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!

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