Aliquis/aliqua/aliquid
Aliquis/aliqua/aliquid (pron. ; the feminine form is occasionally aliquis): someone, something; anyone, anything. Aliquī/aliqua/aliquod (adj.): some, a certain, a(n); any.
These two words are distinct but have similar forms and meanings.
— Aliquis/aliqua/aliquid is a pronoun meaning someone, something. In some contexts anyone or anything can also be a natural translation. Aliquis is the general word for someone. Aliquid is the general word for something. Aliqua is used in the occasional cases where a someone is known to be female: some woman (when the gender of a person is unknown, Latin defaults to the masculine).
— Aliquī/aliqua/aliquod is an adjective meaning some, a certain or (in some contexts) any. The indefinite article a(n) is sometimes a fair enough translation. Being an adjective means that it modifies a noun; e. g. , aliquod templum = some temple. (Occasionally the noun is implied; if you’ve been talking about temples you can say aliquod alone to mean some temple. One could argue that the word then becomes a pronoun, but it still differs from aliquid, which means something.)
In either way the word is used, its implication is sometimes some as opposed to none; in other words, it stresses the existence of (at least) some X (or at least one person or thing of a specified type).
These words decline mostly like quis/quid and quī/quae/quod, just with a prefix added (ali –). But note two exceptions: the feminine nominative singular and the neuter nominative/accusative plural forms are usually aliqua (rather than aliquae).
The endings of aliquis/aliqua/aliquid and aliquī/aliqua/aliquod differ form one another only in the masculine nominative singular (aliquis vs. aliquī) and neuter nominative/accusative singular forms (aliquid vs. aliquod). But those forms are very common ones, so the difference outlined in the first paragraphs of this entry is worth understanding.
Alas, there are a couple of minor complications. Occasionally each of those words gets used like the other. Sometimes the masculine form aliquis (usually a pronoun meaning someone) acts as an adjective meaning some (+ masculine noun), as aliquī would. And aliquī/aliqua/aliquod occasionally serves as a pronoun meaning someone/something.
The neuter pronoun aliquid occurs mostly in the nominative and accusative singular. Forms of aliqua rēs often supply the other cases. So of something = alicuius reī; to something = alicui reī; by something = aliquā rē. But exceptions occur; so e. g. , aliquō could still mean by something in the right context, and so on.
Illustrations of aliquis/aliqua/aliquid (pron.): someone, something; anyone, anything:
Contumeliam
tibi
fecit
aliquis. —Seneca, On Anger 3.38.1
Translation
Someone, perhaps, has offered you an insult.
More literally: Someone has made an insult to you.
Details
Contumēliam
is the accusative singular form of contumēlia, contumēliae (1f): insult, affront, humiliation. Tibi
is the dative form of tū: you (to you). Fēcit
is the third person singular perfect form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make (contumēliam facere = to insult (lit. , to make an insult); Cicero disapproved of
contumēliam facere
as an expression (“who talks like that?” —Philippics 3.22), but it was not uncommon). Aliquis
/aliqua/aliquid (pron.): someone, something; anyone, anything.
Inter
haec
tamen
aliquis
non
gemuit. —Seneca, Epistles 78.19
Translation
Yet there have been men who have not uttered a moan amid these tortures.
More literally: Yet during these things someone did not groan.
Details
Inter
(prep.): among; between; during (takes accusative). Haec
is the neuter accusative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it (these things). Tamen
(adv.): nevertheless, yet, still. Aliquis/
aliqua/aliquid (pron.): someone, something; anyone, anything. Nōn: not. Gemuit
is the third person singular perfect form of gemō, gemere, gemuī, gemitum (3): to sigh, groan.
Perit
aliqua
cum
viro, perit
aliqua
pro
viro. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 2.2.11
Translation
Women have perished with their husbands, women have perished for them.
More literally: Some woman has perished with (her) husband, some woman has perished for (her) husband.
Details
Perīt
(a contraction of
periit) is the third person singular perfect form of pereō, perīre, periī, peritum (irreg.): to disappear; perish, die (or it could be the present tense
perit). Aliquis/
aliqua
/aliquid (pron.): someone, something (in the feminine: some female one, some woman); anyone, anything. Cum
(prep.): with (takes ablative). Virō
is the ablative singular form of vir, virī (2m): man; husband. Prō
(prep.): in front of, before; instead of, in place of; for (takes ablative).
Est
aliquid
quo
sapiens
antecedat
deum. —Seneca, Epistles 53.11
Translation
There is one point in which the sage has an advantage over the god.
More literally: There is something by which the sage surpasses God.
Details
(He goes on: It is by a gift of nature that God is without fear; the sage gives that same gift to himself.)
Est: there is. Aliquis/aliqua/
aliquid
(pron.): someone, something; anyone, anything. Quō
is the m/n ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Sapiēns, sapientis (3m): wise man, sage. Antecēdat
is the third person singular subjunctive form of antecēdō, antecēdere, antecessī, antecessum (3): to precede; surpass (subjunctive because it’s in a relative clause of characteristic). Deum
is the accusative singular form of deus, deī (2m, irreg.): god, deity.
Finge
aliquem
nunc
fieri
sapientem, nondum
esse. —Cicero, Lucullus 117
Translation
Imagine that somebody is becoming a wise man now, but is not one yet.
More literally: Imagine someone now to be becoming a wise man, not yet to be.
Details
Finge
is the singular imperative form of fingō, fingere, fīnxī, fictum (3): to shape; create; invent; imagine. Aliquem
is the masculine accusative singular form of aliquis/aliqua/aliquid (pron.): someone, something; anyone, anything. Nunc
(adv.): now; as it is. Fīō, fierī, —, — (irreg.): to be done; be made; become; happen. Sapientem
is the accusative singular form of sapiēns, sapientis (3m): wise man, sage. Nōndum
(adv.): not yet. Esse: to be.
Agatur
aliquid. —Seneca, Epistles 117.25
Translation
Do something!
(Chicago:) Get something done!
More literally: Let something be done!
Details
Agātur
is the third person singular passive subjunctive form of agō, agere, ēgī, āctum (3): to drive, put in motion; do, perform; act (subjunctive because it’s jussive). Aliquis/aliqua/
aliquid
(pron.): someone, something; anyone, anything.
Aliquid can go with a partitive genitive to mean roughly something in the way of or some amount of (simply some can be a sufficient translation). Indeed, this can be done with all neuter pronouns; examples are given in the relevant entries.
Quibusdam
ex
iis
tribuitur
aliquid
honoris, quibusdam
multum. —Seneca, On the Happy Life 22.4
Translation
To some of them some honor is granted, to others much.
More literally: To some of them something of honor is granted, to some much.
Details
(He’s talking about the Stoic view of things that are morally indifferent but still preferred.)
Quibusdam
is the m/f/n (here n; he’s talking about things) dative plural form of quīdam/quaedam/quiddam (pron.): someone, something, a certain one; (in pl.) some (people), some things. Ex
/ē (prep.): from, out of; of (takes ablative). Iīs
is the m/f/n (here n) ablative plural form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Tribuitur
is the third person singular passive form of tribuō, tribuere, tribuī, tribūtum (3): to grant, bestow. Aliquis/aliqua/
aliquid
(pron.): someone, something; anyone, anything. Honor, honōris
(3m): high esteem or rank accorded to superior worth or rank; honor; office. Multum, multī (2n): a large amount, much, a lot.
An example of the masculine form aliquis used as an adjective (which god? some god):
Deus
respiciet
nos
aliquis. —Plautus, Bacchides 638a
Translation
Some god will look after us.
Details
Deus, deī (2m, irreg.): god. Respiciet
is the third person singular future form of respiciō, respicere, respexī, respectum (3, –iō): to look back (at); look to; consider, turn attention to. Nōs
is the accusative form of nōs: we (us). Aliquis
/aliqua/aliquid (pron.): someone, something; anyone, anything; (masculine form used adjectivally) some.
The neuter accusative singular from aliquid is sometimes used adverbially with the meaning in some respect, to some extent, somewhat, a little.
Nos
aliquid
Rutulos
contra
iuvisse
nefandum
est? —Virgil, Aeneid 10.84
Translation
That we in turn have given some aid to the Rutuli, is that monstrous?
More literally: Us in turn to have aided (i.e., that we in turn have aided) the Rutuli somewhat, is that wicked?
Details
Nōs
is the accusative form of nōs: we (us). Aliquid
is the neuter accusative singular form of aliquis/aliqua/aliquid (pron.): someone, something; anyone, anything; n. acc. sing. used adverbially: in some respect, to some extent, somewhat, a little. Rutulōs
is the masculine accusative plural form of Rutulus/Rutula/Rutulum (1/2): Rutulian, belonging to the Rutuli; (in pl.) the Rutuli, an Italian people who fought against the Trojans in the
Aeneid. Contrā
(adv.): on the other side; against one, opposite; to the contrary; in response; in turn. Iūvisse
is the perfect infinitive form of iuvō, iuvāre, iūvī, iūtum (1): to help, aid, assist; benefit, avail; delight, gratify, please. Nefandus/nefanda/
nefandum
(1/2): impious, wicked, abominable. Est: is it.
Illustrations of aliquī/aliqua/aliquod (adj.): some, a certain, a(n); any.
Erumpet, occupabit
aliquem
locum, bellum
patriae
faciet. —Cicero, In Defense of Milo 63
Translation
He will break loose, he will seize some post of vantage, he will make war upon his country!
More literally: He will break out, he will seize some place, he will make war on the fatherland!
Details
Ērumpet
is the third person singular future form of ērumpō, ērumpere, ērūpī, ēruptum (3): to break out. Occupābit
is the third person singular future form of occupō, occupāre, occupāvī, occupātum (1): to occupy; seize. Aliquem
is the masculine accusative singular form of aliquī/aliqua/aliquod (adj.): some, a certain, a(n); any. Locum
is the accusative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place. Bellum
is the accusative singular form of bellum, bellī (2n): war. Patriae
is the dative singular form of patria, patriae (1f): country, fatherland. Faciet
is the third person singular future form of form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Aliquem
here could also be a form of
aliquis/aliqua/aliquid
—the masculine used adjectivally. It doesn’t make any practical difference since both the form and the meaning are the same either way. It makes sense to consider the adjective as from
aliquī
by default.
Aliquo, inquam, incommodo
afflatur. —Seneca, Epistles 72.5
Translation
Some trouble, I repeat, may touch him like a breath of wind.
(Chicago:) Yes, he feels the winds of adversity.
More literally: He is blown on (touched lightly), I say, by some misfortune.
Details
(But nothing invades the spirit of the sage.)
Aliquō
is the m/n ablative singular form of aliquī/aliqua/aliquod (adj.): some, a certain, a(n); any. Inquam
(irreg. and defective): to say. Incommodō
is the ablative singular form of incommodum, incommodī (2n): harm, inconvenience, misfortune. Afflātur
is the third person singular passive form of afflō, afflāre, afflāvī, afflātum (1): to blow (on), breathe (on); touch lightly, graze.
Errasti
aliqua
in
re. —Cicero, In Defense of Murena 62
Translation
You made a slip.
More literally: You erred in some matter.
Details
Errāstī
is the second person singular perfect form of errō, errāre, errāvī, erratum (1): to err; wander; go astray (a syncopated form of
errāvistī). Aliquā
is the feminine ablative singular form of aliquī/aliqua/aliquod (adj.): some, a certain, a(n); any. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Rē
is the ablative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair.
Cupio
aliquos
parere
amicos
beneficio
meo. —Terence, The Eunuch 149
Translation
I’m keen to gain some friends by doing a good turn of my own.
More literally: I wish to gain some friends by my kindness.
Details
Cupiō, cupere, cupīvī/cupiī, cupītum (3, –iō): to long (for), wish, want, desire. Aliquōs
is the masculine accusative plural form of aliquī/aliqua/aliquod (adj.): some, a certain, a(n); any. Pariō, parere, peperī, partum (3, –iō): to give birth to; beget; gain, acquire. Amīcōs
is the accusative plural form of amīcus, amīcī (2m): friend. Beneficiō
is the ablative singular form of beneficium, beneficiī (2n): a kindness, service, benefit. Meō
is the m/n ablative singular form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine.
In some contexts Latin drops the ali- prefix from aliquis/aliqua/aliquid and aliquī/aliqua/aliquod. The forms quis/qua/quid and quī/qua/quod are used instead. (The qua in those nominative forms just shown can also be quae.) This shortening happens especially often after sī, nisi, num, and nē. So sī quis typically means if anyone. Sī quid = if anything. Nisi quis = unless someone. Nē quid = so that not anything (or lest anything). Num quis = does anyone? or whether anyone. And so on. Understanding these points is important to avoid confusion, because forms like quis, quid, quī, quod, etc. are so often also used as interrogative and relative pronouns and adjectives (who, what, which, that).
Fac, si
quid
facis. —Seneca, On Benefits 2.5.2
Translation
If you are going to do anything, do it.
More literally: If you are doing anything, do (it).
Details
(An impatient outburst toward someone who’s slow to act.)
Fac
is the singular imperative form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Sī
(conj.): if. Quid
is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/qua/quid (indef. pron.): someone, something; anyone, anything (replacing
aliquis/aliqua/aliquid
in some contexts). Facis
is the second person singular form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.
Num
quis
negat? —Cicero, In Defense of Cluentius 65
Translation
Details
Num
(interrog. particle): creates a question, often with the expected answer
no: is it possible? surely not? Quis
/qua/quid (indef. pron.): someone, something; anyone, anything (replacing
aliquis/aliqua/aliquid
in some contexts). Negat
is the third person singular form of negō, negāre, negāvī, negātum (1): to deny, say that not; refuse; say no.
Timui, ne
quem
ex
meis
viderem. —Quintilian, Minor Declamations 6.18
Translation
I was afraid I might see one of my kin.
More literally: I feared lest I might see someone of mine.
Details
Timeō, timēre, timuī, — (2): to fear, be afraid. Nē
(conj. , with subjunctive): lest, that not (in a fear clause, that). Quem
is the masculine accusative singular form of quis/qua/quid (indef. pron.): someone, something; anyone, anything (replacing
aliquis/aliqua/aliquid
in some contexts). Ex
/ē (prep.): out of, from (takes the ablative). Meīs
is the m/f/n (here m) ablative plural form of meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. Vidērem
is the first person singular imperfect subjunctive form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see.
Si
quod
est
crimen, meum
est. —Seneca, Medea 1004
Translation
If there is any guilt, it is mine.
Details
Sī
(conj.): if. Quī/qua/
quod
(indef. adj.): any (replacing
aliquī/aliqua/aliquod
in some contexts). Est: there is. Crīmen, crīminis (3n): charge, accusation; crime; fault, guilt, matter for accusation or blame. Meus/mea/
meum
(1/2): my, mine. Est: there is.
Aliquō can be the m/n ablative singular form of aliquis/aliqua/aliquid or aliquī/aliqua/aliquod. But it can also be an adverb meaning somewhere (with motion), to some place —or, figuratively, to some object or purpose.
Omnis
itaque
labor
aliquo
referatur, aliquo
respiciat. —Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind 12.5
Translation
(Chicago:) And so let all your effort be directed to some purpose, and let it be focused somewhere.
More literally: And so let all the work be directed to some place, let it look to some place.
Details
(Instead of doing things for the sake of seeming to be doing something.)
Omnis
/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Itaque
(adv.) and so, therefore. Labor, labōris (3m): labor, work. Aliquō
(adv.): somewhere (with motion), to some place; to some object or purpose. Referātur
is the third person singular passive subjunctive form of referō, referre, rettulī, relātum (3, irreg.): to bring back, give back, return; (re)direct; apply; refer, ascribe. Respiciat
is the third person singular subjunctive form of respiciō, respicere, respexī, respectum (3, –iō): to look back (at); look to; consider, turn attention to.
The feminine ablative singular form aliquā is occasionally used as an adverb meaning by some way or in some way, by some means. (The adverbial use arose from an ellipsis of the noun viā.)
Vereorque
ne
uxor
aliqua
hoc
resciscat
mea. —Terence, Phormio 585
Translation
And I’m afraid that my wife may find this out by some means.
Details
Vereorque: vereor, verērī, veritus sum (2, deponent): to revere, have respect for; fear (the enclitic conjunction –
que
adds
and). Nē
(conj. , with subjunctive): lest, that not (in a fear clause, that). Uxor, uxōris (3f): wife. Aliquā
(adv.): in some way, by some means. Hoc
is the neuter accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Rescīscat
is the third person singular subjunctive form of rescīscō, rescīscere, rescīvī/resciī, rescītum (3): to learn, find out. Meus/
mea
/meum (1/2): my, mine.
These adverbs also have shorter forms, quō and quā, used under the same circumstances as the shorter forms of aliquis/aliqua/aliquid and aliquī/aliqua/aliquod (indeed, most ali – words have short counterparts like these). But quō and quā also have other (relative and interrogative) meanings. See their individual entries.
Ego
Ego (pron.): I, me—the first person singular personal pronoun. The o is sometimes long, but more often short.
Ego
me
defendere
debeo? —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 1.4.8
Translation
Ought I to defend myself?
Details
Ego: I. Mē
is the accusative form of ego: I (me, myself). Dēfendō, dēfendere, dēfendī, dēfēnsum (3): to defend. Dēbeō, dēbēre, dēbuī, dēbitum (2): to owe; ought.
Nihil
enim
contra
me
fecit
odio
mei. —Cicero, On the Responses of the Haruspices 5
Translation
He did nothing from hatred of me.
More literally: For he did nothing against me from hatred of me.
Details
Nihil
(n, indeclinable, nom. or acc. only—here acc.): nothing. Enim
(particle): for. Contrā
(prep.): against, opposite (takes the accusative). Mē
is the accusative form of ego: I (me). Fēcit
is the third person singular perfect form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Odiō
is the ablative singular form of odium, odiī (2n): hatred, odium. Meī
is the genitive form of ego: I (of me).
Ipse
mihi
dico. —Seneca, Epistles 119.1
Translation
(Chicago:) I say it to myself.
More literally: I myself say it to me.
Details
Ipse
/ipsa/ipsum (pron. or adj.): himself/herself/itself/myself/etc. ; in person; the very. Mihi
is the dative form of of ego: I (to me). Dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say.
Hoc
tibi
de
me
recipe. —Seneca, Epistles 54.7
Translation
Accept this assurance from me.
More literally: Accept this to you from me.
Details
Hoc
is the neuter accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Tibi
is the dative form of tū: you (to you). Dē
(prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes ablative). Mē
is the ablative form of of ego: I (me). Recipe
is the singular imperative form of recipiō, recipere, recēpī, receptum (3, –iō): to take back; receive, accept.
Note that the genitive forms of personal pronouns aren’t used to describe possession. That role is filled by possessive adjectives such as meus/mea/meum (1/2): my, mine. The genitive forms of personal pronouns occur in other uses of the genitive (for example the objective genitive, as in the second illustration of this entry). See Chapter 34 of The Latin Tamer for details.
Here as with other personal pronouns, with me is expressed by sticking the preposition cum at the end of the ablative form—i.e., mēcum rather than cum mē.
Hic/haec/hoc
Hic/haec/hoc (pron. and adj.): this (in the plural, these); he, she, it (in the plural, they). These words can serve as pronouns or as adjectives, just like this in English. This is yours —a pronoun; it replaces a noun. This dog bites —an adjective, because this modifies dog; it specifies which dog.
