis nomen cape durans.
If once you-are being-a-thief, accept (the) lasting name of-thief!

Si semel es furans, furis nomen cape durans. 

You haven't seen the adjective durans, "lasting, enduring,"  before, but you have seen the verb that it comes from: durat. This is the neuter form of the adjective, agreeing with the neuter noun nomen.

The word furans means "thieving, stealing," which is a new word, but you already know the word fur, which you also see in this saying: furis is the genitive singular of fur.

You can tell from the rhyme, furans-durans, that this is a medieval Latin saying. The English translation is a bit awkward, in part because the Latin itself is awkward, and that's in order to achieve the rhyme. 

Here's a recap:

• O Cupido, quantus es!
• Martha, Martha, sollicita es.
• Si es mortalis, vive ut mortalis.
• O fortuna, numquam perpetuo es data!
• Si semel es furans, furis nomen cape durans.

And here is today's audio:



Plus the LOLCats!

---

Click here to subscribe/unsubscribe.

---

Week 77 Vocabulary Review

The review this week is... 2nd-person forms from the 1st and 2nd conjugation, because you don't want to forget those! The 1st-conjugation form is -as, and the 2nd-conjugation form is -es. As usual, there's a quiz slideshow, a crossword, and a self-check quiz afterwards too. :-)

For each saying, you will try to supply the missing word. You can check yourself by looking at the cat slide that follows the slide with the missing word(s). 

You can also begin at the end and work backwards, giving yourself a different kind of quiz: seeing the slide without English and trying to supply the English, checking your answer on the next slide, reviewing with the cat slide, and then seeing if you can fill in the blank. 

Plus don't forget: on the slides that contain the English translation, the English is linked to the original blog post if you want some help in understanding the grammar of the saying.

I also made a printable crossword PDF as usual, and the same prompts for the crossword and slieshow are used in the quiz questions below. Enjoy!

Cum umbra ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

pugnas

---

Memorem ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

mones

---

Sisyphium ______ saxum.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

portas

---

______ hircum.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

mulges

---

Leonem ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

stimulas

---

Fugiens, animam ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

servas

---

In media luce ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

erras

---

Asinum ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

tondes

---

Aquam igni ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

misces

---

Serpentem in sinu ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

foves

---

______ litus.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

aras

---

Doctum ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

doces

---

Harenam ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

mensuras

---

In arena ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

aedificas

---

Viperam sub ala ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

nutricas

---

Cauda ______ anguillam.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

tenes

---

Ante tubam ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

trepidas

---

Ovum ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

adglutinas

---

Mortuum ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

flagellas

---

Ranae aquam ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

ministras

---

And here's a random cat:

---

Click here to subscribe/unsubscribe.

---

Latin Lesson #224: More 2nd-person -is verbs

The focus for today's lesson is more practice with those 2nd-person forms of the 3rd conjugation, ending in -is. This time, you will see that each saying has two verbs connected with a conjunction: dum, meaning "while," and si, meaning "if."

And here is the slideshow (with cats) of the words you have seen before, and I think this is the first time that you already know all the words in today's sayings!

And here are today's proverbs:

1. Bibe, si bibis.
Drink, if you're-drinking.
bibe, si bibis.

The word bibis is the 2nd-person form of the verb bibit. You also get the imperative form of that same verb: bibe!

These words can be found in the Roman playwright Plautus, and you have to imagine people drinking or pouring from a shared goblet of wine: the idea is that you need to take a drink if you are going to take a drink and then pass the cup... the next drinker is waiting!


2. Ride, si sapis.
Laugh, if you're-wise.
ride, si sapis.

The word sapis is the 2nd-person form of the verb sapit.

The word ride is the imperative form of the verb ridet (that's a 2nd-conjugation verb, as you can see from the e in ridet).

The advice comes from the Roman poet Martial, who had a keen sense of the absurdity of life. If you are wise, as Martial is, you will laugh at all the absurdity you observe. (In the poem, Martial says he is quoting the poet "Paelignus," i.e. Ovid: Latin / English). This comes from the first line of the poem, and here is the final line: plora, si sapis, "weep, if you are wise."

Compare the English saying, "You've either got to laugh or cry."


3. Vive dum vivis.
Live while you're-alive.
vive dum vivis.

The word vivis is the 2nd-person form of the verb vivit. You also get the imperative form of that same verb: vive!

This is one of the "carpe diem" type of sayings: today does not come again, so live it up while you can!


4. Dum vivis, sperare decet.
While you're-alive, it's-appropriate to-have-hope.
dum vivis, spe-RA-re decet.

The verb decet is an impersonal verb, and it takes an infinitive complement; the word sperare is the infinitive form of the verb sperat. So, "it is appropriate," decet, "to hope, to have hope," sperare.

This is one of those "dum spiro spero" type of sayings: so long as there is life, you should not give up hope.


5. Dum quaeris, hora fugit.
While you're-seeking, time is-fleeing.
dum quaeris, hora fugit.

The word quaeris is the 2nd-person form of the verb quaerit.

The word hora can mean "hour," but it can also mean "time" in general, something like the idiomatic use of the phrase of "the hour" in English, i.e. "The hour has come..." = "The time has come..."

