Latin Lesson #216: Finishing up the -as verbs

The focus for today's lesson is one more set of proverbs with the -as ending, the “you” forms (2nd-person singular) of the 1st conjugation.

To get started, here is the slideshow (with cats) of the words you have seen before: it’s almost all of the words in the sayings today!

And here are today's proverbs:

1. Aras litus.
You’re-plowing seashore.
aras litus.

The word aras, "you are plowing," is from the verb arat, the root that you see in English "arable."
The word litus is the accusative form of the neuter noun litus (accusative and nominative forms are identical). It's in the accusative case because it is the object of the verb.

This is one of those proverbial fool's errands: you can plow the seashore all you want, but nothing will grow there in the sand.


2. Alienum aras arvum.
You’re-plowing another-(person)’s field.
ali-E-num aras arvum.

You know all the words in this saying already!
The word arvum is the accusative form of the neuter noun arvum (accusative and nominative forms are identical). It's in the accusative case because it is the object of the verb, and the adjective alienum agrees with arvum in gender and case, neuter accusative.

This is also a fool's errand, but a different one: if you plow someone else's field, someone else will be benefiting from all your hard work.

3. Cum umbra pugnas.
You’re fighting with-a-shadow.
cum umbra pugnas.

You know all the words in this saying too!

The word pugnas is from the verb pugnat.

The word umbra (umbrā) is the ablative form of the noun umbra. It's in the ablative case because the preposition cum takes the ablative.

Another fool's errand, this time based on delusion: even if you "win" fighting with a shadow, you will not have accomplished anything. Compare the English saying, "tilting at windmills" (a saying inspired by Don Quixote).

4. Fugiens, animam servas.
Running-away, you-save your-life.
FU-giens, A-nimam servas.

And these words are all familiar as well!

The word servas is from the verb servat.

The word fugiens is a verbal adjective (participle), and it is in the nominative case, agreeing with the implied subject of the verb: you.

The word animam is the accusative form of the noun anima, and it's in the accusative case because it is the object of the verb. Literally, the anima is the soul, but it can also mean your life: if you lose your soul, your life is forfeit too. 

Compare the English saying, "He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day."


5. Sisyphium portas saxum.
You’re-carrying (a) Sisyphean rock.
Si-SY-phium portas saxum.

The word portas, "you are carrying," is from the verb portat, the root that you see in English "portable."
The word saxum is the accusative form of the neuter noun saxum, and it's in the accusative case because it is the object of the verb, and the adjective Sisyphium agrees with saxum in gender and case, neuter accusative.

Remember Sisyphus? He was punished by the gods in the afterlife, condemned to roll a stone up a hill, only to have it roll down again... again... and again. So, if you are carrying the rock of Sisyphus, you are engaged in some kind of unending, futile effort. 


Here's a recap:

• Aras litus.
• Alienum aras arvum.
• Cum umbra pugnas.
• Fugiens, animam servas.
• Sisyphium portas saxum.

And here is today's audio:



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Latin Lesson #215: -as verbs with prepositions

The focus for today's lesson is more practice with the -as "you" verbs of the 1st conjugation, along with a little preposition review; each of today's sayings includes a prepositional phrase.

One of today's saying is very similar to one you've seen before: Ante tubam trepidat, "He's trembling before the war-trumpet (has sounded)." The version today just changes the verb: Ante tubam trepidat, "You're trembling before the war-trumpet (has sounded)." That's how sayings work: you adjust them to fit the circumstances!

To get started, here is the slideshow (with cats) of the words you have seen before:

And here are today's proverbs:

1. In arena aedificas.
You’re-building in sand.
in a-RE-na ae-DI-ficas.

The word aedificas is the 2nd-person form of aedificat, "build." The Latin word is a compound: aed-facio, "building-make." This is the root of the English word "edifice."

The word arena (arenā) is the ablative form of arena with the preposition in.

This saying can be applied to anyone who is embarking on a big project on a shaky foundation!

2. Ante tubam trepidas.
You’re-trembling before the-war-trumpet (blows).
ante tubam TRE-pidas.

You already know all the words in this saying!

The word trepidas is the 2nd-person form of trepidat.