Broadly speaking, hic/haec/hoc refers to things close to the speaker in one way or another—e. g. , this thing of mine or this thing next to me, though the meaning isn’t always so concrete — or to people or things that the speaker has just mentioned or is about to specify. For this reason it is sometimes called the demonstrative of the first person. (Compare iste and ille, the demonstratives of the second and third person respectively.) The addition of a word to this or these is sometimes necessary in English translation when Latin has a form of hic/haec/hoc alone—for example this one, this person, these things. And sometimes hic/haec/hoc can be translated more loosely as he, she, it or (in the plural) they (or him, her, them, etc.). A genitive form can be translated as his, her(s), its or their(s).
Suffecit
ille
huic
sarcinae. —Seneca, Consolation to Polybius 3.2
Translation
He was equal to this burden.
(Chicago:) He was strong enough to bear the load.
Details
Suffēcit
is the third person singular perfect form of sufficiō, sufficere, suffēcī, suffectum (3, –iō): to supply; appoint; suffice; be adequate; be equal (to a task or the like). Ille
/illa/illud (pron.): that; he, she, it. Huic
is the m/f/n dative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Sarcinae
is the dative singular form of sarcina, sarcinae (1f): bundle, luggage; burden, load.
Hanc
ratio
observat, hanc
consulit. —Seneca, On the Happy Life 8. 1
Translation
(Chicago:) It is nature that reason looks to and consults.
More literally: Reason observes her, consults her.
Details
(Speaking of nātūra, nātūrae (1f): nature.)
Hanc
is the feminine accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Ratiō, ratiōnis (3f): reason; method; calculation. Observat
is the third person singular form of observō, observāre, observāvī, observātum (1): to observe, watch; notice; abide by. Cōnsulit
is the third person singular form of cōnsulō, cōnsulere, cōnsuluī, cōnsultum (3): to consult; give thought to.
Patres
hi
quos
videtis
iacebant
in
limine. —Cicero, Against Verres 2.5.118
Translation
The fathers—you see them here in court—lay crouched in the doorway.
More literally: These fathers whom you see were lying in the doorway.
Details
Patrēs
is the nominative plural form of pater, patris (3m): father. Hī
is the masculine nominative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Quōs
is the masculine accusative plural form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Vidētis
is the second person plural form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see. Iacēbant
is the third person plural imperfect form of iaceō, iacēre, iacuī, iacitum (2): to lie (in a certain place or state), be in a recumbent position; lie overthrown, be laid low. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Līmine
is the ablative singular form of līmen, līminis (3n): threshold, doorway.
A form of hic/haec/hoc paired with a form of ille/illa/illud can mean one. . . another (or some. . . others in the plural).
Alios
in
aliud
irritat, hos
in
potentiam, illos
in
luxuriam. —Seneca, Epistles 36.1
Translation
(Chicago:) It goads people in different directions—some toward power, others toward self-indulgence.
More literally: It provokes different (people) into a different (thing)—these into power, those into luxury.
Details
(He’s talking about prosperity.)
Aliōs
is the masculine accusative plural form of alius/alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): other, another; different. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Aliud
is the neuter accusative singular form of alius/alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): other, another; different. . Irrītat
is the third person singular form of irrītō, irrītāre, irrītāvī, irrītātum (1): to excite, provoke; irritate. Hōs
is the masculine accusative plural plural form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Potentiam
is the accusative singular form of potentia, potentiae (1f): power. Illōs
is the masculine accusative plural form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that; he, she, it. Luxuriam
is the accusative singular form of luxuria, luxuriae (1f): luxury, extravagance.
A form of hic/haec/hoc can anticipate a substantive clause that follows. A substantive clause is often an ut clause, a nē clause, a quod clause, an accusative-and-infinitive clause, or an indirect question. In practical terms these combinations give us wording such as (more or less literally) this matters, (namely) that you be present or this worries me, that he doesn’t respond. These constructions are often translated into English in less literal ways—e. g. , the important thing is that you be present or what worries me is that he doesn’t respond.
If a form of hic/haec/hoc stands on its own in serving this kind of function, it’s neuter. Other pronouns can be used in a similar way, too—especially id, istud and illud. Examples can be seen in the entries on those words.
Hoc
agamus, ne
quis
quicquam
habeat. —Suetonius, Life of Nero 32.4
Translation
Let us see to it that no one possess anything.
More literally: Let us work at this, that no one have anything.
Details
Hoc
is the neuter accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Agāmus
is the first person plural subjunctive form of agō, agere, ēgī, āctum (3): to drive, put in motion; do, perform, deal with, work at, be engaged in; achieve. Nē
(conj. , with subjunctive): lest, that not. Quis
/qua/quid (indef. pron.): someone, something; anyone, anything (it replaces
aliquis/aliqua/aliquid
in some contexts, especially after
sī, nisi, num
and
nē). Quicquam
is the neuter accusative form of quisquam/quicquam (pron.): anyone, anything. Habeat
is the third person singular subjunctive form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have.
A noun phrase can anticipate a clause in the same way. If hic/haec/hoc is used in that situation, it naturally agrees with whatever noun is involved. For example, hāc condiciōne ībō, ut et tū eās = I’ll go on condition that you go, too. This time hāc is feminine to agree with condiciōne.
One idiom to note. You may be familiar with the abbreviation i.e., , meaning that is (to say), or namely. It comes from Latin id est, which means the same thing. Latin sometimes uses hoc est in that way, too.
Ille/illa/illud
Ille/illa/illud (pron. and adj.): that (in the plural, those); he, she, it (in the plural, they). This is a demonstrative pronoun, and a kind of companion to hic/haec/hoc. Like that word, this one also has “adjectival” uses; in other words, it’s used to say give me that (a pronoun) or give me that book (an adjective).
Sometimes Latin uses a form of ille alone where a word needs to be added in English for the translation to sound correct or natural (e. g. , this one, this man, these things). Ille/illa/illud can also be translated as he or she, etc. In these cases you can view the pronouns as still literally meaning that (or that one) and those, but a different translation reads better in English. In some cases even a simple the can suffice to translate ille/illa/illud (or another demonstrative).
Ille
praescribit. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies (excerpts) 3.4. pr.
Translation
The son brings an objection.
More literally: That (masculine) one objects.
Details
(The previous sentence: A man who has been saved by his son disinherits him. Ille
here means
that (other) one; i.e., not the subject of the previous sentence but the other person recently mentioned. This is among the typical uses of the word.)
Ille
/illa/illud (pron.): that; he, she, it. Praescrībit
is the third person singular form of praescrībō, praescrībere, praescrīpsī, praescrīptum (3): to write (something) at the head (of a document, etc.); prescribe; object (in legal settings).
Illa
aequum
iustumque
composuit. —Seneca, Epistles 95.52
Translation
She established fairness and justice.
Details
(He’s speaking of nature—natura, naturae (1f).) Ille/
illa
/illud (pron.): this; he, she, it. Aequum
is the accusative singular form of aequum, aequī (2n): level ground; that which is fair, fairness, equity (a substantive use of the neuter form of aequus/aequa/aequum (1/2): level; just, fair; tranquil, calm, enduring). Iūstumque: iūstum
is the accusative singular form of iūstum, iūstī (2n): that which is just, justice (a substantive use of iūstus/iūsta/iūstum (1/2): just; lawful; merited; exact) (the enclitic conjunction –
que
adds
and). Composuit
is the third person singular perfect form of compōnō, compōnere, composuī, compositum (3): to compose, arrange, build, establish.
Sed
securus
de
illo
sum. —Seneca, Epistles 98.15
Translation
But I am unconcerned about him.
Details
Sed
(conj.): but. Sēcūrus
/sēcūra/sēcūrum (1/2): unconcerned, untroubled; careless. Dē
(prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes ablative). Illō
is the m/n ablative singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that; he, she, it. Sum: I am.
Quid
esset
illis
beatius? —Seneca, On the Happy Life 20.1
Translation
Who would be more happy than they?
More literally: What. . .
Details
(i.e., than philosophers if they perfectly followed their own advice.) Quis/quis/
quid
(pron.): who? what? Esset
is the third person singular imperfect subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (imperfect subjunctive because it’s present contrary to fact). Illīs
is the m/f/n (here m) ablative plural form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that; he, she, it (the ablative of comparison). Beātior/beātior/
beātius
(3): happier, more happy, more blessed—the comparative form of beātus/beāta/beātum (1/2): happy, blessed.
Vides
illud
mare, illud
flumen, illum
puteum? —Seneca, On Anger 3.15.4
Translation
Do you see that sea, that river, that well?
Details
(Freedom lies at the bottom of it.)
Vidēs
is the second person singular form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see. Illud
is the neuter accusative singular form of ille/illa/illud (adj.): that. Mare
is the accusative singular form of mare, maris (3n): sea. Flūmen
is the accusative singular form of flūmen, flūminis (3n): river. Illum
is the masculine accusative singular form of ille/illa/illud (adj.): that. Puteum
is the accusative singular form of puteus, puteī (2m): a well; pit.
Omnes
illi
qui
te
sibi
advocant
tibi
abducunt. —Seneca, On the Shortness of Life 7.7
Details
All those who summon you to themselves, turn (you) away from your own self. Omnēs
is the m/f nominative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Illī
is the masculine nominative plural form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that; he, she, it. Quī
is the masculine nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Tē
is the accusative form of tū: you. Sibi: to/for themselves—the dative form of the reflexive pronoun. Advocant
is the third person plural form of advocō, advocāre, advocāvī, advocātum (1): to call, summon; call in as a counselor. Tibi: to/for you—the dative form of tū: you. Abdūcunt
is the third person plural form of abdūcō, abdūcere, abdūxī, abductum (3): to lead away, take away, carry off; abduct; entice away.
Ille/illa/illud can (but does not necessarily) have laudatory overtones—along the lines of that (great/well-known) one/man/etc.
Haec
Scipio
ille
non
intellegebat. —Cicero, Against Verres 2.4.98
Translation
A man like Scipio had no understanding of such things.
More literally: That (great) Scipio did not understand these things.
Details
(Cicero is being sarcastic: you think you understand better than the great Scipio did!)
Haec
is the neuter accusative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Scīpiō, Scīpiōnis (3m): Roman cognomen, esp. of Scipio Africanus and others in his family. Ille
/illa/illud (adj.): that; sometimes implying
that/the great/famous. Nōn: not. Intellegēbat
is the third person singular imperfect form of intellegō, intellegere, intellēxī, intellēctum (3): to understand; realize.
Illud or a noun phrase containing a form of ille/illa/illud can anticipate a substantive clause. See the entry on hic/haec/hoc for more discussion of this kind of pattern.
Illud
quaero
peregrinum
cur
me
esse
dixeris. —Cicero, In Defense of Sulla 22
Translation
I do ask why you said that I was a foreigner.
More literally: I ask that, why you said me to be a foreigner.
Details
Illud
is the neuter accusative singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that; he, she, it. Quaerō, quaerere, quaesīvī/quaesiī, quaesītum (3): to ask; seek. Peregrīnum
is the m/n accusative singular form of peregrīnus/peregrīna/peregrīnum (1/2): foreign; (used substantively) foreigner. Cūr
(interrog. adv.): why? Mē
is the accusative form of ego: I. Esse: to be. Dīxerīs
is the second person singular perfect subjunctive form of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question).
A form of ille/illa/illud can be paired with a form of hic/haec/hoc to mean one. . . another or (in the plural) some. . . others. The form of hic/haec/hoc often comes first; e. g. , hic rīdet, ille plōrat = this one laughs, that one cries; one person laughs, another cries. An example from the literature can be found in the hic/haec/hoc entry.
Ipse/ipsa/ipsum
Ipse/ipsa/ipsum (pron. and adj): himself/herself/itself/oneself/myself/etc. ; in person; the very; the actual. Or, when a pronoun: he himself, she herself, it itself, they themselves; he in person, she in person, etc. ; that very person or thing.
Ipse/ipsa/ipsum must be distinguished from sē. Although both words can have similar translations (himself, herself, itself, themselves) they play very different roles. To summarize:
— Sē is a reflexive pronoun meaning himself, herself, themselves, etc. That means it’s used when the subject acts upon itself; e. g. , sē in speculō videt = he sees himself in the mirror. Sē only belongs to the third person; I see myself in the mirror would be mē in speculō videō; you see yourself in the mirror would be tē in speculō vidēs; and so on.
— Ipse/ipsa/ipsum, by contrast, is an intensive himself, herself, etc. It’s used to stress the identity of a person or thing. Ipse fēcit = he did (it) himself, or he himself did it. Unlike sē, ipse/ipsa/ipsum can have reference to any grammatical person; so you can also say ipse fēcī(I did it myself), ipse fēcistī(you did it yourself), etc.
The reflexive and intensive uses of himself etc. are rarely found together in English, because it would result in awkward repetitions such as he himself saw himself in the mirror. Latin doesn’t have that problem, since it uses a different word for each meaning of himself (etc.). So in Latin it isn’t rare to find wordings such as ipse sē in speculō videt —literally he himself sees himself in the mirror, but it can simply be rendered as he sees himself in the mirror. Or again sē ipsum in speculō videt = literally he sees himself himself in the mirror. That can be rendered as he sees his very self, or simply himself, in the mirror. The version with ipse stresses the subject: he himself is the one who sees. The one with ipsum stresses the object: he himself is the one whom he sees. In such sentences, the word ipse/ipsa/ipsum is only added for emphasis.
Ipse se
prodit. —Seneca, Epistles 10.2
Translation
Details
Ipse
/ipsa/ipsum (pron. or adj.): himself/herself/itself/oneself/myself/etc. ; in person; the very; the actual. Sē: himself—the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun. Prōdit
is the third person singular form of prōdō, prōdere, prōdidī, prōditum (3): to betray; reveal; produce; propagate. (Notice the emphatic role of
ipse. The sentence would still be grammatically correct without it, and it would translate the same way. But
ipse
emphasizes the subject: he does it himself.)
Ipsa
enim
se
felicitas, nisi
temperatur, premit. —Seneca, Epistles 74.18
Translation
For prosperity of itself, if uncontrolled by reason, overwhelms itself.
More literally: For good fortune of itself, unless it’s moderated, overwhelms itself.
Details
Ipse/
ipsa
/ipsum (pron. or adj.): himself/herself/itself/oneself/myself/etc. ; in person; the very; the actual (nominative forms can sometimes be translated non-literally as
by himself, of itself, etc. , when the point is that the subject itself acts without external intervention). Enim
(particle): for, indeed. Sē: itself—the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun. Fēlīcitās, fēlīcitātis (3f): happiness, good fortune. Nisi
(conj.): unless, if not; except. Temperātur
is the third person singular passive form of temperō, temperāre, temperāvī, temperātum (1): to restrain, temper, moderate, regulate. Premit
is the third person singular form of premō, premere, pressī, pressum (3): to press, compress; crush; overwhelm; pursue.
Intra
nos
est, in
visceribus
ipsis
sedet. —Seneca, Epistles 50.4
Translation
It is within us, situated in our very vitals.
Details
(i.e., the evil that afflicts us.)
Intrā
(prep.): within, inside (takes accusative). Nōs
is the accusative form of nōs: we (us). Est: it is. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Vīsceribus
is the ablative plural form of vīscus, vīsceris (3n, usually plural): internal organs; inmost part. Ipsīs
is the m/f/n ablative plural form of ipse/ipsa/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/oneself/myself/etc. ; in person; the very; the actual. Sedet
is the third person singular form of sedeō, sedēre, sēdī, sessum (2): to sit; lodge; be situated.
Id ipsum is a set phrase meaning it/this/that itself, this/that/the very fact.
Id
ipsum
incredibiliter
gaudeo, a
te
eum
diligi. —Cicero, Letters to Brutus 4.6
Translation
The very fact of your caring for him makes me exceedingly happy.
More literally: I take pleasure extraordinarily in this itself, him to be loved by you.
Details
Id
is the neuter accusative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. . Eum
is the masculine accusative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Ipsum
is the m/n accusative singular form of ipse/ipsa/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/oneself/myself/etc. ; in person; the very; the actual. Incrēdibiliter
(adv.): incredibly, extraordinarily. Gaudeō, gaudēre, gāvīsus sum (2, semi-deponent): to be glad, rejoice, be joyful, take pleasure in. Ab/
ā
(prep.): (away) from; by (takes the ablative). Tē
is the ablative form of tū: you. Dīligī
is the passive infinitive form of dīligō, dīligere, dīlēxī, dīlēctum (3): to esteem, love.
As explained in more detail in Chapter 34 of The Latin Tamer, the reflexive pronoun sē is used in some subordinate clauses to refer back to the subject of the main verb; e. g. , rogat ut pecūnia sibi dētur = he asks that money be given to him(self).
Forms of ipse are sometimes used instead of forms of sē in such clauses, especially when sē could be mistaken to refer to the subject of the subordinate clause. For example, rogat nē aut sē aut ipsum prōdant = he asks that they not betray either themselves or him. (Sē refers to the subject of prōdant, ipsum to the subject of rogat. In a different context, sē could have referred to the latter; but here the two objects had to be distinguished.)
The genitive forms ipsīus, ipsōrum and ipsārum can similarly replace suus/sua/suum to avoid ambiguity. E. g. , Quīntus Mārcum rogat ut domum ipsīus eat = Quintus asks Marcus to go to his (Quintus’s) house. Suam instead of ipsīus would have been grammatically correct, but it could have referred to either Marcus’s or Quintus’s house.
Occasionally ipse is used as a quasi-noun to mean the master or mistress:
Suamque
norat
ipsam
tam
bene
quam
puella
matrem. —Catullus 3.6-7
Translation
And he knew his mistress as well as a girl (knows) her own mother.
Details
Suamque: suam
is the feminine accusative singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2): his (the enclitic conjunction –
que
adds
and). Nōrat
is the third person singular pluperfect form of nōscō, nōscere, nōvī, nōtum (3): (in present-stem forms) to come to know; recognize; (in perfect-stem forms) know (pluperfect forms have the imperfect sense of
knew). Ipsam
is the feminine accusative singular form of ipse/ipsa/ipsum (pron. or adj.): himself/herself/itself/oneself/myself/etc. ; in person; the very; the actual; (used as a noun) the master, the mistress. Tam
(adv.): so, so much, as, to such an extent. Bene
(adv.): well. Quam
(rel. adv.): as; than. Puella, puellae (1f): girl. Mātrem
is the accusative singular form of māter, mātris (3f): mother.
Is/ea/id
Is/ea/id (pron. and adj.): he, she, it (in the plural, they); this (in the plural, these), that (in the plural, those). Like many others of its kind, this word can work either as a pronoun (e. g. , we’ll talk about that) or as an adjective (we’ll talk about that book).
Though classified as a demonstrative adjective/pronoun, is/ea/id isn’t demonstrative in the sense that you can point at something out of the blue and say e. g. , id! Other demonstratives— hic/haec/hoc, ille/illa/illud and iste/ista/istud —can do that, but not is/ea/id. Instead, is/ea/id is used in broadly two ways (note that other demonstratives can be used in similar ways as well):
—It can refer to someone or something that has been mentioned (or strongly implied) shortly before. E. g. , Mārcus advēnit; salūtāvī eum = Marcus arrived; I saluted him.
