Latin Lesson #199: 1st-person 3rd-conjugation verbs

The focus for today's lesson is more 1st-person forms, this time for the 3rd conjugation. This conjugation is different from the others because there are two different forms that you can find for the 1st person: sometimes it is -o and sometimes it is -io. There is no special rule for this; you just learn the forms as you go. In today's sayings, you will see some -o verbs and some -io verbs. The infinitive for both of them is the same, -ere. 

For example, vivo is an -o verb:

• vivo: I live
• vivere: to live

But sapio is an -io verb:

• sapio: I am wise
• sapere: I am wise

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

And here are today's proverbs:

1. In diem vivo.
I-live for the-day.
in diem vivo.

The verb vivo is the 1st-person form of vivit.

The word diem is the accusative form of the noun dies. It's in the accusative case with the preposition in, which means "into" or "for" when it's with the accusative case.

2. Ultra aspicio.
I-look beyond.
ultra as-PI-cio.

The verb aspicio is the 1st-person form of aspicit.

The word ultra, "beyond," is an adverb. You haven't seen this word before, but you've seen this related adjective: ultima. 


3. Patientia vinco.
I-conquer by-means-of-patience.
pati-EN-tia vinco.

The verb vinco is the 1st-person form of vincit.

The word patientiā is the ablative from of the noun patientia, meaning "with patience" or "by means of patience."

This is the Thompson Scottish Clan motto.


4. Aurum in stercore quaero.
I'm-seeking gold in a-manure-pile.
aurum in STER-core quaero.

The verb quaero is the 1st-person form of quaerit.

The word aurum is the accusative form of aurum (remember: neuter nouns have the same form in the nominative and the accusative); it's the object of the verb.

The word stercore is the ablative form of the noun stercus. The preposition in with the ablative means "in."
You've seen a different version of this saying before: Aurum e stercore. You may or may not find gold in the proverbial shit, but even if you do, it's not a pleasant task.


5. Feliciter sapio alieno periculo.
I-grow-wise happily at-another's peril.
fe-LI-citer SA-pio ali-E-no pe-RI-culo.

The verb sapio is the 1st-person form of sapit.

The word feliciter, "happily," is an adverb. You haven't seen this word before, but you've seen the related noun: felicitas.

The word periculo is the ablative form of the noun periculum, and the adjective alieno is also in the ablative, agreeing with the noun periculo. The ablative phrase means "at another's peril" or "by means of someone else's danger."

In other words, it's much better to learn from other people's dangerous mistakes than to make those mistakes on your own.

Here's a recap:

• In diem vivo.
• Ultra aspicio.
• Patientia vinco.
• Aurum in stercore quaero.
• Feliciter sapio alieno periculo.

And here is today's audio:



Plus the LOLCats!

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