The word tubam is the accusative form of tuba with the preposition ante. Remember: most prepositions take the ablative case, but some can take the accusative case, like ante.

Compare the English saying, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

3. In media luce erras.
You’re-blundering in broad daylight.
in ME-dia luce erras.

You also know all the words in this saying!

The word erras is the 2nd-person form of errat.

The word luce is the ablative form of lux with the preposition in. Because luce is a feminine noun, it takes a feminine adjective, also in the ablative case: mediā.

The Latin literally says "in the middle of the light," but I thought the English phrase "in broad daylight" was a good equivalent. The idea is that when there's plenty of light, there's no reason to blunder around as if you were in the dark.

4. Aquam e pumice postulas.
You’re demanding water from stone.
aquam e PU-mice POS-tulas.

The word postulas is the 2nd-person form of postulat, "demand, ask, request." You can see this word in English "postulate" and "expostulate."
The word pumice is the ablative form of pumex with the preposition in.  

The word aquam is the accusative form of aqua. It's in the accusative case because it is the object of the verb.

Compare the English saying, "blood from a turnip."
 

5. Viperam sub ala nutricas.
You’re nourishing a-snake under (your) wing.
VI-peram sub ala nu-TRI-cas.

The word nutricas is the 2nd-person form of nutricat, "nourish." You can see the Latin root in the English word "nutrition."
The word ala (alā), "wing," is the ablative form of ala with the preposition in.  This word is at the root of "aileron," a part of an airplane wing. The Latin word ala can also mean "armpit," metaphorically mapping the bird's wing onto the human body.

The word viperam is the accusative form of vipera. It's in the accusative case because it is the object of the verb.

Compare the English phrase, "to nourish a viper in one's bosom." Of course, nourishing a viper in your armpit would be seriously scary!


Here's a recap:

• In arena aedificas.
• Ante tubam trepidas.
• In media luce erras.
• Aquam e pumice postulas.
• Viperam sub ala nutricas.

And here is today's audio:



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Week 72 Catch-Up Day

Here is the new catch-up day post for the volo verbs from last week and the -as verbs from this week, 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!

• #211: Vult plus the infinitive
• #212: Velle-nolle
• Week 71 Vocabulary Review
• #213: 2nd-person 1st-conjugation
• #214: -as verbs with datives

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!

Inops, potentem dum vult ______, perit.
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imitari

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Esuriens venter non vult ______ libenter.
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studere

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Bos ad aquam tractus non vult ______ coactus.
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potare

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Felis amat piscem, sed non vult ______ flumen.
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tangere

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Error in orbe gravis: vult porca ______ Minervam.
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docere

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Aliud est velle, aliud ______.
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posse

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Sapientia est vera: nolle nimis ______.
fill in the blank:

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sapere

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______ posse et nolle laus amplissima est.
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Nocere

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Stultum est vicinum velle ______ incendio.
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ulcisci

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Non pudor est non ______; pudor, nil discere velle.
fill in the blank:

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scire

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Hydram ______.
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secas

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Leonem ______.
fill in the blank:

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stimulas

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Ovum ______.
fill in the blank:

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adglutinas

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Harenam ______.
fill in the blank:

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mensuras

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Mortuum ______.
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flagellas

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Cantas ______.
fill in the blank:

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surdo

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Das assem ______.
fill in the blank:

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elephanto

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______ aquam ministras.
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Ranae

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Aquilam ______ comparas.
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noctuae

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Testudinem ______ comparas.
fill in the blank:

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Pegaso

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And here's a random cat:

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Latin Lesson #214: -as verbs with datives

The focus for today's lesson is more practice with -as verbs, the 2nd-person “you” verbs, 1st conjugation... plus a review of the dative case too. Each of today’s sayings has at least one dative words. You will see feminine dative nouns ending in -ae (1st declension) and masculine dative nouns ending in -o (2nd declension).

To get started, here is the slideshow (with cats) of the words you have seen before:

And here are today's proverbs:

1. Cantas surdo.
(You) are-singing to-a-deaf (man).
cantas surdo.

You know all the words in this saying already!