—Or it can represent someone or something that is defined by a clause. The clause can be a relative clause; e. g. , audiam eum quī mē audierit = I’ll listen to him who listens to me (alternatively: I’ll listen to the one/the person who listens to me). But it can also be a substantive clause such as an ut or nē clause, a quod clause, an accusative-and-infinitive clause, or an indirect question. E. g. , id praecipuum est, ut honestē agāmus = literally this is most important, that we act honorably (i.e., the most important thing is to act honorably). See the entry on hic/haec/hoc for more on this type of pattern with a demonstrative + substantive clause. An example will also be given below.
In addition to the basic definition given at the start (he, she, it; this, that), there are some other ways that is/ea/id can be translated depending on what sounds best in a given context. Possibilities include the one, the person, or simply the. Sometimes, but much less literally, the translation can even be a(n), such a(n), a person. . . Again, we’ll see some examples below.
Examples of is/ea/id referring to someone or something mentioned shortly before.
Is
finis
sanguinis
fuit. —Livy, History of Rome 5.21.1 4
Translation
This ended the slaughter.
More literally: This was the end of the bloodshed.
Details
Is
/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Fīnis, fīnis (3m): end; limit; purpose. Sanguis, sanguinis
(3m): blood; bloodshed. Fuit
is the third person singular perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
Quod
ergo
officium
eius
est? —Seneca, On Mercy 1.14.1
Translation
Details
Quī/quae/
quod
(interrog. pron.): which (one)? what? Ergō
(particle): therefore, then. Officium, officiī (2n): duty; office. Eius
is the m/f/n genitive singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Est: is.
Sed
id
omittamus. —Cicero, Lucullus 78
Translation
But let us drop that point.
More literally: But let’s disregard that.
Details
Sed
(conj.): but. Id
is the neuter accusative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Omittāmus
is the first person plural subjunctive form of omittō, omittere, omīsī, omissum (3): to let go; disregard, omit (subjunctive because it’s hortatory).
Ne
epistulas
quidem
post
eam
horam
legebat. —Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind 17.7
Translation
He would not even read letters after that hour.
Details
Nē
(adv.): not (nē quidem = not even). Epistulās
is the accusative plural form of epistula, epistulae (1f): letter. Quidem
(particle): indeed, certainly. Post
(prep.): after; behind (takes the accusative). Eam
is the feminine accusative singular form of is/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Hōram
is the accusative singular form of hōra, hōrae (1f): hour. Legēbat
is the third person singular imperfect form of legō, legere, lēgī, lectum (3): to read.
Venit
ab
eo
Furnius. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 9.6.6
Translation
Furnius has come from him.
Details
Vēnit
is the third person singular perfect form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come. Ab
/ā (prep.): from; by (takes ablative). Eō
is the m/n ablative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Furnius
/Furnia/Furnium (1/2): a Roman family name.
Comprehendite
eos
vivos. —2 Kings 10:14
Translation
Details
Comprehendite
is the plural imperative form of comprehendō, comprehendere, comprehendī, comprehēnsum (3): to take hold of; capture; comprehend. Eōs: them—the masculine accusative plural form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Vīvōs
is the masculine accusative plural form of vīvus/vīva/vīvum (1/2): living, alive.
Habebit
unusquisque
ex
iis
proprias
dotes. —Seneca, Epistles 79.9
Translation
(Chicago:) Each individual among them will have his own gifts.
More literally: Each one out of them will have particular gifts.
Details
Habēbit
is the third person singular future form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. Ūnusquisque
/ūnaquaeque/ūnumquodque (pron.): each one. Ex
/ē (prep.): from, out of (takes ablative). Iīs
is the m/f/n ablative plural form of is/ea/id (pron.): this; he, she, it. Propriās
is the feminine accusative plural form of proprius/propria/proprium (1/2): (one’s, his, my, etc.) own; particular. Dōtēs
is the accusative plural form of dōs, dōtis (3f): dowry; gift.
Examples of is/ea/id defined by a clause.
Ei
ignoscitur, qui
puniri
debuit. —Seneca, On Mercy 2.7.1
Translation
Pardon is given to a man who ought to be punished.
More literally: It is forgiven to him who ought to be punished.
Details
Eī
is the m/f/n dative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Ignōscitur
is the third person singular passive form of ignōscō, ignōscere, ignōvī, ignōtum (3): to forgive, pardon (the person forgiven goes in the dative) (ignōscitur
here is in the impersonal passive). Quī
/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Pūnīrī
is the passive infinitive form of pūniō, pūnīre, pūnīvī/pūniī, pūnītum (4): to punish. Dēbuit
is the third person singular perfect form of dēbeō, dēbēre, dēbuī, dēbitum (2): to owe; ought.
De
iis
loquamur
vitiis, quae
detestamur
sine
horrore. —Seneca, On Benefits 7.20.4
Translation
Let us talk about those vices that we can detest without shuddering.
Details
(In other words, let’s talk about some vices not quite as horrifying as the case just considered.)
Dē
(prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes the ablative). Iīs
is the m/f/n ablative plural form of is/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Loquāmur
is the first person plural subjunctive form of loquor, loquī, locūtus sum (3, deponent): to speak (subjunctive because it’s hortatory). Vitiīs
is the ablative plural form of vitium, vitiī (2n): fault, vice. Quae
is the neuter accusative plural form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Dētestāmur
is the first person plural subjunctive form of dētestor, dētestārī, dētestātus sum (1, deponent): to curse; abominate, detest. Sine
(prep.): without (takes ablative). Horrōre
is the ablative singular form of horror, horrōris (3m): shaking; terror, horror.
Id
agamus
ut
eum
in
perpetuum
retineamus. —Cicero, Philippics 14.2
Translation
Let us make sure we keep it forever.
More literally: Let us work at it, (namely) that we might keep it forever.
Details
Id
is the neuter accusative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Agāmus
is the first person plural subjunctive form of agō, agere, ēgī, āctum (3): to drive, put in motion; do, perform, deal with, engage in, work at; act. (subjunctive because it’s hortatory). Ut
(conj. , with subjunctive): that, so that. Eum
is the masculine accusative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into; for (in perpetuum = for life;
forever). Perpetuum
is the m/n (here n) accusative singular form of perpetuus/perpetua/perpetuum (2): continuous; permanent, life-long, perpetual. Retineāmus
is the first person plural subjunctive form of retineō, retinēre, retinuī, retentum (2): to hold back; retain, keep.
Whether it’s defined by a clause or not, the neuter form id occasionally takes a partitive genitive. For example, id aurī could mean that (amount)of gold. One context where the pattern occurs regularly is the expression id temporis meaning at that time (literally that of time). (In that phrase, id is an accusative used adverbially.)
Qui
convenit, praesertim
id
temporis? —Cicero, In Defense of Milo 54.9
Translation
Where was the sense of that—at that hour of day too?
More literally: How is it fitting, especially at that time?
Details
Quī
(interrog. adv.): how? Convenit
is the third person singular form of conveniō, convenīre, convēnī, conventum (4): to come together, meet; be suitable, be fitting; be agreed. Praesertim
(adv.): especially, particularly. Id
is the neuter accusative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Tempus, temporis
(3n): time.
In the vast majority of cases, is/ea/id refers to the third person (singular or plural). But occasionally you might see it with reference to the first or second person. The meaning is then, more or less literally, you, that (same) person or we, those (same) people, etc. For example, nōs quī heri flēbāmus, iī hodiē rīdēmus = we who were crying yesterday (we, the same people) are laughing today.
Iste/ista/istud
Iste/ista/istud (pron. and adj.): that, this; he, she, it. Iste/ista/istud is most typically used to refer to something that is near the listener, or belongs to the listener, or that the listener has mentioned, etc. —more or less like that X of yours. But that second-person reference isn’t always clearly present.
Iste/ista/istud sometimes (but not necessarily) carries pejorative undertones— that man. Interestingly, iste was often used by lawyers in court to refer to the opposing party. So a prosecutor would call the defendant iste (and their own client hic). If the prosecutor was addressing the defendant’s advocate, this use of iste had a clear second-person reference: it meant that man whom you’re defending. But the prosecutor might have been addressing someone else (e. g. , the jury). And in either case, given the context, the word had pejorative undertones. It has been speculated that this may have been what led to the pejorative use of the word in other contexts.
Like other similar words, iste/ista/istud can be used as a pronoun (I want that) or as an adjective (I want that book). When it’s used as a pronoun, the translation can be he, she, it, etc. as well as that or this; and sometimes a word needs to be added in English translation (e. g. , that one, that person, those things).
Nostrum
istud, non
naturae
vitium
est. —Seneca, Epistles 22.15
Translation
It is our fault, and not that of Nature.
(Chicago:) The fault rests with us, not with our nature.
More literally: That is our, not nature’s, fault.
Details
Noster/nostra/
nostrum
(1/2): our, ours. Iste/ista/
istud
(pron.): that, this; he, she, it (often with second-person reference: that of yours; sometimes pejorative). Nōn: not. Nātūra, nātūrae
(1f): nature. Vitium, vitiī (2n): vice, fault. Est: is.
Frater
me
isti
reduxit. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies (excerpts) 3.3.1
Translation
My brother brought me back to him.
Details
(That it, to someone else.)
Frāter, frātris (3m): brother. Mē
is the accusative form of ego: I (me). Istī
is the m/f/n dative singular form of iste/ista/istud (pron.): that, this; he, she, it (often with second-person reference: that of yours; sometimes pejorative). Redūxit
is the third person singular perfect form of redūcō, redūcere, redūxī, reductum (3): to bring back; recall.
Istum
mihi
adversarium
adsumam? —Seneca, On Providence 3.3
Translation
Why should I choose that fellow as my adversary?
(Chicago:) Am I to take that man as my adversary?
More literally: Am I to take that (man as) an adversary for me?
Details
Istum
is the masculine accusative singular form of iste/ista/istud (pron.): that, this; he, she, it (often with second-person reference: that of yours; sometimes pejorative). Mihi
is the dative form of ego: I (to/for me). Adversārium
is the accusative singular form of adversārius, adversāriī (2m): adversary. Adsūmam
is the first person singular subjunctive form of adsūmō, adsūmere, adsūmpsī, adsūmptum (3—also
assūmō): to take (with one or for oneself), choose, adopt (it’s a deliberative subjunctive).
Potes
discutere
istam
suspicionem. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 10.1.11
Translation
You can dispel that suspicion.
Details
Potes
is the second person singular form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can. Discutiō, discutere, discussī, discussum (3, –iō): to shatter; shake off or out; scatter; dispel. Istam
is the feminine accusative singular form of iste/ista/istud (adj.): that, this (often with second-person reference: that of yours; sometimes pejorative). Suspīciōnem
is the accusative singular form of suspīciō, suspīciōnis (3f): suspicion; mistrust.
Serva
istud
in
animo
tuo. —Seneca, On Anger 3.40.1
Translation
Keep that well in mind.
More literally: Keep that in your mind.
Details
Servā
is the singular imperative form of servō, servāre, servāvī, servātum (1): to save; protect; keep. Istud
is the neuter accusative singular form of iste/ista/istud (pron.): that, this; he, she, it (often with second-person reference: that of yours; sometimes pejorative). In
(prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Animō
is the ablative singular form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul. Tuō
is the m/n ablative singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours.
Omnes
isti
virilius
peccant. —Seneca, On the Shortness of Life 7.1
Translation
These all sin in more manly fashion.
More literally: . . . more manfully.
Details
(He’s talking about people who seek glory, and preferring them to people who are just focused on their lusts.)
Omnēs
is the m/f nominative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Istī
is the masculine nominative plural form of iste/ista/istud (pron.): that, this; he, she, it (often with second-person reference: that of yours; sometimes pejorative). Virīlius
(adv.): more manfully—the comparative form of virīliter (adv.): manfully. Peccant
is the third person plural form of peccō, peccāre, peccāvī, peccātum (1): to sin, do wrong.
Quid
istorum
cupiditates
demit? —Seneca, Epistles 48.9
Translation
What among these games of yours banishes lust?
More literally: What of these things removes desires?
Details
Quis/quis/
quid
(interrog. pron.): who? what? Istōrum
is the m/n (here n) genitive plural form of iste/ista/istud (pron.): that, this; he, she, it (often with second-person reference: that of yours; sometimes pejorative). Cupiditātēs
is the accusative plural form of cupiditās, cupiditātis (3f): lust, desire, greed. Dēmit
is the third person singular form of dēmō, dēmere, dēmpsī, dēmptum (3): to remove, take away.
Quis
ergo
emet
agros
istos? —Cicero, On the Agrarian Law 1.14
Translation
Who then is going to buy those lands?
Details
Quis
/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Ergō
(particle): therefore, then. Emet
is the third person singular future form of emō, emere, ēmī, ēmptum (3): to buy. Agrōs
is the accusative plural form of ager, agrī (2m): land, farmland, field, territory. Istōs
is the masculine accusative plural form of iste/ista/istud (adj.): that, this (often with second-person reference: that of yours; sometimes pejorative).
Ego
ista
non
quaeram? —Seneca, Epistles 65.20
Translation
(Chicago:) Shall I not ask these things?
Details
Ego: I. Ista
is the neuter accusative plural form of iste/ista/istud (pron.): that, this; he, she, it (often with second-person reference: that of yours; sometimes pejorative). Nōn: not. Quaeram
is the first person singular subjunctive form of quaerō, quaerere, quaesīvī/quaesiī, quaesītum (3): to ask; seek, look for (it’s a deliberative subjunctive).
Si
potes, subduc
te
istis
occupationibus. —Seneca, Epistles 19.1
Translation
If possible, withdraw yourself from all the business of which you speak.
More literally: If you can, withdraw yourself from those occupations.
Details
Sī
(conj.): if. Potes
is the second person singular form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can. Subdūc
is the singular imperative form of subdūcō, subdūcere, subdūxī, subductum (3): to pull up, raise; pull away, take away, withdraw; steal (often with the dative of the thing that something is withdrawn from). Tē
is the accusative form of tū: you. Istīs
is the m/f/n dative plural form of iste/ista/istud (adj.): that, this (often with second-person reference: that of yours; sometimes pejorative). Occupātiōnibus
is the dative plural form of occupātiō, occupātiōnis (3f): occupation, employment.
Nōs
Nōs (pron.): we, us—the first person plural personal pronoun.
Quid
ergo
nos
sumus? —Seneca, Epistles 88.46
Translation
Details
Quis/quis/
quid
(interrog. pron.): who? what? Ergō
(particle): therefore, then. Nōs: we. Sumus: are (we).
Nos
multa
alligant, multa
debilitant. —Seneca, Epistles 59.9
Translation
(Chicago:) As for us, there are many things that bind us, many that sap our strength.
More literally: Many things bind us, many weaken us.
Details
Nōs
is the accusative form of nōs: we (us). Multa
is the neuter nominative plural form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): many, much (many things). Alligant
is the third person plural form of alligō, alligāre, alligāvī, alligātum (1): to bind. Dēbilitant
is the third person plural form of dēbilitō, dēbilitāre, dēbilitāvī, dēbilitātum (1): to debilitate, cripple, weaken. (The phrase
as for us
in the translation gives effect to the emphatic position of
nōs
at the start of the sentence; he’s contrasting our situation with the better posture of the sage, which he’s just discussed.)
Omnia
nobis
mala
solitudo
persuadet. —Seneca, Epistles 25.5
Translation
(Chicago:) Solitude encourages every fault in us.
More literally: Solitude successfully recommends all evils to us/solitude persuades us (to do) all evil things.
Details
Omnia
is the neuter accusative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): every; all. Nōbīs
is the dative form of nōs: we (us). Mala
is the accusative plural form of malum, malī (2n): a bad thing; evil; misfortune, calamity; misdeed. Sōlitūdō, sōlitūdinis (3f): solitude, loneliness; lonely place, desert. Persuādet
is the third person singular form of persuādeō, persuādēre, persuāsī, persuāsum (2): to persuade, prompt, induce, (successfully) recommend (with dative of the person persuaded and accusative of the thing recommended).
Mors
nos
aut
consumit
aut
exuit. —Seneca, Epistles 24.18
Translation
Death either annihilates us or strips us bare.
(Chicago:) Death either consumes us or sets us free.
Details
Mors, mortis (3f): death. Nōs
is the accusative form of nōs: we (us). Aut
(conj.): or (aut. . . aut: either. . . or). Cōnsūmit
is the third person singular form of cōnsūmō, cōnsūmere, cōnsūmpsī, cōnsūmptum (3): to consume; annihilate, kill; exhaust. Aut
(conj.): or. Exuit
is the third person singular form of exuō, exuere, exuī, exūtum (3): to take off (clothes); strip, lay bare; free, release.
Omnium
militum
arma
nobiscum
sunt. —Tacitus, Histories 1.38
Translation
All the armed forces are on our side.
More literally: The weapons of all soldiers are with us.
Details
Omnium
is the m/f/n genitive plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every. Mīlitum
is the genitive plural form of mīles, mīlitis (3m): soldier. Arma, armōrum (2n, plural only): arms, weapons, armor. Nōbīscum: with us (nōbīs = us; cum = with; all personal pronouns are combined with
cum
in this way instead of following it—see
cum
(prep.). Sunt: (they) are.
Nōs has two genitive forms: nostrum and nostrī. Nostrum is the partitive genitive; it’s used when us denotes a group of which some part is mentioned (e. g. , two of us, who of us, none of us).
Nemo
nostrum
credebat. —Cicero, On the Ends of Good and Evil 2.55
Translation
Not one of us believed him.
Details
Nēmō, nēminis (3m): no one. Nostrum: of us—the (partitive) genitive form of nōs: we. Crēdēbat
is the third person singular imperfect form of crēdō, crēdere, crēdidī, crēditum (3): to entrust; lend (money); trust; believe.
Nostrī is used in other contexts, for example as an objective genitive (e. g. , her love of me) or as an object of a verb that takes the genitive. It can also be partitive in contexts other than those mentioned above (e. g. , our legs are a part of us).
Nil
nostri
miserere? —Virgil, Eclogues 2.7
Translation
Have you no pity for us?
More literally: Do you pity us nothing/do you not pity us at all?
Details
Nīl
(contraction of
nihil; n, indeclinable, nom. or acc. only—here acc.): nothing; (accusative used adverbially) in no respect, not at all. Nostrī: of us—the genitive form of nōs: we. Miserēre
is the second person singular passive form of misereō, miserēre, miseruī (or impers. miseritum est) (2): (impersonal) something causes someone to feel pity, one feels pity (the person feeling pity goes in the accusative, and the object of pity goes in the genitive); (personal, rare) to pity, feel pity for (with genitive); (in the passive) to pity, feel pity for (with genitive).
Neither of these genitive forms of nōs is used to describe possession. That job is done by the possessive adjective noster/nostra/nostrum (1/2): our, ours. The same goes for the genitive forms of personal pronouns in general, not just this one; to describe their possession of something, Latin uses adjectives rather than the genitive. (See Chapter 34 of The Latin Tamer for details on the workings of this.)
