Latin Lesson #221: 3rd-conjugation -is

The focus for today's lesson is the 2nd-person forms for the 3rd-conjugation. No surprise, the ending is -is! Here's a review of all the 3rd-conjugation forms that you know:

• -o. scribo: I write. (also -io, capio. I take.)
• -is. scribis: you write.
• -it. scribit: she/he/it writes.
• -itur. scribitur: is written.
• -ere: scibere: to write.
• -e: scribe! write!

And here is the slideshow (with cats) of the words you have seen before. There is only one new word in today's sayings. You have seen all of the words here before!

And here are today's proverbs:

1. Calvum vellis.
You’re-plucking (a) bald (man).
calvum vellis.

You know both words in this saying already!

The word calvum is the accusative form of the adjective calvus, accusative because it is the object of the verb. The adjective is being used substantively as a noun, "bald, a bald man."

This is one of those proverbial fool's errands: a bald man has no hair for you to pluck.


2. Personam, non faciem geris.
You’re-wearing (a) mask, not (your) face.
per-SO-nam, non FA-ciem geris.

You know all of these words too!

The word geris is from the verb gerit, which has a wide range of meanings. In this saying, it means "wear."

The word personam is the accusative form of the noun persona, and faciem is the accusative form of the noun facies, accusative because these are objects of the verb.

This is a way to describe someone who is being hypocritical, presenting a false face to the world, a mask, not their true face.

3. Aquam in cribro geris.
You’re-carrying water in (a) sieve.
aquam in cribro geris.

These words are also familiar! In this saying, the verb geris means "carry."

The word aquam is the accusative form of the noun aqua, accusative because it is the object of the verb. 

The word cribro is the ablative from of the noun cribrum, ablative because of the preposition in.

This is another one of those fool's errands: if you carry water in a sieve, you will have lost all the water by the time you get to your destination.


4. Murem ex leone efficis.
You’re-making (a) mouse out-of (a) lion.
murem ex le-O-ne EF-ficis.

You'll recognize these words also.

The word murem is the accusative form of the noun mus, accusative because it is the object of the verb. 

The word leone is the ablative from of the noun leo, ablative because of the preposition ex.

This saying goes in the opposite direction of proverbs you've seen before: instead of making a big thing out of a small thing (compare "making a mountain out of a molehill"), this saying goes in the opposite direction: making something big and valuable into something small and worthless.

5. Ex arena funiculum nectis.

You’re-weaving (a) rope out-of sand.
ex a-RE-na fu-NI-culum nectis.

  
This is the one new word for today: the word nectis, "you weave," is from the verb nectit. This is where we get English "connect" and also "nexus," which is a Latin word we use in English.

The word funiculum is the accusative form of the noun funiculus, accusative because it is the object of the verb. 

The word arena (arenā) is the ablative from of the noun arena, ablative because of the preposition ex.

Another fool's errand: if you try to make a rope out of sand, it will fall apart; it will not be a rope.

Here's a recap:

• Calvum vellis.
• Personam, non faciem geris.
• Aquam in cribro geris.
• Murem ex leone efficis.
• Ex arena funiculum nectis.

And here is today's audio:



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