The word cantas is the 2nd-person form of the verb cantat.

The word surdo is the dative form of the adjective surdus, being used here as a noun: "a deaf (man)." 

In other words, you're wasting your time, talking to someone who cannot hear you. 

Compare the English saying "talking to a post" or "talking to a brick wall."

2. Das assem elephanto.
(You) are-giving a-penny to-an-elephant.
das assem ele-PHAN-to.

The word das is the 2nd-person form of the verb dat.
The word assem is the accusative form of the word as, which is a very low-value Roman coin; hence the translation: penny. 

The word elephanto is the dative form of the noun elephantus.

The elephant here is a trained circus elephant; after elephants had performed their tricks, they were trained to them wave their trunks at the audience, expecting the audience to pay the elephant for the performance by giving them coins.

This saying was famously associated with the Emperor Augustus who would use it whenever someone was hesitant in offering him a gift, trembling in fear like someone giving a penny to an elephant.


3. Ranae aquam ministras.
(You) are-giving water to-a-frog.
ranae aquam mi-NIS-tras.

The word ministras is the 2nd-person form of the verb ministrat, which means "wait upon, serve," and also "serve up," which is the sense here. You can see this root in English "minister" and "administer."

The word aquam is the accusative form of the noun aqua, while the word ranae is the dative form of the noun rana.

This saying can mean giving someone exactly what they want, because frogs like water. But it can also have the sense of giving someone something that they already have plenty of. It's all about the context in which the saying is used!

4. Aquilam noctuae comparas.
(You) are-comparing an-eagle to-an-owl.
A-quilam NOC-tuae COM-paras.

The word comparas is the 2nd-person form of the verb comparat, which gives us English "compare."

The word aquilam is the accusative form of the noun aquila, while the word noctuae is the dative form of the noun noctua, "owl," the "night-bird" from the word nox, "night." 

The eagle was traditionally associated with the sun in both ancient Greek and Roman culture. For example, the eagle was supposedly the only bird that could look directly into the sun, which makes the eagle exactly the opposite of an owl, who avoids the sun and flies by night instead.

Compare the English saying about "apples and oranges."

5. Testudinem Pegaso comparas.
(You) are-comparing a-tortoise to-Pegasus.
tes-TU-dinem PE-gaso COM-paras.

This saying is like the previous one except that now the comparison is between something slow and something fast: testudinem, which is the accusative form of the noun testudo, and Pegaso, the dative form of Pegasus, the mythological flying horse.

You can read more about Pegasus at Wikipedia.


Here's a recap:

• Cantas surdo.
• Das assem elephanto.
• Ranae aquam ministras.
• Aquilam noctuae comparas.
• Testudinem Pegaso comparas.

And here is today's audio:



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Latin Lesson #213: 2nd-person 1st-conjugation

The focus for today's lesson is the 2nd-person singular form of 1st-conjugation verbs: it’s -as. So, das means “you give, you are giving,” and stas means “you stand, you are standing,” and so on. Easy!

That means you now a lot of verb forms for the 1st conjugation:

• muto: I change
• mutas: you change
• mutat: she/he/it changes (transitive)
• mutatur: she/he/it changes (intransitive); is changed
• muta: stand!
• mutare: to stand

Since the sayings today are just two words long each, there’s not a lot of vocabulary, so instead of a review slideshow, I’ll just include 3 sayings that have words you will see again today: ovum, leo, mortuus. 

Malum ovum, malus pullus. 
Bad egg, bad chick.

Durum tondere leonem. 
It's hard to shave a lion.

Canis mortuus non mordet. 

A dead dog doesn't bite.

And here are today's proverbs:

1. Hydram secas.
(You) are-cutting (a) hydra.
hydram secas.

The verb secas, "you slice, you cut, are cutting," is the 2nd-person form of the verb secat. This verb is at the root of English words like "section" and "intersect," and also "segment."
The word hydram is the accusative form of the noun hydra, which comes from Greek, as you can guess from the letter y in the spelling. The hydra was a water-monster that Hercules had to fight as one of his labors. The hydra had many heads, and his job was to cut off all the heads... but the problem was that every time he chopped off a head, another head or, even worse, two more heads would spring up in its place. Hercules finally figured out that if he burned off the stump of each head after chopping it off, the head could not grow back! 
The saying thus refers to someone making a bad situation even worse by attacking the problem without thinking out a good plan in advance.