Nōs —or simply a verb in the first person plural—is sometimes used in reference to a single person; i.e., we stands for I. This is akin to the English “authorial we” (as when an author writes in Chapter 1, we explained. . .) but the Latin version occurs in a greater range of contexts. Translating the nōs literally as we sometimes is awkward, leading translators to render it as I. In classical Latin this use of nōs doesn’t typically correspond to a “royal we”; on the contrary, it can convey a sense of humility or self-depreciation. You can find an example of this usage of nōs in the entry on quisquis/quidquid(superest enim nobis hoc. . .). And you can see examples of first-plural verbs used this way in the entries on ultrā (first illustration) and unde(referimur illuc. . .).
Any noun or adjective etc. referring to a nōs used in this “singular” way goes in the plural, just as it would with a “normal” nōs (exceptions may be found in medieval Latin).
Quī/quae/quod
Quī/quae/quod (interrog. and rel. pron. and adj.): who, which, that, what.
This very common word can be used in a few different ways. Most uses will be illustrated, but a brief explanation in advance may be helpful.
1. The who or what (etc.) can be a relative pronoun. That means the word starts a dependent clause and refers to a noun stated or implied elsewhere in the sentence; that noun is called the antecedent. Here is the book that I mentioned. The word that is a relative pronoun. It starts a dependent clause—“dependent” because the clause can’t stand by itself (that I mentioned isn’t a complete sentence). The word that is a pronoun referring to book —its antecedent. (In English you might leave out the word that. In Latin such a word is always expressed.)
Sometimes a relative pronoun gets used without having such a clear antecedent. That often happens in English with the word what. Example: What is small is beautiful. What is a relative pronoun in that sentence (in another context it could be interrogative; we’ll get to that later). But what is its antecedent? It’s implied, not explicit. Perhaps you could make it clearer with a rewording: That which is small is beautiful. Here the relative pronoun becomes which, and its antecedent is that. Alternatively: A thing that is small is beautiful. Here that is the relative pronoun, and a thing is the antecedent. The omission of antecedents happens much more often in Latin than in English. So for example quī is literally just who, but an antecedent like he can be implied (and added in English translation: he who. . . ).
The kind of analysis just shown isn’t generally a good use of your time when reading English. But it sometimes makes the meaning of a Latin sentence more clear in two ways. First, the word quī/quae/quod will usually agree with its antecedent in number and gender (see Chapter 36 of The Latin Tamer for an exception); so if you’re trying to understand why a specific gender or number has been used, finding the antecedent helps clear that up. But note that the case of the relative pronoun is not determined by the case of its antecedent; it’s determined by the function of the relative pronoun in the dependent clause. Take again the sentence here is the book that I mentioned. It might be put into Latin as ecce liber quem memorāvī. The relative pronoun quem is masculine and singular to match the antecedent liber. But quem is accusative, unlike the nominative liber. That’s because the function of quem in the relative clause is that of a direct object—the direct object of the verb memorāvī.
Second, Latin uses these kinds of pronouns a lot, and sometimes in ways that would seem strained or formal if converted directly into English. Suppose a declaration starts with the word quī. That probably means who, or perhaps which. But in English it’s strange to start a sentence with who or which if you aren’t asking a question. It works better if you make the antecedent clear and start like this, as noted above: He who. . . or That which. . . That’s a formal way to write, but it at least makes grammatical sense.
Sometimes the antecedent gets attracted into the relative clause—so that instead of saying, e. g. , arbor quae nōs umbrābat pīnus erat(the tree that shaded us was a pine) you might say quae nōs arbor umbrābat pīnus erat (literally which tree shaded us was a pine). There the word quī/quae/quod technically becomes a relative adjective (here modifying the noun arbor).
One final note: relative clauses usually go with indicative verbs, but they can take subjunctive verbs in special contexts—such as relative clauses of characteristic (see Chapters 8, 17, 18 and 19 of The Latin Tamer) or to convey a cause, concession, purpose or result (illustrations will be given below). .
2. Quī/quae/quod in Latin, and what and which in English, can also be interrogative adjectives. Example: What time does the race start? Or: I know which horse will win. In those sentences, what and which are adjectives that modify the words that come next. Think of the adjectives as adding specificity or asking for it: The race starts at what time? (This time or that time?) I know which horse—this one, not that one. Words used like what and which in those examples are interrogative adjectives because they ask direct questions (what time does the race start? ) or indirect questions (the clause which horse will win in the sentence I know which horse will win is an indirect version of which horse will win? ). When quī/quae/quod gets used in this way, it agrees with the noun that it modifies in gender, case, and number. (Note that indirect questions usually take a subjunctive verb.)
Sometimes the interrogative quī/quae/quod is used without any explicit noun, but one that’s implicit from the context. It can then be considered a pronoun and is typically translated as which one(s)? or simply which? —sometimes with a couple of other possibilities (see next section).
3. In Latin as in English, there are also interrogative pronouns: Who is coming? What do you think? The words who and what don’t modify anything or refer to any word stated or implied in the context. They’re just standing in for answers that are meant to be given in reply. The general-use interrogative pronoun of this kind isn’t quī/quae/quod. It’s quis/quis/quid. Those two sets of words have mostly the same forms but differ in the nominative singular and the neuter accusative singular. You’ll sometimes see the interrogative quī/quae/quod translated as who or what, too, especially when the question involves a choice between alternatives that have been made clear (making who? or what? fairly equivalent to which one(s)?). See Chapter 37 of The Latin Tamer for a few more details.
Note finally that there’s a variant of the word dealt with in this entry that has a different meaning: quī/qua(e)/quod. It’s treated together with aliquī/aliqua/aliquod.
Relative uses. First, some examples of “simple” relative clauses.
Stultum
facit
Fortuna
quem
vult
perdere. —Publius Syrus, Maxims S.29
Translation
Fortune makes a fool of him whom she would ruin.
More literally: Fortune makes foolish whom she wants to ruin.
Details
Stultum
is the m/n accusative singular form of stultus/stulta/stultum (1/2): foolish, stupid. Facit
is the third person singular form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. Fortūna, fortūnae (1f): fortune, luck; fate. Quem
is the masculine accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what (whom). Vult
is the third person singular form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to wish, want. Perdō, perdere, perdidī (3): to destroy; ruin; lose.
Nemo
dat
quod
non
habet. —legal maxim
Translation
No one gives what he does not have.
Details
(You can’t pass on any better title than you have yourself.)
Nēmō, nēminis (3m): no one. Dat
is the third person singular form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. Quod
is the neuter accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Nōn: not. Habet
is the third person singular form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have.
Quae
fuerant
vitia, mores
sunt. —Seneca, Epistles 39.6
Translation
What once were vices are now habits.
Details
Quae
is the neuter nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Fuerant: (they) had been—the third person plural pluperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Vitia
is the nominative plural form of vitium, vitiī (2n): vice, fault. Mōrēs
is the nominative plural form of mōs, mōris (3m): habit, custom; (in the plural) morals, character. Sunt: (they) are.
When quī/quae/quod is the subject of a relative clause, its verb always matches the person that quī/quae/quod stands for. That can be any person, not just the third; you can have not only the equivalent of he/she who does X or they who do X, but also of I who do X, you who do X, we who do X; and the verb of the relative clause has to match the I, you or we (you can’t say the equivalent of, e. g. , you who does X).
Ego
sum
qui
traducor. —Statius, Silvae 4. pr
Translation
I am the one under fire.
More literally: I am he who is exposed to ridicule/it is I who am exposed to ridicule.
Details
Ego: I. Sum: am. Quī
/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Trādūcor
is the first person singular passive form of trādūcō, trādūcere, trādūxī, trāductum (3): to lead or bring over, transfer; exhibit as a spectacle, expose to public ridicule.
Quis
eras
tu
qui
dedicabas? —Cicero, On His House 127
Translation
Who were you, the dedicator?
More literally: Who were you, who were dedicating?
Details
(He’s talking to Clodius, who had destroyed Cicero’s house and dedicated a shrine there.)
Quis
/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Erās
is the second person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Tū: you. Quī
/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Dēdicābās
is the second person singular imperfect form of dēdicō, dēdicāre, dēdicāvī, dēdicātum (1): to dedicate, consecrate.
An example of quī/quae/quod as a relative adjective:
Tropaeum
posuit
quo
loco
pridie
pugnatum erat. —Cornelius Nepos, Life of Datames 8.4
Translation
He erected a trophy on the spot where he had fought the day before.
More literally: He erected a trophy on which spot it had been fought (i.e., fighting had taken place; the impersonal passive) the day before.
Details
Tropaeum
is the accusative singular form of tropaeum, tropaeī (2n): trophy (a structure made of or decorated with spoils, set up on the place where an enemy had been defeated). Posuit
is the third person singular perfect form of pōnō, pōnere, posuī, positum (3): to place, put, lay, set; set up, erect. Quō
is the m/n ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. adj.): which, what. Locō
is the ablative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place, spot, position. Prīdiē
(adv.): on the day before. Pugnātum erat
is the third person neuter singular pluperfect passive form of pugnō, pugnāre, pugnāvī, pugnātum (1): to fight.
Sometimes a relative pronoun or adjective is used to start a new sentence in a way that would amount to a fragment, or would be otherwise ungrammatical, in English. It’s often best translated non-literally—perhaps with a demonstrative such as this or that or a personal pronoun like he, she, it, etc. , optionally preceded by and or but. A relative used this way is called a connective or connecting relative. (See Chapter 36 of The Latin Tamer for more detail.)
A
quibus
dissentio. —Seneca, Epistles 87.27
Translation
I differ from these men.
More literally: From whom I differ.
Details
Ab/
ā
(prep.): from; by (takes ablative). Quibus
is the m/f/n ablative plural form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what (whom). Dissentiō, dissentīre, dissēnsī, dissēnsum (4): to dissent, disagree, differ.
Cuius
rei
causa
manifesta
est. —Seneca, Natural Questions 1.8.6
Translation
The reason is clear.
More literally: Of which thing the cause is clear.
Details
Cuius
is the m/f/n genitive singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. adj.): which, what. Rēs, reī
(5f): thing. Causa, causae (1f): cause, reason. Manifēstus/
manifēsta
/manifēstum (1/2): clear, visible, obvious, manifest. Est: is.
The neuter ablative singular quō can be used as an ablative of degree of difference followed by a comparative word to convey a meaning like the more. This is often combined with eō, the neuter ablative singular of is/ea/id, with another comparative. Quō + comparative. . . eō + comparative = by which (degree)/in proportion as. . . more. . . , by that (degree). . . more; it can often be translated as the more. . . the more, but in a few other ways as well. For example:
Quo
clarior
erat, eo
magis
anxius
erat. —Sallust, The War with Jugurtha 55.4
Translation
The greater his fame, the more uneasy he was.
More literally: By which degree he was more famous, by that degree more he was troubled.
Details
Quō
is the m/n (here n) ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Clārior
/clārior/clārius (3): brighter; more famous—the comparative form of clārus/clāra/clārum (1/2): clear, bright; famous. Erat: he was—the third person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Eō
is the m/n (here n) ablative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Magis
(adv.): more; rather. Quō. . . eō
with comparatives = the (more). . . the (more). Ānxius
/ānxia/ānxium (1/2): anxious, troubled.
Eō is sometimes left out of this construction or replaced with hōc (the neuter ablative singular of hic/haec/hoc).
The neuter ablative singular quō can also introduce a purpose clause, often (but not always) one that contains a comparative word; e. g. , literally I do X by which ( = quō) I may do Y better = I do X in order to do Y better or I do X, the better to do Y.
Nos
hic
valemus
recte
et
quo
melius
valeamus
operam
dabimus. —Cicero, Letters to Friends 11.23.1
Translation
We are in good shape here and shall try to be in better.
More literally: We are rightly in health here and we shall give effort (i.e., make an effort, apply ourselves) by which (i.e., so that) we may be better in health.
Details
(From Brutus to Cicero.)
Nōs: we. Hīc
(adv.): here. Valēmus
is the first person plural form of valeō, valēre, valuī, valitum (2): to be strong, be well, be in health; be able; be valid, be of effect; be worth. Rēctē
(adv.): rightly, correctly. Et
(conj.) and. Quō
is the m/n (here n) ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Melius
(adv.): better—the comparative form of bene (adv.): well. Valeāmus
is the first person plural form of valeō, valēre, valuī, valitum (2): to be strong, be well, be in health; be able; be valid, be of effect; be worth. Operam
is the accusative singular form of opera, operae (1f): work, effort (operam dare = to make an effort, apply oneself). Dabimus
is the first person plural future form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give. (Note that
quō
doesn’t refer to
operam; the gender doesn’t match. It isn’t
an effort by which. Quō
refers to the whole fact of
operam dare.)
Quō can also mean because of which, referring to a fact just mentioned—more literally from which fact, in consequence of which, etc. —again, often with comparatives.
Quo
magis
cupiebat
eum
Hannibal
opprimi. —Cornelius Nepos, Life of Hannibal 10.3
Translation
For that reason Hannibal was the more eager for his overthrow.
More literally: Because of which, Hannibal wished the more (for) him to be crushed.
Details
(Talking about Eumenes, who had an alliance with Rome.)
Quō
is the m/n (here n) ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what (it works here as a connective relative). Magis
(adv.): more; rather. Cupiēbat
is the third person singular imperfect form of cupiō, cupere, cupīvī/cupiī, cupītum (3, –iō): to long (for), wish, want, desire. Eum
is the masculine accusative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Hannibal, Hannibalis (3m): Hannibal. Opprimī
is the passive infinitive form of opprimō, opprimere, oppressī, oppressum (3): to press down; suppress; overwhelm; crush; overpower.
Quō in the uses just mentioned is often classified as an adverb.
The form quod (neuter nominative or accusative singular) is sometimes found with a partitive genitive.
Quod
inter
Trebiam
Padumque
agri
est
Galli
tum
incolebant. —Livy, History of Rome 21.52.3
Translation
The land that lies between the Trebia and the Po was then inhabited by Gauls.
More literally: What of land is between the Trebia and the Po, the Gauls then inhabited.
Details
Quod
is the neuter accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Inter
(prep.): between; among (takes the accusative). Trebiam
is the accusative singular form of Trebia, Trebiae (1m): river in Northern Italy. Padumque: padum
is the accusative singular form of Padus, Padī (2m): the Po, the longest river in Italy (the enclitic conjunction –
que
adds
and). Ager, agrī
(2m): land, farmland, field, territory. Est: is. Gallī
is the nominative plural form of gallus, gallī (2m): inhabitant of Gaul. Tum
(adv.): then. Incolēbant
is the third person plural imperfect form of incolō, incolere, incoluī, — (3): to inhabit.
Now let’s turn to relative clauses that take subjunctive verbs to convey special meanings.
A relative clause with a subjunctive verb can have a causal or concessive sense, often similar to a cum clause. Then instead of translating quī/quae/quod literally as who or which, etc. , it’s often possible (and might be best) to translate it as since, given that, seeing that, in that (for the causal meaning) or though, although, even though (for the concessive meaning) and add a personal pronoun such as I, me, you, he, him, she, her, etc. , depending on whom the relative pronoun refers to. Again, this will be clearer with examples:
Peccasse
mihi
videor
qui
a
te
discesserim. —Cicero, Letters to Friends 16.1.1
Translation
I feel I did wrong to leave you.
More literally: I seem to me to have done wrong who departed from you.
Details
Peccāsse
is the perfect infinitive form of peccō, peccāre, peccāvī, peccātum (1): to sin, do wrong. Mihi
is the dative form of ego: I (to me). Videor
is the first person singular passive form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see; (in the passive) seem. Quī
/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Ab/
ā
(prep.): (away) from; by (takes the ablative). Tē
is the ablative form of tū: you. Discesserim
is the first person singular perfect subjunctive form of discēdō, discēdere, discessī, discessum (3): to depart (subjunctive because it’s in a causal relative clause).
Qui
luxuriae
immoderatissimae
esset, ter
omnino
per
quattuordecim
annos
languit. —Suetonius, Life of Nero 51.1
Translation
Though indulging in every kind of riotous excess, he was ill but three times in all during the fourteen years of his reign.
More literally: He, who was of most excessive extravagance, fell ill three times in all through fourteen years.
Details
Quī
/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Luxuria, luxuriae
(1f): luxury, extravagance, excess. Immoderātissimae
is the feminine genitive singular form of immoderātissimus/immoderātissima/immoderātissimum (1/2): most/very excessive—the superlative form of immoderātus/immoderāta/immoderātum (1/2): boundless, excessive. Esset
is the third person singular imperfect subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in a concessive relative clause). Ter
(adv.): thrice, three times. Omnīno
(adv.): entirely; in all; at all. Per
(prep.): through, by; during (takes accusative). Quattuordecim
(indeclinable numeral): fourteen. Annōs
is the accusative plural form of annus, annī (2m): year. Languit
is the third person singular perfect form of languēscō, languēscere, languī, — (3): to grow weak; fall ill; droop, wilt; flag.
The subjunctive verb in a relative clause can also express purpose. For example, he sent a servant who might do X = he sent a servant to do X. Or he looked for that which he might eat = he looked for something to eat.
Misit
qui
eam
adducerent. —Hyginus, Fabulae 4.2
Translation
He sent men to fetch her.
More literally: He sent (men) who might bring her.
Details
Mīsit
is the third person singular perfect form of mittō, mittere, mīsī, missum (3): to send; throw. Quī
is the masculine nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Eam
is the feminine accusative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Addūcerent
is the third person plural imperfect subjunctive form of addūcō, addūcere, addūxī, adductum (3): to lead (to a person or place), bring (subjunctive because it’s in a relative clause of purpose).
Da
illi
quod
bibat. —Plautus, The Ghost 344
Translation
Give him something to drink.
More literally: Give him what he might drink.
Details
Dā
is the singular imperative form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give; offer; assign, attribute. Illī
is the m/f/n dative singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that; he, she, it. Quod
is the neuter accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Bibat
is the third person singular subjunctive form of bibō, bibere, bibī, bibitum (3): to drink (subjunctive because it’s in a relative clause of purpose).
And then there’s the relative clause of characteristic. Some of the types of clauses just mentioned could be classified that, but they can be labeled more specifically in the ways shown. Here we’ll focus on relative clauses of characteristic that don’t fall neatly under such precise headings.
Generally speaking, a relative clause of characteristic doesn’t so much tell you about what someone or something does (or undergoes) but rather about what someone/something is prone, able, willing, or expected to do (or undergo). But it can refer to a real event, and the translation can be the same as if the verb were indicative (it doesn’t necessarily involve would or the like).
A few situations where relative clauses of characteristic occur notably often:
1. When one is talking about the existence or otherwise of a person or thing of the type specified by the relative clause. This will often be done with wordings like nēmō est quī. . . (there is no one who. . .), ūnus est quī. . . (there is one who. . .), sunt quī. . . (there are some/those who. . .), nihil erat quod. . . (there was nothing that. . .), quis est quī. . . (who is there who. . .). Such wordings sometimes approach the sense of, e. g. , there is no one to do X, making the relative clause akin to a relative clause of purpose. But it can also be seen as something of a result: there is no one of such a kind that they would do X. Some of the Latin phrases just mentioned may also occur with an indicative verb in the relative clause. But those where the existence of the person or thing is negated (e. g. , nēmō est quī, nihil erat quod, or quis est quī if the speaker implies that the answer is no one) always take the subjunctive, at least classically.