This is one of those Latin sayings engraved on sundials, the idea being that just at the moment that are seeking to know what time it is, time itself is running away. It only takes a moment for the moment of now to escape into the past!


Here's a recap:

• Bibe, si bibis.
• Ride, si sapis.
• Vive dum vivis.
• Dum vivis, sperare decet.
• Dum quaeris, hora fugit.

And here is today's audio:



Plus the LOLCats!

---

Click here to subscribe/unsubscribe.

---

Latin Lesson #223: More -is verbs

The focus for today's lesson is more -is verbs, plus a little preposition review, and some dative forms too!

Prepositions: Remember how some prepositions can take either the ablative case or the accusative case? The meaning is different depending on which case they take. Today you will get a review of what happens when the preposition in takes the ablative ("in") versus when it takes the accusative ("into").

You'll also get a review of some dative forms of the 1st declension (dative ending -ae), 2nd declension (dative ending -o), and the 3rd declension (dative ending -i).

And here is the slideshow (with cats) of the words you have seen before, which is most of the words!

And here are today's proverbs:

1. In aqua scribis.
You're-writing in water.
in aqua scribis.

You know all the words in this saying!
The word scribis is the 2nd-person form of the verb scribit.

The word aqua (aquā) is the ablative form of aqua, ablative with the preposition in.

This is another one of those fool's errands. If you writing in water, in sand, etc., your words will be washed away; they won't last.

2. In caelum exspuis.
You're-spitting into (the) sky.
in caelum EX-spuis.

The word exspuis, "you're spitting," is the 2nd-person form of the verb exspuit, literally "spit out," ex-spuit. This verb gives us English "sputum."

The word caelum is the accusative form of caelum (the neuter nominative and accusative always look the same). With the accusative, the preposition in now means "into."

Spitting up into the sky is not a good idea: it will fall back down and hit you in the face. Compare the English saying, "Don't spit into the wind."

3. Mari aquam addis.
You're-adding water to-the-sea.
mari aquam addis.

You know all the words in this one too!

The word addis is the 2nd-person form of the verb addit.

The word aquam is the accusative form of the noun aqua, and it's the direct object of the verb.

The word mari is the dative form of mare, the indirect object of the verb.

Another fool's errand: if there is anyone would doesn't need more water, that would be the sea! Compare the English saying, "coals to Newcastle."


4. Oleum camino addis.
You're-adding oil to-the-furnace.
O-leum ca-MI-no addis.

The word oleum is the accusative form of the noun oleum, "oil, olive  oil," and it's the direct object of the verb. You can see this Latin word in English "petroleum" and "linoleum."

The word camino is the dative form of caminus, "furnace," the indirect object of the verb. This is ultimately the origin of English "chimney."

Compare the English saying, "adding fuel to the fire."
 

5. Ranae vinum infundis.
You're-pouring wine for-the-frog.
ranae vinum in-FUN-dis.

The word infundis, "you're pouring, pouring on, pouring upon," is the 2nd-person form of the verb infundit, which gives us English "infusion."

The word vinum is the accusative form of the noun vinum, direct object of the verb.

The word ranae is the dative form of rana, the indirect object of the verb.

This is a waste of wine: a frog would be perfectly happy with water!


Here's a recap:

• In aqua scribis.
• In caelum exspuis.
• Mari aquam addis.
• Oleum camino addis.
• Ranae vinum infundis.

And here is today's audio:



Plus the LOLCats!

---

Click here to subscribe/unsubscribe.

---

Week 76 Catch-Up Day

Here is the new catch-up day post for the -es verbs and -is verbs (both 3rd and 4th conjugation!) from the past two weeks, along with a slideshow (including cats) of those sayings, plus a link to the crossword as usual (which you can download and print), and then... the self-quiz also!

• #219: More 2nd conjugation -es
• #220: 4th-conjugation -is
• Week 75 Vocabulary Review
• #221: 3rd-conjugation -is
• #222: More 3rd-conjugation -is

So, let's start with the slideshow with all the sayings. You can read out loud, first with the English to remind you of the vocabulary... and then read out loud again with the cat!

I also made a printable crossword PDF as usual, and the same prompts for the crossword are used in the quiz questions below. Enjoy!

Calvum ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

vellis

---

Vides horam, ______ tuam.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

nescis

---

Ultra Epimenidem ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

dormis

---

Frange nucis tegmen, si ______ esse nucem.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

cupis

---

Cribro aquam ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

hauris

---

In arena ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

scribis

---

Ante victoriam ______ triumphum.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

canis

---

Aquam in cribro ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

geris

---

Acum in meta faeni ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

quaeris

---

Ex arena funiculum ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

nectis

---

A pumice aquam ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

petis

---

Lucernam ______ in meridie.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

adhibes

---

Murem ex leone ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

efficis

---

Ab ______ lanam petis.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

asino

---

Animum debes mutare, non ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

caelum

---

Aut non ______ tentes, aut perfice.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

rem

---

______ implere debes, non arcam.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

animum

---

In pertuso hauris ______.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

dolio

---

Personam, non ______ geris.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

faciem

---

Si ______ iugulare tentes, fortiter apprehende.
fill in the blank:

reveal/hide answer

leonem

---

And here's a random cat:

---

Click here to subscribe/unsubscribe.

---