You can read more about this old myth at Wikipedia: Second Labor of Hercules.


2. Leonem stimulas.
(You) are-rousing (a) lion.
le-O-nem STI-mulas.

The verb stimulas, "you goad, you rouse, you are rousing," is the 2nd-person form of the verb stimulat, as in English "stimulate."

The word leonem is the accusative form of the noun leo.

Of course, this means you are stirring up trouble. Compare the English saying about "poking the bear," which even has its own Wikipedia article: Don't Poke the Bear.

3. Ovum adglutinas.
(You) are-sticking-together (an) egg.
ovum ad-GLU-tinas.

The verb adglutinas, "you glue together, you stick together, you are sticking together," is the 2nd-person form of the verb adglutinat, which is a compound: ad+glutinat, "to-glue, glue together." The root of this verb is the same root as English "glue."

The word ovum is a neuter noun, so the accusative and nominative forms are the same; in this proverb, ovum is accusative, the object of the verb.

The idea is that, after an egg is broken, there is no point in trying to put it back together. Compare the famous English nursery rhyme, Humpty-Dumpty. Since Humpty-Dumpty because a character in Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass, everyone knows he is an egg, but originally, the nursery rhyme was a riddle: you were supposed to guess what could not be put back together again after falling off a wall. You can read more about this famous English rhyme at Wikipedia: Humpty-Dumpty.

4. Harenam mensuras.
(You) are-counting sand.
ha-RE-nam men-SU-ras.

The verb mensuras, "you measure, you count, you are counting," is the 2nd-person form of the verb mensurat, as in English "measure."

The word harenam, "sand," is the accusative form of the noun harena, also spelling arena (it's like that the Romans did not pronounce word-initial h). And yes, this is the origin of the English word "arena," so called because the ancient Roman arenas were strewn with sand to drink up the spilled blood.

This is a proverbial fool's errand: grains of sand are innumerable; they cannot be counted.


5. Mortuum flagellas.
(You) are-beating (a) dead (man).
MOR-tuum fla-GEL-las.

The verb flagellas, "you whip, you beat, you are beating," is the 2nd-person form of the verb flagellat, as in English "flagellate."

The word mortuum is the accusative form of the adjective mortuus, being used here substantively, as a noun.

Compare the English saying, "Beating a dead horse." That English saying is also in Wikipedia: Flogging a dead horse.

Here's a recap:

• Hydram secas.
• Leonem stimulas.
• Ovum adglutinas.
• Harenam mensuras.
• Mortuum flagellas.

And here is today's audio:



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Week 71 Vocabulary Review

The review this week is... the 1st conjugation! You'll see a variety of forms: 1st-person active, -o; 3rd-person present active, -at; present passive, -atur (sometimes with active meaning); imperative: -a; and active infinitive, -are. There's a quiz slideshow, a crossword, and a self-check quiz afterwards too. :-)

For each saying, you will try to supply the missing 1st-conjugation verb form. 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!

______ potest virtus, doctrina coronat.
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Nobilitare

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Annosa arbor non ______.
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transplantatur

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Vigilo et ______.
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spero

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Nec amor nec tussis ______.
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celatur

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______ et Homerus.
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Dormitat

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Maius est ______ quam solum lucere.
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illuminare

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Feles vociferans nil ______.
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venatur

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Dormiens nihil ______.
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lucratur

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Sapientia vino ______.
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obumbratur

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Columba ______, et quando rixatur; lupus odit, et quando blanditur.
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amat

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Dum ______, spero.
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spiro

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Spe ______.
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exspecto

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Fricantem ______.
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refrica

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Gutta ______ lapidem.
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cavat

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Iratum noli ______.
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stimulare

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Stultus ut luna ______.
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mutatur

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Cum sequitur leporem testudo ______ inane.
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laborat

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Noli ______ lapidem.
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verberare

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Pacem ______.
fill in the blank:

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amo

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And here's a random cat:

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