Nullus
adfectus
est
in
quem
non
ira
dominetur. —Seneca, On Anger 2.36.6
Translation
There is no passion over which anger does not hold mastery.
Details
Nūllus
/nūlla/nūllum (1/2, irreg.): no, none, not any; insignificant. Adfectus, adfectūs (4m—also
affectus): emotion, feeling, passion. Est: there is. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into; (in contexts about power, influence and the like) over. Quem
is the masculine accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Nōn: not. Īra, īrae (1f): anger. Dominētur
is the third person singular subjunctive form of dominor, dominārī, dominātus sum (1, deponent): to be in power, hold mastery (subjunctive because it’s in a relative clause of characteristic).
2. When the existence or availability of a person or thing of the stated kind is potential or contingent. For example, the relative clause can denote something that is wished for, intended or required, etc. Suppose I’m looking for someone (anyone) who knows Greek. If I’m saying this in Latin, I’ll put the translation of knows in the subjunctive. Why? Because I’m looking for anyone of that type, and their existence (or presence somewhere near enough for me to find them) is only potential and part of my wish. If I put that same verb in the indicative, the sentence remains grammatically correct but the meaning changes: I’m looking for some specific person who happens to know Greek. (I’m not in any way wishing or intending that the person know Greek; it’s just a fact.)
Ea
enim
vita
expetitur, quae
sit
animi
corporisque
expleta
virtutibus. —Cicero, On the Ends of Good and Evil 5.37
Translation
For the life we desire is one fully equipped with the virtues of mind and body.
More literally: For that life is sought, which is filled up with the virtues of mind and body.
Details
Is/
ea
/id (adj.): this, that. Enim
(particle): for, indeed. Vīta, vītae (1f): life. Expetitur
is the third person singular passive form of expetō, expetere, expetīvī/expetiī, expetītum (3): to ask for; seek (after); desire, wish. Quī/
quae
/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Sit
is the third person singular subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in a relative clause of characteristic). Animus, animī
(2m): mind, soul. Corporisque: corpus, corporis
(3n): body (the enclitic conjunction –
que
adds
and). Explētus/
explēta
/explētum (1/2) is the perfect passive participle (filled up) of expleō, explēre, explēvī, explētum (2): to fill up; complete. Virtūtibus
is the ablative plural form of virtūs, virtūtis (3f): virtue; courage, valor.
3. When a relative clause is linked to one or several adjectives by a word meaning and or but.
Intercessit
res
parva
dictu
sed
quae
studiis
in
magnum
certamen
excesserit. —Livy, History of Rome 34.1.1
Translation
There occurred an event that was insignificant for the record but which led to acrimonious debate with the passions it aroused.
More literally: A thing intervened small in the saying but that, through passions, grew into a great contention.
Details
Intercessit
is the third person singular perfect form of intercēdō, intercēdere, intercessī, intercessum (3): to intervene; interrupt; veto (takes a dative object). Rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair; event. Parvus/
parva
/parvum (1/2): small; unimportant. Dictū
is the ablative supine (to say/in respect to saying) form of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say. Sed
(conj.): but. Quī/
quae
/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Studiīs
is the ablative plural form of studium, studiī (2n): zeal, diligence, devotion, passion, enthusiasm; pursuit; study. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Magnum
is the m/n accusative singular form of magnus/magna/magnum (1/2): great, large; important. Certāmen
is the accusative singular form of
certāmen, certāminis (3n): contest, contention, struggle, fight. Excesserit
is the third person singular perfect subjunctive form of excēdō, excēdere, excessī, excessum (3): to go away, depart, leave; exceed; grow (into something bigger, usually with an idea of excess) (subjunctive because it’s in a relative clause of characteristic).
4. In combination with a form of sum and one of is/ea/is, giving a meaning along the lines of X is not he (i.e., the kind of person) who does/would do X.
Ecquid
habes
cur
placeas
tibi, si
is
es
quem
intellegant
multi? —Seneca, Epistles 7.12
Translation
Have you any reason for being pleased with yourself, if you are a person whom the many can understand?
More literally: Have you anything on account of which you should be pleasing to yourself, if you are he whom many may understand?
Details
Ecquid
is the neuter accusative singular form of ecquis/ecquid (interrog. pron.): whether anyone, whether anything; anyone. . . ? anything. . . ? is there anyone/anything that. . . ? Habēs
is the second person singular form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. Cūr
(rel. adv. , with subjunctive): on account of which, why. Placeās
is the second person singular subjunctive form of placeō, placēre, placuī, placitum (2): to be pleasing, seem good, please, satisfy (takes a dative object). Tibi: to you(rself)—the dative form of tū: you. Sī
(conj.): if. Is
/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Es: you are. Quem
is the masculine accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Intellegant
is the third person singular subjunctive form of intellegō, intellegere, intellēxī, intellēctum (3): to understand; realize (subjunctive because it’s in a relative clause of characteristic). Multī
is the masculine nominative plural form of multus/multa/multum (1/2): much, many.
The relative clause in that setting is rather like a clause of result (X is not of such a kind that he would. . .). A similar pattern occurs with tam (or another word meaning so or the like) and a form of sum, especially in negative contexts. The relative clause here can often be translated in the same way as an ut clause of result.
Nihil
tam
acerbum
est
in
quo
non
aequus
animus
solacium
inveniat. —Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind 10.4
Translation
No state is so bitter that a calm mind cannot find in it some consolation.
More literally: Nothing is so bitter/there is nothing so bitter in which a calm mind may not find consolation.
Details
Nihil
(n, indeclinable, nom. or acc. only—here nom.): nothing. Tam
(adv.): so (much), to such a degree. Acerbus/acerba/
acerbum
(1/2): bitter, harsh. Est: is. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Quō
is the m/n ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Nōn: not. Aequus
/aequa/aequum (1/2): level, even, flat; equal; calm. Animus, animī (2m): mind, soul, spirit. Sōlācium
is the accusative singular form of sōlācium, sōlāciī (2n): comfort, solace, consolation. Inveniat
is the third person singular subjunctive form of inveniō, invenīre, invēnī, inventum (4): to find; invent; discover (subjunctive because it’s in a relative clause of result or characteristic).
Two final notes about the subjunctive and indicative moods in relative clauses:
—General statements of the kind he who ( = whoever) does X, does Y don’t typically involve a relative clause of characteristic. So they take an indicative verb in the relative clause.
—A subjunctive verb in a relative clause doesn’t always mean that the clause is one of the special types mentioned above. The subjunctive can, naturally, also be there for a different reason (e. g. , because the clause is part of a future-less-vivid or contrary-to-fact condition, or because it’s part of indirect speech).
The interrogative quī/quae/quod often works as an adjective directly modifying a noun: what (noun)? which (noun)?
Quo
tempore? —Cicero, In Defense of Quintus Roscius the Comedian 37
Translation
When?
More literally: At what time?
Details
Quō
is the m/n ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Tempore
is the ablative singular form of tempus, temporis (3n): time.
Vos
qui
dolor, quae
ira
incitavit? —Livy, History of Rome 28.29.1
Translation
But you, what resentment, what anger spurred you on?
Details
Vōs
is the accusative form of vōs: you (pl.). Quī
/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Dolor, dolōris (3m): pain, grief, sorrow; resentment, indignation. Quī/
quae
/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Īra, īrae (1f): anger. Incitāvit
is the third person singular perfect form of incitō, incitāre, incitāvī, incitātum (1): urge on, spur on; rouse, stir up, provoke. (The words
but you
have been added in the translation to suggest the emphasis conveyed in Latin by the word order.)
Quod
argentum, quas
tu
mihi
tricas
narras? —Plautus, The Weevil 613
Translation
What money, what nonsense are you telling me about?
Details
(In reply to a demand for the return of money.)
Quod
is the neuter accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Argentum
is the accusative singular form of argentum, argentī (2n): silver; money. Quās
is the feminine accusative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Tū: you. Mihi
is the dative form of ego: I (to me). Trīcās
is the accusative form of trīcae, trīcārum (1f, plural only): subterfuges, tricks; complications; trifles, nonsense. Nārrās
is the second person singular form of nārrō, nārrāre, nārrāvī, nārrātum (1): to narrate, tell (about).
Haec
primum
conclusio
quam
habeat
vim
considera. —Cicero, Lucullus 66
Translation
Consider first the validity of this syllogism.
More literally: First consider what power this syllogism has.
Details
Hic/
haec
/hoc (adj.): this. Prīmum
(adv.): first. Conclūsiō, conclūsiōnis (3f): an enclosing; conclusion; syllogism. Quam
is the feminine accusative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Habeat
is the third person singular subjunctive form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Vim
is the accusative singular form of vīs, vīs (3f, irreg.): power; force; violence; validity; meaning. Cōnsīderā
is the singular imperative form of cōnsīderō, cōnsīderāre, cōnsīderāvī, cōnsīderātum (1): to look at closely; consider, contemplate.
Quī/quae/quod can also be used to ask what something is. Quī/quae/quod then agrees with whatever noun is being asked about. For example, what is this tree? = quae haec arbor est? Quī/quae/quod in this usage can be considered an interrogative pronoun but still has something of an adjective to it.
You might reasonably wonder whether quid can be used in a similar way. To some extent it can. But the nuance would often be different. Quī/quae/quod tends to mean what —implying the relevant noun. For example, quae haec arbor est? means what (tree) is this tree? or what (kind of tree) is this tree? By contrast, quid usually means what thing, not implying any particular noun. So its use in the what is this noun pattern occurs mostly in discussions of general definitions. E. g. , quid est amor? = what is love? —this doesn’t mean what love is love? but what thing is love? But quī/quae/quod is also sometimes found in similar contexts; and quid occasionally occurs where you might expect quī/quae/quod according to the rule of thumb given above (for example, quid tibi nomen est? is a common way of asking what’s your name? ).
Huius
fundamentum
quod
sit
quaeris? —Seneca, Epistles 23.1
Translation
Do you ask what is the foundation of a sound mind?
More literally: You ask what is the foundation of this?
Details
(Not to find joy in useless things.)
Huius
is the m/f/n genitive singular form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Fundāmentum, fundāmentī (2n): foundation. Quī/quae/
quod
(interrog. pron.): which (one)? what? Sit
is the third person singular subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Quaeris
is the second person singular form of quaerō, quaerere, quaesīvī/quaesiī, quaesītum (3): to ask; seek, look for.
Velim
scire
qui
sit
eius
status. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 6.1.23
Translation
I should like to know how he stands.
More literally: I would like to know what his situation is.
Details
Velim
is the first person singular subjunctive form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish (a potential subjunctive, used in the verb
volō
to soften the statement: velim
is to
volō
what
I would like
is to
I want). Sciō, scīre, scīvī/sciī, scītum (4): to know. Quī
/quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)? what? Sit
is the third person singular subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Eius: his/of him—the m/f/n genitive singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Status, statūs (4m): status, state, condition, situation.
The interrogative quī/quae/quod can also stand without a noun and mean which (one/ones)? in reference to a noun previously mentioned or implied.
“Atticos,”
inquit, “volo
imitari.”
Quos? —Cicero, Brutus 285
Translation
“My aim is,” you say, “to imitate Attic models.” Which, pray?
More literally: “I want to imitate the Attics,” he says. Which?
Details
Atticōs
is the masculine accusative plural form of Atticus/Attica/Atticum (1/2): Attic, coming from Attica; Athenian. Inquit
is the third person singular form of inquam (irreg. and defective): to say. Volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish. Imitor, imitārī, imitātus sum (1, deponent): to imitate; copy; represent. Quōs
is the masculine accusative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)?
Like many interrogative words, quī/quae/quod can be used in an exclamatory way; e. g. , what a man!
Quas
tragoedias
efficit! —Cicero, Tusculan Disputations 4.73
Translation
What a tragic air of passion he puts on!
More literally: What tragedies he makes!
Details
Quās
is the feminine accusative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Tragoediās
is the accusative plural form of tragoedia, tragoediae (1f): tragedy (in theater); a mock tragic performance, heroics, histrionics. Efficit
is the third person singular form of efficiō, efficere, effēcī, effectum (3, –iō): to make, produce; bring about, cause; accomplish.
Qui
concursus
ex
oppidis
finitimis
undique, qui
dolor
animorum, quae
querela! —Cicero, In Defense of Flaccus 74
Translation
What a crowd there was from the neighboring towns all around, what indignation, what complaints!
Details
Quī
/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Concursus, concursūs (4m): a running together, gathering of a crowd, concourse. Ex
/ē (prep.): from, out of (takes ablative). Oppidīs
is the ablative plural form of oppidum, oppidī (2n): town. Fīnitimīs
is the m/f/n ablative plural form of fīnitimus/fīnitima/fīnitimum (1/2): neighboring, adjacent. Undique
(adv.): from all sides, from everywhere. Dolor, dolōris (3m): pain, grief, sorrow; resentment, indignation. Animōrum
is the genitive plural form of animus, animī (2m): mind, soul. Querēla, querēlae (1f): a complaining, complaint.
But note that if the focus is on an adjective—e. g. , what a brave man! —you’ll usually find the adverb quam rather than quī/quae/quod. E. g. , quam fortis vir! (Literally how brave a man! )
Quīcumque/quaecumque/quodcumque
Quīcumque/quaecumque/quodcumque (rel. and indef. pron. and adj.): whoever, whatever, anyone who, anything that, any. . . that; anyone, anything, any. This word is made up of quī/quae/quod and the suffix – cumque. The first element declines like the simple quī/quae/quod. The suffix is invariable. So you get the declension quīcumque, cuiuscumque, cuicumque, and so on. (Compare the English whoever and whomever.)
Quīcumque/quaecumque/quodcumque can be used as a pronoun (i.e., on its own like whatever in read whatever you want) or as an adjective (i.e., in combination with a noun as in read whatever book you want).
The most common use of quīcumque/quaecumque/quodcumque is as a relative pronoun or adjective: whatever, whoever, anyone who, anything that, any. . . that. Its case depends on its function in the relative clause. So for example, I listen to whoever speaks is audiō (eum) quīcumque loquitur —not audiō quemcumque loquitur. Quīcumque is nominative because it’s the subject of loquitur; that’s its function in the relative clause. The direct object of audiō can be expressed as the antecedent eum (the masculine accusative singular form of is/ea/id) or can just be left implied or understood to be the whole clause quīcumque loquitur.
Vixit
satis
quicumque
cum
Alcide
occidit. —Anonymous, Hercules on Mount Oeta 924
Translation
Anyone who dies with Alcides has lived long enough.
Details
Vīxit
is the third person singular perfect form of vīvō, vīvere, vīxī, vīctum (3): to live. Satis
(adv.): enough. Quīcumque
/quaecumque/quodcumque (rel. pron.): whoever, whatever, anyone who, anything that. Cum
(prep.): with (takes the ablative). Alcīde
is the ablative singular form of Alcīdēs, Alcīdis (3m): a descendant of Alceus—usually Hercules, whose birth name this was. Occidit
is the third person singular form of occidō, occidere, occidī, occāsum (3): to die; (of heavenly bodies) set.
Vultus
loquitur
quodcumque
tegis. —Anonymous, Hercules on Mount Oeta 705-6
Translation
Your face speaks clearly of what you are hiding.
More literally: Your face speaks whatever you are concealing.
Details
Vultus, vultūs (4m): (facial) expression; face; appearance. Loquitur
is the third person singular form of loquor, loquī, locūtus sum (3, deponent): to speak, talk. Quodcumque
is the neuter accusative singular form of quīcumque/quaecumque/quodcumque (rel. pron.): whoever, whatever, anyone who, anything that. Tegis
is the second person singular form of tegō, tegere, tēxī, tectum (3): to cover; protect; hide, conceal.
Quemcumque
vis
occupa, adulescentem
senem
medium. —Seneca, Epistles 22.14
Translation
(Chicago:) Take anyone you like, young, old, or somewhere in between.
More literally: Take whoever you like, young, old, middle.
Details
(They’re all equally afraid of death and ignorant of life.)
Quemcumque
is the masculine accusative singular form of quīcumque/quaecumque/quodcumque (rel. pron.): whoever, whatever, anyone who, anything that. Vīs
is the second person singular form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish. Occupā
is the singular imperative form of occupō, occupāre, occupāvī, occupātum (1): to occupy; seize, take possession of. Adulēscentem
is the m/f accusative singular form of adulēscēns, adulēscentis (3, adj. and noun): young; young man. Senem
is the m/f accusative singular form of senex, senis (3, adj. and noun): old; old man. Medium
is the m/n accusative singular form of medius/media/medium (1/2): middle.
Quaecumque
aer
creat, brevia
sunt. —Seneca, Natural Questions 7.22.1
Translation
All things the atmosphere creates are short-lived.
Details
Quaecumque
is the neuter accusative plural form of quīcumque/quaecumque/quodcumque (rel. pron.): whoever, whatever, anyone who, anything that. Āēr, āeris (3m): air; atmosphere. Creat
is the third person singular form of creō, creāre, creāvī, creātum (1): to beget; create, make; choose (a person for an office), elect. Brevia
is the neuter nominative plural form of brevis/brevis/breve (3): short, brief; short-lived. Sunt: (they) are.
Quemcumque
dederit
exitum
casus
feram. —Seneca, Phaedra 138
Translation
I will bear whatever outcome chance gives me.
Details
Quemcumque
is the masculine accusative singular form of quīcumque/quaecumque/quodcumque (rel. adj.): whoever, whatever, any. . . that. Dederit
is the third person singular future perfect form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give; assign, attribute. Exitum
is the accusative singular form of exitus, exitūs (4m): the act of going out, departure; exit, way out; outcome, result. Cāsus, cāsūs (4m): fall; chance; event; accident; misfortune; occasion, opportunity. Feram
is the first person singular future form of ferō, ferre, tulī, lātum (3, irreg.): to carry, take, bring, bear; endure; bring forth, produce; get, win, acquire; tell, say, relate.
When quīcumque/quaecumque/quodcumque is the subject of the relative clause, its verb agrees with whatever person quīcumque/quaecumque/quodcumque really stands for. This is sometimes another person than the third. For example, you could address someone with the words quīcumque trānsīs, siste = (hey you,) whoever pass(es) by, stop. The verb trānsīs is in the second person because its subject is the person you’re addressing. (See also quī/quae/quod for examples of similar agreements.)
The neuter nominative/accusative singular form quodcumque sometimes goes with a partitive genitive to mean whatever in the way of X, whatever amount of X, or simply whatever X.
Vos
hortor
ut
quodcumque
militum
contrahere
poteritis
contrahatis. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 8.12a.4
Translation
I urge you on your part to muster all the troops you can.
More literally: You I urge that you muster whatever of soldiers you will be able to muster.
Details
(From a letter of Pompey to the consuls, which Cicero appended a copy of to one of his own letters.)
Vōs
is the accusative form of vōs: you (pl.). Hortor, hortārī, hortātus sum (1, deponent): to urge, exhort, incite, encourage. Ut
(conj. , with subjunctive): that, so that. Quodcumque
is the neuter accusative singular form of quīcumque/quaecumque/quodcumque (rel. pron.): whoever, whatever, anyone who, anything that. Mīlitum
is the genitive plural form of mīles, mīlitis (3m): soldier. Contrahō, contrahere, contrāxī, contractum (3): to draw together, collect, assemble, muster; diminish, shorten. Poteritis
is the second person plural future form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can. Contrahātis
is second person plural subjunctive form of contrahō, contrahere, contrāxī, contractum (3): to draw together, collect, assemble, muster; diminish, shorten.
Quīcumque/quaecumque/quodcumque is sometimes split in two: quī. . . cumque.
Quod
erit
cumque
visum
ages. —Cicero, On the Ends of Good and Evil 4.69
Translation
You will do exactly what seems good to you.
More literally: You will do whatever will have seemed good.
Details
Quīcumque/quaecumque/
quod
(. . . cumque) (rel. pron. , here written as two words): whoever, whatever, anyone who, anything that. Erit: see visum. Cumque: (see
quod). #(see
quod)%
Vīsum
(erit) is the third person neuter singular future perfect passive form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see; (in the passive) seem, appear; seem good. Agēs
is the second person singular future form of agō, agere, ēgī, āctum (3): to drive, put in motion; do, perform, carry out, conduct, engage in; act; plead (a case).
As we said, quīcumque/quaecumque/quodcumque is usually a relative pronoun or adjective. But it’s sometimes also used as an indefinite pronoun or adjective that doesn’t introduce a relative clause. It then means anyone, anything, any —or whatever as in, e. g. , at whatever cost (where whatever means about the same thing as any).
Solvit
enim
quodcumque
vinculum. —Seneca, Natural Questions 6.18.3
Translation
Details
(He’s talking about the force of air, which he argues is the cause of earthquakes.)
Solvit
is the third person singular form of solvō, solvere, solvī, solūtus sum (3): to loosen, untie; release; dissolve. Enim
(particle): for, indeed. Quodcumque
is the neuter accusative singular form of quīcumque/quaecumque/quodcumque (indef. adj.): whatever, any. Vinculum
is the accusative singular form of vinculum, vinculī (2n): bond, chain, rope; instrument by which something is bound.
Quīdam/quaedam/quiddam
Quīdam/quaedam/quiddam (pron.): someone, something, a certain person, a certain thing; quīdam/quaedam/quoddam (adj.): some, a certain, a(n); a kind of. Quīdam/quaedam/quoddam is quī/quae/quod with a suffix, – dam. Quiddam is quid with that same suffix. The suffix is invariable. The first part of the word declines like quī/quae/quod or quid, except than an m usually becomes n before the suffix. So quem, quam, quōrum and quārum + – dam give quendam, quandam, quōrundam and quārundam (but you may still sometimes find quemdam, quamdam etc.).
The pronoun and the adjective decline the same way throughout except in the neuter nominative/accusative singular form: there the pronoun is quiddam while the adjective is quoddam. So something = quiddam but some animal = quoddam animal.
Quidam
se
occidit. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies (excerpts) 8.4. pr
Translation
A man killed himself.
Alt. : Someone/some man killed himself.
Details
Quīdam
/quaedam/quiddam (pron.): someone, something, a certain person, a certain thing. Se: himself—the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun. Occīdit
is the third person singular perfect form (or it could be in the historical present; the present form is the same) of occīdō, occidere, occīdī, occīsum (3): to kill; ruin.
Est
quiddam
quod
occultatur. —Cicero, In Defense of Sextus Roscius Amerinus 121
Translation
There is something behind this.
More literally: There is something that is being hidden.
Details
Est: there is. Quīdam/quaedam/
quiddam
(pron.): someone, something, a certain person, a certain thing. Quī/quae/
quod
(rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Occultātur
is the third person singular passive form of occultō, occultāre, occultāvī, occultātum (1): to conceal, hide.
Alterius
vitae
quoddam
initium
ordimur. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 4.1.8
Translation
It is a sort of second life I am beginning.
More literally: We are beginning a kind of start of a second life.
Details
Alterīus
is the m/f/n genitive singular form of alter/altera/alterum (1/2, irreg.): the other, the second; another, a second; one of two. Vīta, vītae
(1f): life. Quoddam
is the neuter accusative singular form of quīdam/quaedam/quoddam (adj.): some, a certain, a(n); a kind of. Initium
is the accusative singular form of initium, initiī (2n): beginning. Ōrdīmur
is the first person plural form of ōrdior, ōrdīrī, ōrsus sum (4, deponent): to begin (first person plural used for the first person singular).
Tale
quiddam
sapiens
facit. —Seneca, Epistles 9.16
Translation
In some such way as this the sage will act.
(Chicago:) What the sage does is something like that.
More literally: The sage does something like that.
Details
Tāle
is the neuter accusative singular form of tālis/tālis/tāle (3): such, of such a kind, of this/that kind, like this/that. Quiddam
is the neuter accusative singular form of quīdam/quaedam/quiddam (pron.): someone, something, a certain person, a certain thing. Sapiēns, sapientis (3m): wise man, sage. Facit
is the third person singular form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.
Quaedam
aperta
sunt, quaedam
obscura. —Seneca, Epistles 95.61
Translation
Some matters are clear, and others are vague.
(Chicago:) Some things are self-evident, while others are obscure.
Details
Quaedam
is the neuter nominative plural form of of quīdam/quaedam/quiddam (pron.): someone, something, a certain person, a certain thing. Aperta
is the neuter nominative plural form of apertus/aperta/apertum (1/2): open; evident, obvious—originally the perfect passive participle (having been opened or uncovered) of aperiō, aperīre, aperuī, apertum (4): to open; uncover, lay bare. Sunt: (they) are. Obscūra
is the neuter nominative plural form of obscūrus/obscūra/obscūrum (1/2): dark, obscure.
Quaedam
tempora
eripiuntur
nobis, quaedam
subducuntur, quaedam
effluunt. —Seneca, Epistles 1.1
Translation
(Chicago:) Some moments are snatched from us, some are filched, and some just vanish.
More literally: Some moments are snatched from us, some are taken away, some vanish.
Details
Quaedam
is the neuter nominative plural form of quīdam/quaedam/quoddam (adj.): some, a certain, a(n); a kind of. Tempora
is the nominative plural form of tempus, temporis (3n): time; moment. Ēripiuntur
is the third person plural passive form of ēripiō, ēripere, ēripuī, ēreptum (3, –iō): to snatch away; rescue (often with dative of the person from whom the thing is snatched). Nōbīs
is the dative form of nōs: we (to/for/from us). Subdūcuntur
is the third person plural passive form of subdūcō, subdūcere, subdūxī, subductum (3): to pull up, raise; pull from underneath; remove, take away, withdraw; steal. Effluunt
is the third person plural form of effluō, effluere, efflūxī, — (3): to flow out; melt, dissolve; vanish.
Quibusdam
remedia
monstranda, quibusdam
inculcanda
sunt. —Seneca, Epistles 27.9
Translation
For some persons the remedy should be merely prescribed; in the case of others, it should be forced down their throats.
(Chicago:) Some people need to have remedies shown to them; others need them trodden in.
More literally: Remedies are to be shown to some people, forced upon some people.
Details
Quibusdam
is the m/f/n dative plural form of quīdam/quaedam/quiddam (pron.): someone, something, a certain person, a certain thing. Remedia
is the nominative plural form of remedium, remediī (2n): remedy. Mōnstranda
is the neuter nominative plural form of mōnstrandus/mōnstranda/mōnstrandum (1/2), the gerundive (to be shown) of mōnstrō, mōnstrāre, mōnstrāvī, mōnstrātum (1): to point out, show. Inculcanda
is the neuter nominative plural form of inculcandus/inculcanda/inculcandum (1/2), the gerundive (to be forced upon, trampled in) of inculcō, inculcāre, inculcāvī, inculcātum (1): to tread in, ram down, force upon, drive home. Sunt: (they) are.
The neuter nominative/accusative singular pronoun quiddam can go with a partitive genitive to mean something in the way of X, or simply some X.
Quiddam
furor
hic
utilitatis
habet. —Ovid, Tristia 4.1.38
Translation
This madness has a certain profit.
More literally: This madness has something of advantage.
Details
Quiddam
is the neuter accusative singular form of quīdam/quaedam/quiddam (pron.): someone, something, a certain person, a certain thing. Furor, furōris (3m): madness; rage, fury. Hic
/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Ūtilitās, ūtilitātis
(3f): usefulness, use, utility; advantage, welfare. Habet
is the third person singular form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have.
Confusion warning. Quidam looks like quidem (which usually means something like indeed or at any rate), but they’re unrelated.
Quisquis/quidquid
Quisquis/quidquid (rel. and indef. pron. and adj. ; the neuter form is also spelled quicquid): whoever, whatever, anyone who, anything that, all that. This word is a reduplication of quis and quid. It appears mostly in the masculine nominative singular (quisquis) and neuter nominative/accusative singular (quidquid, also spelled quicquid). Only occasionally will you come across other forms such as quōquō (m/n ablative singular) or the surprising cuicui, which looks as if it should be dative singular but is actually genitive. A couple of phrases using those two forms will be illustrated at the end of the entry.
Illustrations of the forms quisquis and quidquid (also spelled quicquid) as pronouns (the most common usage):
Male
vivet
quisquis
nesciet
bene
mori. —Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind 11.4
Translation
That man will live ill who will not know how to die well.
More literally: He will live badly whoever will not know how to die well.
Details
Male
(adv.): badly. Vīvet
is the third person singular future form of vīvō, vīvere, vīxī, vīctum (3): to live. Quisquis
/quidquid (rel. pron. ; the neuter form is also spelled
quicquid): whoever, whatever, anyone who, anything that, all that. Nesciet
is the third person singular future form of nesciō, nescīre, nescīvī/nesciī, nescītum (4): to not know; not know how. Bene
(adv.): well. Morior, morī, mortuus sum (3, –ior, deponent): to die.
Quidquid
ames, cupias
non
placuisse
nimis. —Martial, Epigrams 6.29.8
Translation
Whatever you love, pray that it not please too much.
More literally: Whatever you love, you should wish (it) not to have pleased too much.
Details
Quidquid
is the accusative singular form of quisquis/quidquid (rel. pron. ; the neuter form is also spelled
quicquid): whoever, whatever, anyone who, anything that, all that. Amēs
is the second person singular form of amō, amāre, amāvī, amātum (1): to love (it’s a potential subjunctive due to the subject being a general
you). Cupiās
is the second person singular subjunctive form of cupiō, cupere, cupīvī/cupiī, cupītum (3, –iō): to desire, long, wish (the subjunctive can be used to convey a general piece of advice—addressing a general
you). Nōn: not. Placuisse
is the perfect infinitive form of placeō, placēre, placuī, placitum (2): to please, be pleasing to; be agreed on. Nimis
(adv.): too much, excessively.
When quisquis/quidquid is the subject of the relative clause, the verb agrees with whatever person the pronoun stands for. This is sometimes another person than the third. See quī/quae/quod and quīcumque/quaecumque/quodcumque for illustrations of this type of agreement in relative clauses. The example given at quīcumque/quaecumque/quodcumque also works with quisquis instead of quīcumque. Quisquis trānsīs, siste = (hey you,) whoever pass(es) by, stop(trānsīs being in the second person because its subject quisquis refers to the addressee). But of course the third person is most usual.
The neuter form quidquid (or quicquid) can go with a partitive genitive to mean whatever in the way of X, whatever amount of X, or simply whatever X.
Quidquid
mali
latebat
emergit. —Seneca, Epistles 83.20
Translation
Every lurking evil comes forth from its hiding-place.
More literally: Whatever of evil has been hiding, emerges.
Details
(When too much wine takes hold.) Quisquis/
quidquid
(rel. pron. ; the neuter form is also spelled
quicquid): whoever, whatever, anyone who, anything that, all that. Malum, malī
(2n): evil or any bad thing (misfortune, disease, misdeed, etc.). Latēbat
is the third person singular imperfect form of lateō, latēre, latuī, — (2): to be hidden, hide, lurk; be obscure or unknown. Ēmergit
is the third person singular form of ēmergō, ēmergere, ēmersī, ēmersum (3): to come up out of the water; emerge; come forth, appear.
An example of quisquis used as an adjective:
Quisquis
homo
huc
profecto
venerit, pugnos
edet. —Plautus, Amphitruo 309
Translation
Whoever comes here will eat fists.
More literally: Definitely whatever man comes here will eat fists.
Details
Quisquis
/quidquid (rel. pron. , sometimes adj. ; the neuter form is also spelled
quicquid): whoever, whatever, anyone who, anything that, all that. Homō, hominis (3m): man, human, person. Hūc
(adv.): here (as a destination), to this place. Profectō
(adv.): indeed, truly, undoubtedly, certainly, definitely. Vēnerit
is the third person singular future perfect form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come. Pugnōs
is the accusative plural form of pugnus, pugnī (2m): fist. Edet
is the third person singular future form of edō, ēsse, ēdī, ēsum (3, irreg.): to eat.
The neuter accusative singular can be used adverbially with the meaning to whatever extent/degree, however much (or little), as much (or little) as.
Ride, quidquid
amas, Cato, Catullum. —Catullus 56
Translation
Cato, laugh as much as you love Catullus.
Details
Rīdē
is the singular imperative form of rīdeō, rīdēre, rīsī, rīsum (2): to laugh (at); smile. Quidquid
is the neuter accusative singular form of quisquis/quidquid (rel. pron. ; the neuter form is also spelled
quicquid): whoever, whatever; n. acc. sing. used adverbially: to whatever extent/degree, however much (or little), as much (or little) as. Amās
is the second person singular form of amō, amāre, amāvī, amātum (1): to love. Catō
is the vocative singular form of Catō, Catōnis (3m): cognomen of Marcus Porcius Cato. Catullum
is the accusative singular form of Catullus, Catullī (2m): cognomen of Gaius Valerius Catullus.
Now a couple of rarer forms. The genitive cuicui occurs mostly as an adjective in the expression cuicui modī (meaning literally of whatever kind), which can be written as one word and usually goes with a form of sum (as in the example below). It’s found mostly in Cicero.
Superest
enim
nobis
hoc, cuicuimodi
est, otium. —Cicero, Tusculan Disputations 3.83
Translation
For I have this single boon left to me, whatever its worth, of leisure.
More literally: For this leisure, of whatever kind it is, is left to us.
Details
(Because he had left public life.)
Superest
is the third person singular form of supersum, superesse, superfuī, superfutūrus (irreg.): to remain, be left over. Enim
(particle): for, indeed. Nōbīs
is the dative form of nōs: we (to us) (first person plural used for the first person singular). Hic/haec/
hoc
(adj.): this. Cuicuimodi: of whatever kind or quality (cuicui
—genitive singular of
quisquis/quidquid
(of whatever) +
modī
—genitive singular of
modus
(measure; limit; way, manner; kind)). Est: it is. Ōtium, ōtiī (2n): freedom from business, leisure; inactivity; peace.
The ablative quōquō is found most often with the noun modō, meaning (in this context) way or means. The phrase quōquō modō is also a favorite of Cicero’s but also occurs in many other authors. The example below also show how quisquis/quidquid is sometimes used without introducing a full clause (it’s then arguably an indefinite pronoun without much relative force left).
Quoquo
modo
confice. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 12.12.1
Translation
Settle it one way or another.
More literally: Settle it by whatever means.
Details
Quōquō
is the m/n ablative singular form of quisquis/quidquid (rel. an indef. pron. , sometimes adj. ; the neuter form is also spelled
quicquid): whoever, whatever, anyone who, anything that, all that. Modō
is the ablative singular form of modus, modī (2m): measure; limit; way, manner. Cōnfice
is the singular imperative form of cōnficiō, cōnficere, cōnfēcī, cōnfectum (3, –iō): to complete; perform, accomplish; produce, make; settle a matter, make arrangements.
Note that another quōquō exists: an adverb meaning wherever (with motion), to whatever place.
Insaniam
tuam, quoquo
te
duxerit, sequeris. —Apuleius, Apology 52
Translation
You follow wherever your insanity leads you.
More literally: You follow your insanity wherever it will have led (or may lead/have led) you.
Details
Īnsāniam
is the accusative singular form of īnsānia, īnsāniae (1f): madness, insanity. Tuam
is the feminine accusative singular form of tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. Quōquō
(rel. adv.): wherever (with motion), to whatever place. Tē
is the accusative form of tū: you. Dūxerit
is the third person singular future perfect (or perfect subjunctive) form of dūcō, dūcere, dūxī, ductum (3): to lead, guide, bring, take (to a place); draw; think, consider. Sequeris
is the second person singular form of sequor, sequī, secūtus sum (3, deponent): to follow.
Quis/quis/quid
Quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron. and adj.): who? what? The neuter accusative singular form is sometimes used adverbially with the meaning in what respect? to what extent? what for? why?
Quis/quis/quid is most often a pronoun; i.e., it stands on its own in place of a noun. But the masculine form (quis) sometimes occurs as an adjective modifying a masculine noun in the same way as the interrogative adjective quī (see the entry on quī/quae/quod). So for example what food? could be translated, using the masculine noun cibus, into quī cibus? but also quis cibus? The same thing doesn’t usually happen in the other genders. So for instance what temple? using the neuter noun templum wouldn’t be quid templum? but quod templum? (Again, see quī/quae/quod.)
The form quis is typically masculine. Latin defaults to the masculine when a person’s gender is unspecified. Of course that’s often the case when you’re talking about who? But occasionally you do know that a who? is female—e. g. , who is that woman? Then the form quis can be used as feminine; but quae also appears as a feminine who.
The neuter quid mostly occurs in the nominative and accusative. A genitive, dative or ablative what is usually conveyed by quae rēs in the appropriate form. For example, what are you writing about? = quā dē rē scrībis? (lit. about what thing are you writing? ) But exceptions occur.
There’s a variant of quis/quis/quid that has a different meaning: quis/qua/quid. It’s treated in the entry on aliquis/aliqua/aliquid.
Quis
negat? —Seneca, On Benefits 4.34.1
Translation
Details
Quis
/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? What? Negat
is the third person singular form of negō, negāre, negāvī, negātum (1): to deny; refuse.
Quis
enim
erit
finis? —Seneca, Consolation to Marcia 1.6
Translation
For where will it end?
More literally: For what will be the end? Or: For what end will there be?
Details
Quis
/quis/quid (interrog. pron. , sometimes adj. in the masculine): who? what? Enim
(particle): for. Erit
is the third person singular future form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Fīnis, fīnis (3m): end; limit; purpose.
Quid
porro, si
veniet? —Seneca, Epistles 13.14
Translation
What, then, if it does come?
Details
(He’s talking about fears: instead of saying “maybe it won’t happen,” he suggests saying “so what if it does?”) Quis/quis/
quid
(interrog. pron.): who? what? Porrō
(adv.): forward; further; next; furthermore, then, besides. Sī
(conj.): if. Veniet
is the third person singular future form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come.
Quid
respondes? Quid
dicis? —Quintilian, Minor Declamations 286.8
Translation
What is your answer? What do you say?
Details
Quid
is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Respondēs
is the second person singular form of respondeō, respondēre, respondī, respōnsum (2): to respond, answer. Dīcis
is the second person singular form of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say.
Cuius
colonus
es? —Seneca, Epistles 88.12
Translation
Details
Cuius
is the m/f/n genitive singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.) who? what? Colōnus, colōnī (2m): farmer; tenant farmer (one who cultivates another’s land); colonist. Es: are you.
Cui
illas
adsignabimus? —Seneca, Epistles 33.4
Translation
To whom shall we credit them?
Quo pulchrior es? —Ezek. 32:19
Whom do you surpass in beauty?
More literally: You are more beautiful than whom?
Details
(He’s talking about thoughts or sayings—sententia, sententiae (1f).)
Cui
is the m/f/n dative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Illās
is the feminine accusative plural form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that; he, she, it (those, them). Adsignābimus
is the first person plural future form of adsignō, adsignāre, adsignāvī, adsignātum (1—also
assignō): to assign, attribute, confer upon.
Quō
is the m/n ablative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Pulchrior/
pulchrior
/pulchrius (3): more beautiful—the comparative form of pulcher/pulchra/pulchrum (1/2) (it’s feminine because it refers to Egypt—Aegyptus, Aegyptī (2f); it takes
quō
as an ablative of comparison): beautiful. Es: you are.
Quis
locus
est
templis
augustior? —Ovid, Tristia 2.1.287
Translation
What place is more dignified than the temples?
Details
Quis
/quis/quid (interrog. pron. , sometimes adj. in the masculine): who? what? Locus, locī (2m): place; opportunity, occasion. Est: is. Templīs
is the ablative plural form of templum, templī (2n): temple, sanctuary. Augustior
/augustior/augustius (3): more august, more venerable, more majestic, more dignified—the comparative form of augustus/augusta/augustum (1/2): august, venerable, majestic, dignified.
The neuter nominative/accusative singular form quid sometimes goes with a partitive genitive to mean what in the way of X (or simply what X).
Quid
negoti
est? —Plautus, Pseudolous 130
Translation
What’s the matter?
More literally: What is it/there of business/matter?
Details
Quis/quis/
quid
(interrog. pron.): who? what? Negōtium, negōtī
(2n; the genitive can also be
negōtiī): occupation, business, affair, matter; difficulty, trouble. Est: is.
Examples of quid used adverbially:
Quid
moror? —Virgil, Aeneid 4.325
Translation
Details
Quid
is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? —n. acc. sg. used adverbially: in what respect? to what extent? what for? why? Moror, morārī, morātus sum (1, deponent): to delay, retard; stay, linger.
Sed
casto
quid
forma
nocet? —Juvenal, Satires 10.324
Translation
But if he’s pure, what harm can beauty do him?
More literally: But in what respect does beauty harm a chaste man?
Details
(He’s reply to concerns that the beauty of his son will cause the son to lured into debauchery.)
Sed
(conj.): but. Castō
is the m/n (here m) dative singular form of castus/casta/castum (1/2): morally pure, chaste, guiltless, virtuous. Quid
is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? —n. acc. sg. used adverbially: in what respect? to what extent? what for? why? Fōrma, fōrmae (1f): form, shape; sort, kind; beauty. Nocet
is the third person singular form of noceō, nocēre, nocuī, nocitum (2): to be harmful, injure, hurt, harm (takes a dative object).
Quisque/quaeque/quidque
Quisque/quaeque/quidque (pron. ; the neuter form is also spelled quicque): each, each one, each person, each thing; every or any single one/person/thing. Quisque/quaeque/quodque (adj.): each, every single, any single.
These words are made up of quis, quae, quod and quid plus the suffix – que. The first part declines just as the simple quis would etc. The suffix never changes. The pronoun and the adjective decline the same way throughout except in the neuter nominative and accusative singular. So quidque, on its own, means each thing. But, e. g. , each temple = templum quodque.
With some (mostly poetic) exceptions, quisque/quaeque/quidque/quodque doesn’t come as the first word in a clause. The word is especially frequent in a series of particular constructions, which will be mentioned below.
Quaerimus
non
quale
sit
quidque, sed
quanti. —Seneca, Epistles 115.10
Translation
We ask, not what a thing truly is, but what it costs.
More literally: We ask not what kind each thing is but of how much (monetary value).
Details
Quaerimus
is the first person plural form of quaerō, quaerere, quaesīvī/quaesiī, quaesītum (3): to ask; seek. Nōn: not. Quālis/quālis/
quāle
(3): what kind, of what nature or quality. Sit
is the third person singular subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Quisque/quaeque/
quidque
(pron.): each, each one, each person, each thing; every or any single one/person/thing. Sed
(conj.): but. Quantum, quantī
(interrog. pron.): how great an amount? how much? (The genitive of value.)
Fixus
est
cuique
terminus. —Seneca, Consolation to Marcia 21.5
Translation
For each the boundary line is fixed.
Details
(Of life.)
Fīxus
/fīxa/fīxum (1/2) is the perfect passive participle (fixed) of fīgō, fīgere, fīxī, fīxum (3): to fasten, fix, pin. Est: is. Cuique: for each (one/person)—the m/f/n dative singular form of quisque/quaeque/quidque (pron.): each, each one, each person, each thing; every or any single one/person/thing. Terminus, terminī (2m): a post or stone marking a boundary; furthest point; boundary, limit, bound; end.
Tanti
quodque
malum
est
quanti
illud
taxavimus. —Seneca, Consolation to Marcia 19.1
Translation
Every evil is only as great as we have reckoned it to be.
More literally: Of this amount each evil is, of as much as we have assessed it.
Details
Tantum, tantī
(pron.): so great an amount, so much; this amount, this much; as great an amount, as much. Quisque/quaeque/
quodque
(adj.): each, every single, any single. Malum, malī (2n): evil; misfortune. Est: is. Quantum, quantī
(rel. pron.): as much as, as great an amount as. Illud
is the neuter accusative singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that; he, she, it; the former. Taxāvimus
is the first person plural perfect form of taxō, taxāre, taxāvī, taxātum (1): to rate, assess the value (or size, extent, etc.) of.
Forms of quisque are often used together with forms of sē and suus to mean each. . . themselves or each. . . their own. Usually, the form of sē or suus precedes that of quisque, as below in sibi quisque and sua quemque.
Sibi
quisque
se
vindicat. —Seneca, Epistles 33.4
Translation
Each of us lays claim to his own freedom.
More literally: Each claims himself (as free) for himself.
Details
Sibi: for himself (the dative form of the reflexive pronoun). Quisque
/quaeque/quidque (pron.): each, each one, each person, each thing; every or any single one/person/thing. Sē: himself
(the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun). Sē
is the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun (himself). Vindicat
is the third person singular form of vindicō, vindicāre, vindicāvī, vindicātum (1): to claim, lay claim to (it’s fairly common for a reflexive pronoun in the dative to go with it: literally
to claim X for oneself); claim as free; liberate; protect; avenge, vindicate.
Sua
quemque
fraus
et
suus
terror
maxime
vexat. —Cicero, In Defense of Sextus Roscius Amerinus 67
Translation
It is their own evil deed, their own terror that torments them more than anything else.
Alt. : His own deceit and his own fear trouble each person the most.
Details
Suus/
sua
/suum (1/2): his (own); it agrees with the thing possessed (here
fraus
and
terror). Quemque
is the masculine accusative singular form of quisque/quaeque/quidque (pron.): each, each one, each person, each thing; every or any single one/person/thing. Fraus, fraudis (3f): crime; deceit, fraud; harm; delusion. Et
(conj.): and. Suus
/sua/suum (1/2): his (own); it agrees with the thing possessed (here
fraus
and
terror). Terror, terrōris (3m): terror, great fear; object of fear. Maximē
(adv.): most; very much; especially. Vexat
is the third person singular form of vexō, vexāre, vexāvī, vexātum (1): to vex, trouble, distress, disturb, harass; shake; buffet.
A superlative adjective followed by a form of quisque means literally each most X person/thing; i.e., each person according to who is most X, (all) the most X people/things. . . The construction can be translated in a variety of ways.
De
antiquis
inlustrissimus
quisque
pastor
erat. —Varro, On Agriculture 2.1.6
Translation
Of the ancients the most illustrious were all shepherds.
Of the ancients, each most illustrious was a shepherd.
Details
Dē
(prep.): from, down from; of; about, concerning (takes the ablative). Antīquīs
is the m/f/n (here m) ablative plural form of antīquus/antīqua/antīquum (1/2): old, ancient. Inlūstrissimus
/inlūstrissima/inlūstrissimum (1/2): brightest, most shining; most distinguished, most illustrious—the superlative form of inlūstris/inlūstris/inlūstre (3—also
illūstris): bright, shining; distinguished, illustrious. Quisque
/quaeque/quodque (adj.): each, every single, any single (or it could be attributed to the pronoun
quisque/quaeque/quidque; we know from neuter nominative/accusative singular examples (the only forms where the adjective differs from the pronoun) that both the pronoun and the adjective can be used in the superlative +
quisque
construction). Pāstor, pāstōris (3m): shepherd. Erat: (he) was—the third person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
Antiquissimae
cuique
primum
respondebo. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 9.9.1
Translation
I shall answer them in chronological order.
More literally: I will respond to each oldest one first/I will respond to each according as it is oldest first.
Details
(Letters he’s received— epistula, epistulae (1f).)
Antīquissimae
is the feminine dative singular form of antīquissimus/antīquissima/antīquissimum (1/2): oldest—the superlative form of antīquus/antīqua/antīquum (1/2): old, ancient. Cuique
is the m/f/n dative singular form of quisque/quaeque/quodque (adj.): each, every single, any single (or it could be the pronoun
quisque/quaeque/quidque). Prīmum
(adv.): first. Respondēbō
is the first person singular future form of respondeō, respondēre, respondī, respōnsum (2): to respond, answer.
Quotus quisque is a phrase hard to translate literally, but it conveys the idea of what proportion (of people, etc.) ? how many. . . ? (Often implying few.)
Quotus
quisque
accusator
vacat
culpa? —Seneca, On Mercy 1.6.2
Translation
How many accusers are free from blame?
Somewhat more literally: In what share is an accuser without blame?
Details
Quotus
/quota/quotum (1/2): having what position in a series? in what proportion to the total? #(see
quisque)%
Quisque
/quaeque/quodque (adj.): each, every single, any single (quotus quisque = how many. . . ?)
Accūsātor, accūsātōris (3m): accuser; plaintiff. Vacat
is the third person singular form of vacō, vacāre, vacāvī, vacātum (1): to be vacant; be without; have time. Culpā
is the ablative singular form of culpa, culpae (1f): fault, blame.
Ut quisque is another fairly common phrase. The literal meaning is as each, but the word each may be unnecessary in translation, as in the example below. The idea conveyed is roughly that every time X happens (e. g. , overtaking enemy soldiers), Y happens (below, killing the overtaken enemy).
Sequuntur
hostem, et
postremos, ut
quosque
adepti sunt, caedunt. —Livy, History of Rome 37.43.8
Translation
They pursued the enemy, killing the rearmost as they overtook them.
Details
Sequuntur
is the third person plural form of sequor, sequī, secūtus sum (3, deponent): to follow; pursue, chase; escort, accompany (it’s in the historical present). Hostem
is the accusative singular form of hostis, hostis (3m/f): enemy. Et
(conj.): and. Postrēmōs
is the masculine accusative plural form of postrēmus/postrēma/postrēmum (1/2): last; endmost; rearmost—the superlative form of posterus/postera/posterum (1/2): following, next. Ut
(rel. adv.): as; when, as soon as. Quōsque
is the masculine accusative plural form of quisque/quaeque/quidque (pron.): each, each one, each person, each thing; every or any single one/person/thing. Adeptī sunt
is the third person masculine plural perfect form of adipīscor, adipīscī, adeptus sum (3, deponent): to overtake; reach; obtain. Caedunt
is the third person plural form of caedō, caedere, cecīdī, caesum (3): to cut; strike; kill (another historical present).
We’ve seen a few singular forms of quisque used as subjects and taking singular verbs. But singular forms of quisque can also be combined with plural verbs. Quisque in that case isn’t the subject, but an addition to it. Compare English each one does something and they each do something.
In
muros
pro
se
quisque
armati
discurrunt. —Livy, History of Rome 5.21.6
Translation
Each for himself took up arms and ran out to the ramparts.
More literally: Each for himself they run off armed onto the ramparts.
Details
In
(prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into, onto. Mūrōs
is the accusative plural form of mūrus, mūrī (2m): wall (especially a city wall), rampart. Prō
(prep.): in front of, before; in exchange for, instead of; for, on behalf of (takes the ablative). Sē: himself—the ablative form of the reflexive pronoun. Quisque
/quaeque/quidque (pron.): each, each one, each person, each thing; every or any single one/person/thing. Armātī
is the masculine nominative plural form of armātus/armāta/armātum (1/2), the perfect passive participle (armed) of armō, armāre, armāvī, armātum (1): to arm. Discurrunt
is the third person plural form of discurrō, discurrere, discurrī, discursum (3): to run off different ways, run in all directions.
That last quote also illustrates another common phrase: prō sē quisque, meaning each for himself or each according to his ability.
Quisquam/quicquam
Quisquam/quicquam (pron. and adj.): anyone, anything; any. This word is made up of quis and quid + the unvarying suffix – quam.
Only the first part of this word declines. Quisquam is the masculine form, meaning anyone. Quicquam, also spelled quidquam, is the neuter form, meaning anything. The masculine form is found in all cases of the singular (genitive cuiusquam, dative cuiquam, and so on). The neuter form occurs mostly in the nominative and accusative singular. Plural forms and distinctly feminine forms are very rare. The all-gender forms cuiusquam and cuiquam can be used as feminine, as can, occasionally, the form quisquam.
Quisquam/quicquam is usually a pronoun (anyone, anything) but sometimes an adjective (any + noun). There are broadly two ways in which the English word any, and derivatives like anyone and anything, can be used. Any can mean any at all, even a single (one, person, thing, etc.) in negative, quasi-negative, conditional, or similar contexts: I don’t think anyone can do this. Can anyone on earth do this? If anyone can do this, they’re a genius. It’s rare to find a person who can do anything of the sort. Or it can mean any you like, any random: Pick any of these pictures. Anyone can do this. Quisquam/quicquam corresponds to the first type (any at all). The second type would be conveyed by a different word, often quīvīs/quaevīs/quidvīs(quodvīs for the neuter adjective form), quīlibet/quaelibet/quidlibet(quodlibet for the neuter adjective) or ūllus/ūlla/ūllum. The first illustration below neatly shows the difference between the two types.
Cuivis
potest
accidere
quod
cuiquam
potest. —Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind 11.8
Translation
Whatever can happen to one man can happen to anyone.
More literally: That can happen to anyone you like/any random person ( = cuivīs) which can (happen) to anyone at all/even a single person ( = cuiquam).
Details
(A line from Publilius.)
Cuivīs
is the m/f/n dative singular form of quīvīs/quaevīs/quidvīs (pron.): anyone (you like), anything (you like), any random person or thing. Potest
is the third person singular form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can. Accidō, accidere, accidī, — (3): to happen, befall (with dative of the person). Quī/quae/
quod
(rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Cuiquam
is the m/f/n dative singular form of quisquam/quicquam (pron.): anyone (at all), anything (at all), even a single person or thing. Potest
is the third person singular form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can.
Credat
hoc
quisquam? —Seneca, Epistles 97.9
Translation
Could anyone believe this?
Details
Crēdat
is the third person singular subjunctive form of crēdō, crēdere, crēdidī, crēditum (3): to believe; trust (potential subjunctive). Hoc
is the neuter accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Quisquam
/quicquam (pron.): anyone, anything.
Non
est
quod
quicquam
timendum
putes. —Seneca, Epistles 110.5
Translation
There is no reason why you should suppose that anything is to be feared.
Details
Nōn: not. Est: there is. Quod
(conj.): that; the fact that; as for the fact that; in respect to the fact that; in that; because; with a subjunctive verb: (something) with regards to which, (a reason) why. Quicquam
is the neuter accusative singular form of quisquam/quicquam (pron.): anyone, anything. Timendum
is the m/n accusative singular form of timendus/timenda/timendum (1/2), the gerundive (to be feared) of timeō, timēre, timuī, — (2): to fear, be afraid. Putēs
is the second person singular subjunctive form of putō, putāre, putāvī, putātum (1): to think, suppose.
Nec
reicit
quemquam
philosophia
nec
eligit. —Seneca, Epistles 44.3
Translation
Philosophy neither rejects nor selects anyone.
Details
(Its light shines for all.) Neque/
nec
(conj.): and not, nor; (adv.): not; neither, not either, not even (nec. . . nec: neither. . . nor). Reicit
is the third person singular form of reiciō, reicere, reiēcī, reiectum (3, –iō): to throw back; drive back; throw away; reject. Quemquam
is the masculine accusative singular form of quisquam/quicquam (pron.): anyone, anything. Philosophia, philosophiae (1f): philosophy. Neque/
nec
(conj.): and not, nor. Ēligit
is the third person singular form of ēligō, ēligere, ēlēgī, ēlēctum (3): to choose, elect.
The neuter form (quicquam or quidquam) can be combined with a partitive genitive to mean anything in the way of X, any amount of X, any X.
Vix
spei
quicquam
est
super. —Seneca, Trojan Women 490
Translation
Scarcely any hope is left.
More literally: There is scarcely anything of hope after what has been taken.
Details
Vix
(adv.): with difficulty; barely, hardly, scarcely. Spēs, speī
(5f): hope; expectation. Quisquam/
quicquam
(pron.): anyone, anything. Est: is. Super
(adv.): above, over, on top; beyond; in addition; as a residue, left, after what has been taken.
An example of the less common adjectival use:
Deus
dignior
fuit
quisquam
homo
qui
esset? —Plautus, The Braggart Soldier 1043
Translation
Has any human ever been worthier to be a god?
Details
Deus, deī (2m, irreg.): god. Dignior
/dignior/dignius (3): worthier—the comparative form of dignus/digna/dignum (1/2): worthy (the adjective
dignus/digna/dignum
can take a relative clause with a subjunctive verb to express what one is worthy of; thus
dignior quī deus esset = worthier to be a god). Fuit
is the third person singular perfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Quisquam
/quicquam (usually pron. , occasionally adj.): anyone, anything; any. Homō, hominis (3m): man, human. Quī
/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Esset
is the third person singular imperfect subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
The neuter accusative singular form can be used adverbially with the meaning in any respect, to any extent, in anything.
Si
quicquam
nos
amas, dormi
per
istas
noctes. —Fronto, Letters to Marcus Aurelius 5.1.1
Translation
If you have any love at all for me, sleep those nights.
More literally: If you love me to any extent, sleep through those nights.
Details
(. . . so that you arrive in the Senate well-rested.)
Sī
(conj.): if. Quicquam
is the neuter accusative form of quisquam/quicquam (pron.): anyone, anything; n. acc. sg. used adverbially: in any respect, to any extent, in anything. Nōs
is the accusative form of nōs: we (us) (first person plural used for the first person singular). Amās
is the second person singular form of amō, amāre, amāvī, amātum (1): to love. Dormī
is the singular imperative form of dormiō, dormīre, dormīvī/dormiī, dormītum (4): to sleep. Per
(prep.): through; throughout; by, by means of; during (takes the accusative). Istās
is the feminine accusative plural form of iste/ista/istud (adj.): that (of yours). Noctēs
is the accusative plural form of nox, noctis (3f): night.
Quīvīs/quaevīs/quidvīs
Quīvīs/quaevīs/quidvīs (pron.): anyone (you like), anything (you like), whoever you like, whatever you like, any random person or thing. Quīvīs/quaevīs/quodvīs (adj.): any (you like), whichever you like, any random.
These words are composed of quī/quae/quod and quid+ vīs, the second person singular form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish, will. The second element doesn't change (it’s always vīs); the first declines the way those words usually do. The pronoun and the adjective are identical throughout except in the neuter nominative/accusative singular form. There the pronoun is quidvīs while the adjective is quodvīs (so anything = quidvīs but any temple = quodvīs templum). The neuter pronoun quidvīs occurs mostly in the nominative and accusative forms.
Compare quisquam/quicquam: similar translation (anyone/anything) but different meaning (see the quisquam entry for more on this).
Muneribus
quivis
mercatur
amorem? —Propertius, Elegies 2.16
Translation
So anyone can purchase love with presents?
Any random person purchases love with presents?
Details
Mūneribus
is the ablative plural form of mūnus, mūneris (3n): gift, present; office; duty. Quīvīs
/quaevīs/quidvīs (pron.): anyone (you like), anything (you like), whoever you like, whatever you like, any random person or thing. Mercātur
is the third person singular form of mercor, mercārī, mercātus sum (1, deponent): to trade, buy, purchase. Amōrem
is the accusative singular form of amor, amōris (3m): love, affection, passion.
Scio
enim
quidvis
homini
accidere
posse. —Cicero, Philippics 12.24
Translation
For I know that anything can happen to mortal man.
More literally: For I know anything to be able to happen to a man.
Details
Sciō, scīre, scīvī/sciī, scītum (4): to know. Enim
(particle): for, indeed. Quidvīs
is the neuter accusative singular form of quīvīs/quaevīs/quidvīs (pron.): anyone (you like), anything (you like), whoever you like, whatever you like, any random person or thing. Hominī
is the dative singular form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human. Accidō, accidere, accidī, — (3): to fall down, descend; come to pass, happen, occur, befall (takes a dative object). Possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can.
Quodvis
enim
supplicium
levius
est
hac
permansione. —Cicero, Letters to Atticus 11.18.1
Translation
For any punishment is lighter than staying on in this place.
Details
Quīvīs/quaevīs/
quodvīs
(adj.): any (you like), whichever you like, any random. Enim
(particle): for, indeed. Supplicium, suppliciī (2n): supplication; punishment; suffering, torture. Levior/levior/
levius
(3): lighter; gentler; easier—the comparative form of levis/levis/leve (3): light; gentle; easy. Est: is. Hāc
is the feminine ablative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Permānsiōne
is the ablative singular form of permānsiō, permānsiōnis (3f): a remaining, abiding.
Asperior
quovis
aequore
frater
erat. —Ovid, Fasti 3.580
Translation
Her brother was more cruel than any sea.
Details
Asperior
/asperior/asperius (3): more cruel—the comparative form of asper/aspera/asperum (1/2): rough; harsh; cruel. Quōvīs
is the m/n ablative singular form of quīvīs/quaevīs/quodvīs (adj.): any (you like), whichever you like, any random. Aequore
is the ablative singular form of aequor, aequoris (3n): even surface; sea. Frāter, frātris (3m): brother. Erat: was—the
third person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.
Confusion warning. Quōvīs can also be an adverb meaning to any place.
Note a synonym: quīlibet/quaelibet/quidlibet (and quodlibet for the neuter adjective; the difference is the same as between quidvīs and quodvīs).
Statue
aliquando
quidlibet. —Cicero, Lucullus 133.7
Translation
Do for once decide on something!
More literally: Finally decide something/anything.
Details
Statue
is the singular imperative form of statuō, statuere, statuī, statūtum (3): to set up, erect, establish; place; decide, make up one’s mind. Aliquandō
(adv): sometimes; once; finally. Quidlibet
is the neuter accusative singular form of quīlibet/quaelibet/quidlibet (pron.): anyone (you like), anything (you like), whoever you like, whatever you like, any random person or thing.
Tu
iuvenem
trepidum
quolibet
abde
loco. —Ovid, The Art of Love 3.608
Translation
Conceal the frightened youth in any hiding-place.
More literally: You, hide the anxious youth in any place.
Details
Tū
is the vocative form of tū: you (sing.). Iuvenem
is the accusative singular form of iuvenis, iuvenis (3m/f): young person (more often masculine). Trepidum
is the m/n accusative singular form of trepidus/trepida/trepidum (1/2): restless, anxious, agitated. Quōlibet
is the m/n ablative singular form of quīlibet/quaelibet/quodlibet (adj.): any (you like), whichever you like, any random. Abde
is the singular imperative form of abdō, abdere, abdidī, abditum (3): to put away; hide, conceal. Locō
is the ablative singular form of locus, locī (2m): place, position.
Quōlibet, too, can also be an adverb meaning to any place.
Sui/sibi/sē/sē
Sui/sibi/sē/sē (pron. —also sēsē): himself, herself, itself, themselves, oneself; each other, one another. The same forms are used for the singular and plural and in all genders. There is no nominative of this word, and sē can be accusative or ablative. The reduplicated variant sēsē occurs only in those two cases (the genitive and dative suī and sibi don’t have such a variant). Sēsē is originally more emphatic than sē, but the difference in classical Latin isn’t big.
We’ll treat sē as the short form of this word for ease of discussion. Sē is a third-person reflexive pronoun. “Reflexive” means that it refers back to the subject of the sentence; the subject is acting on itself or, more broadly, doing something in relation to itself (e. g. , he hurt himself, he did it for himself). Compare is/ea/id, which are pronouns that don’t refer back to the subject. And compare the possessive adjective suus/sua/suum (1/2): his own, her own, its own, their own, one’s own. And also ipse/ipsa/ipsum, another kind of himself/herself/etc. —intensive, not reflexive; the difference is explained in the ipse/ipsa/ipsum entry.
Sē doesn’t always translate as himself, herself, etc. Sometimes a simple him or her etc. is a more idiomatic translation. But the point usually remains that sē refers back to the subject. Consider the sentence he heard it behind him. Him here is the same person as the subject he. So Latin would use sē. If another pronoun were used to translate him —e. g. , eum —it would mean that he heard it behind some other person, not himself.
Sē is also used in some types of subordinate clauses to refer back to the subject of the main clause (or the clause on which the subordinate clause depends), even if the subject of the subordinate clause is different. Take the sentence he did it so that we would admire him. Assuming that the pronouns he and him represent the same person, him here would, again, be sē in Latin—referring not to the subject of admire, which is we, but to that of the main verb did. If, e. g. , eum were used instead of sē, it would mean that he wanted us to admire some other person, not himself. This kind of indirect reflexiveness occurs mostly in clauses that represent the words or thoughts of the subject of the main verb; i.e., when someone thinks, says, wishes, wonders, intends, etc. , something concerning themselves. So it’s the rule in indirect statements, indirect questions, indirect commands, fear clauses and purpose clauses.
Sē belongs to the third person only. The reflexives myself, yourself, ourselves and yourselves are expressed with forms of the personal pronouns ego, tū, nōs and vōs, which can all be reflexive as well as non-reflexive—so for example the sentences I see myself and you see me would both use mē in Latin translation (for both me and myself).
Forms of ipse are sometimes added to sē and other personal pronouns for emphasis (see ipse/ipsa/ipsum).
Examples of sē as a direct reflexive (referring back to the subject of the clause that it’s in):
Scelera
conspectum
sui
reformidant. —Seneca, Natural Questions 1.16.4
Translation
Crimes avoid the sight of themselves.
Details
Scelera
is the nominative plural form of scelus, sceleris (3n): crime. Cōnspectum
is the accusative singular form of cōnspectus, cōnspectūs (4m): a sight, view. Suī: of themselves—the genitive form of the reflexive pronoun. Reformīdant
is the third person plural form of reformīdō, reformīdāre, reformīdāvī, reformīdātum (1): to shrink from, dread, shun, avoid through fear.
Iniuriam
sibi
fecit. —Seneca, On Benefits 5.7.6
Translation
He has done himself an injury.
Details
Iniūriam
is the accusative singular form of iniūria, iniūriae (1f): injury, wrong, injustice. Sibi: (to) himself—the dative form of the reflexive pronoun. Fēcit
is the third person singular perfect form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make.
Intellectus
sibi
permissus. —expression of Francis Bacon
Translation
Details
(Later used by John Stuart Mill; he said the Socratic method was a remedy for the foolishness of the mind left to itself.)
Intellēctūs, intellēctus (4m): intellect, faculty of understanding. Sibi: to itself—the dative form of the reflexive pronoun. Permissus
/permissa/permissum (1/2) is the perfect passive participle (permitted, left) of permittō, permittere, permīsī, permissum (3): to allow, permit; leave (to decide, or to be treated in some way).
Nemo
tristis
sibi
est. —Seneca, Epistles 63.2
Translation
No man goes into mourning for his own sake.
More literally: No one is sad for himself.
Details
Nēmō, nēminis (3m): no one. Trīstis
/trīstis/trīste (3): gloomy, sad, sullen; stern, austere; grim. Sibi: for himself—the dative form of the reflexive pronoun. Est: is.
Deforme
etiam
est
de
se ipsum
praedicare. —Cicero, On Duties 1.137
Translation
It is bad taste also to talk about oneself.
More literally: It is also ugly to proclaim oneself (things) about oneself.
Details
Dēfōrmis/dēfōrmis/
dēfōrme
(3): deformed, ugly; shameful, unseemly, inappropriate. Etiam
(particle): even; also; still. Est: it is. Dē
(prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes the ablative). Sē: oneself—the ablative form of the reflexive pronoun. Ipsum
is the m/n accusative singular form of ipse/ipsa/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/oneself/etc. ; in person; the very. Praedicō, praedicāre, praedicāvī, praedicātum (1): to proclaim, make publicly known; praise, extol.
Animus
ex
se
crescit, se ipse
alit, se
exercet. —Seneca, Epistles 80.3
Translation
(Chicago:) The mind grows by itself, feeds itself, trains itself.
Details
Animus, animī (2m): mind; will, intention. Ex
/ē
(prep.): from, out of; according to (takes ablative). Sē
is the ablative form of the reflexive pronoun. Crēscit
is the third person singular form of crēscō, crēscere, crēvī, crētum (3): to grow. Sē
is the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun. Ipse
/ipsa/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/etc. ; in person; the very. Alit
is the third person singular form of alō, alere, aluī, altum (3): to feed, nourish. Sē
is the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun. Exercet
is the third person singular form of exerceō, exercēre, exercuī, exercitum (2): to train, exercise, practice.
Vide
quam
sit
se
contentus. —Seneca, Epistles 9.4
Translation
Mark how self-sufficient he is.
More literally: See how content he is with himself.
Details
Vidē
is the singular imperative form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see. Quam
(interrog. adv.): how (much)? to what degree? Sit
is the third person singular subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Sē: with himself—the ablative form of the reflexive pronoun. Contentus
/contenta/contentum (1/2): content, satisfied (often takes the ablative).
Virtus
omnia
in
sese
habet. —Plautus, Amphitruo 652
Translation
Courage has all goods within itself.
Details
Virtūs, virtūtis (3f): virtue, moral excellence; courage, valor. Omnia
is the neuter accusative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): every; all—an adjective used substantively (all things, everything). In
(prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Sēsē: itself—a variant of
sē, the ablative form of the reflexive pronoun. Habet
is the third person singular form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have.
As with other personal pronouns, the preposition cum gets attached at the end of sē instead of preceding it. So with him(self) etc. is sēcum rather than cum sē.
Quocumque
illum
transtuleris, morbum
secum
suum
transferet. —Seneca, Epistles 17.12
Translation
Wherever he be moved, he will carry his malady with him.
More literally: Wherever you will have transported him, he will transport his (own) disease with him.
Details
Quōcumque
(rel. adv.): wherever (with motion), whithersoever, to whatever place. Illum
is the masculine accusative singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that; he, she, it. Trānstuleris
is the second person singular future perfect form of trānsferō, trānsferre, trānstulī, trānslātum (3, irreg.): to carry over, transfer; transport. Morbum
is the accusative singular form of morbus, morbī (2m): disease, ailment. Sēcum: with him(self) (sē = himself; cum = with). Suum: his (own)—the m/n accusative singular form of suus/sua/suum (1/2). Trānsferet
is the third person singular future form of trānsferō, trānsferre, trānstulī, trānslātum (3, irreg.): to carry over, transfer; transport.
Sē occasionally means each other, one another —more often in combination with ipse or invicem than on its own; e. g. , sē ipsī audiērunt or sē invicem audiērunt = they heard each other. But more common to express the idea of each other or one another is the phrase inter sē.
Et
nos
et
inter
se
amant. —Cicero, Letters to Quintus 3.3.1
Translation
They love us and each other.
More literally: They love both us and among themselves.
Details
Et
(conj.): and (et. . . et = both. . . and). Nōs
is the accusative form of nōs: we (us). Et
(conj.): and. Inter
(prep.): among; between (takes the accusative). Sē: themselves—the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun. Amant
is the third person plural form of amō, amāre, amāvī, amātum (1): to love.
Here are a couple of examples of sē as an indirect reflexive in subordinate clauses, referring back to the subject of the main clause, when the subordinate clause represents the words or thoughts of that subject:
Impetrat
a
senatu
ut
dies
sibi
prorogaretur. —Cicero, Against Verres 2.1.98
Translation
He obtained leave from the Senate for an extension of time.
More literally: He obtains from the Senate that the day might be postponed for him(self).
Details
Impetrat
is the third person singular form of impetrō, impetrāre, impetrāvī, impetrātum (1): to gain one’s end, achieve, obtain, procure (by request or influence) (it’s in the historical present). Ab/
ā
(prep.): (away) from; by (takes the ablative). Senātū
is the ablative singular form of senātus, senātūs (4m): senate. Ut
(conj. , with subjunctive): that, so that. Diēs, diēī (5m/f): day. Sibi: to/for him(self)—the dative form of the reflexive pronoun. Prōrogārētur
is the third person singular imperfect passive subjunctive form of prōrogō, prōrogāre, prōrogāvī, prōrogātum (1): to prolong, extend; put off, postpone.
Petit
ab
his
omnibus
ut
se
frumento
iuvent. —Caesar, The Civil War 1.60.3
Translation
He asked all of them to help him with provisions.
More literally: He requests from all these that they help him(self) with grain.
Details
Petit
is the third person singular form of petō, petere, petīvī/petiī, petītum (3): to direct one’s course to, make for; aim at; go for, attack; seek; ask, request. Ab
/ā (prep.): (away) from; by (takes the ablative). Hīs
is the m/f/n (here m) ablative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it (these, them). Omnibus
is the m/f/n ablative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): every; all. Ut
(conj. , with subjunctive): that, so that. Sē: him(self)—the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun. Frūmentō
is the ablative singular form of frūmentum, frūmentī (2n): corn, grain. Iuvent
is the third person plural subjunctive form of iuvō, iuvāre, iūvī, iūtum (1): to help, benefit, avail; delight, gratify, please. (The verbs are in the historical present.)
Confusion warning. The form suī can be either the genitive of the reflexive pronoun that we’re dealing with here (of himself, of herself, of itself, of themselves, of oneself) or the m/n genitive singular or masculine nominative plural form of the reflexive possessive adjective suus/sua/suum (1/2): his/her/it/their/one’s (own). See suus/sua/suum for examples of the adjectival uses. (The genitive forms of personal pronouns, including the reflexive, aren’t used to convey possession; that job is done by adjectives like suus/sua/suum.)
Tū
Tū (pron.): you—singular; i.e., it’s used to address or refer to one person. The plural you (referring to two or more people at a time) is vōs and has its own entry.
Tu
hodie
ista
denuntias. —Seneca, Epistles 76.33
Translation
Today it is you who threaten me with these terrors.
(Chicago:) You make such proclamations on this day only.
More literally: You declare these things today.
Details
(But I have always threatened myself with them.)
Tū: you. Hodiē
(adv.): today. Ista
is the neuter accusative plural form if iste/ista/istud (pron.): this, that; he, she, it (those/these things). Dēnūntiās
is the second person singular form of dēnūntiō, dēnūntiāre, dēnūntiāvī, dēnūntiātum (1): to announce, declare; command; threaten.
Non
possum
desiderium
tui
sustinere. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 1.8.11
Translation
I cannot bear the lack of you.
More literally: I am not able to bear the need of you.
Details
Nōn: not. Possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can. Dēsīderium
is the accusative singular form of dēsīderium, dēsīderiī (2n): longing; need (it frequently takes an objective genitive). Tuī
is the genitive form of tū: you (of you). Sustineō, sustinēre, sustinuī, sustentum (2): to hold up, support; maintain, preserve; endure, bear, withstand.
Idem
tibi
de
bonis
dico. —Seneca, Epistles 66.44
Translation
(Chicago:) I say the same to you about goods.
Details
(They arise among pleasures and among sorrows.)
Idem
is the neuter accusative singular form of īdem/eadem/idem (pron.): the same. Tibi
is the dative form of tū: you (to you). Dē
(prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes ablative). Bonīs
is the ablative plural form of bonum, bonī (2n): a good thing or that which is good, a good or the good. Dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say.
Inimici
tibi
nepotes
precantur. —Seneca the Elder, Controversies 7.6.6
Translation
Your enemies pray for you to have grandchildren.
More literally: Your enemies pray for grandchildren for you.
Details
Inimīcī
is the nominative plural form of inimīcus, inimīcī (2m): enemy. Tibi
is the dative form of tū: you (to/for you). Nepōtēs
is the accusative plural form of nepōs, nepōtis (3m): grandson, grandchild, descendant. Precantur
is the third person singular form of precor, precārī, precātus sum (1, deponent): to pray, beg (the thing prayed for is in the accusative).
Hodie
mihi, cras
tibi. —time-honored epitaph
Translation
Today it’s me, tomorrow it will be you.
More literally: Today for me, tomorrow for you.
Details
Hodiē
(adv.): today. Mihi
is the dative form of ego: I (to/for me). Crās
(adv.): tomorrow. Tibi
is the dative form of tū: you (to/for you).
Medice, cura
te
ipsum. —Luke 4:23
Translation
Details
(Solve your own problems before trying to help others.)
Medice
is the vocative singular form of medicus, medicī (2m): doctor, physician. Cūrā
is the singular imperative form of cūrō, cūrāre, cūrāvī, cūrātum (1): to take care of, look after; care (for or about); cure, heal. Tē
is the accusative form of tū: you. Ipsum
is the m/n accusative singular form of ipse/ipsa/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/oneself/etc. ; in person; the very (ipsum
isn’t necessary to the grammar of the sentence; it’s an intensifier).
Conduxi
domum
a
te. —Seneca, On Benefits 7.5.2
Translation
I have rented a house from you.
Details
Condūcō, condūcere, condūxī, conductum (3): to draw together, collect; hire; rent; borrow (money). Domum
is the accusative singular form of domus, domūs (2/4f): house, home. Ab/
ā
(prep.): (away) from; by (takes the ablative). Tē
is the ablative form of tū: you.
Here as with other personal pronouns, with you is expressed by sticking the preposition cum at the end of the ablative form—i.e., tēcum rather than cum tē.
Ad
arbitrium
tecum
veniam. —Seneca, Consolation to Marcia 4.1
Translation
I will come with you before an arbiter.
More literally: I will come with you to arbitration.
Details
Ad
(prep.): to, toward (takes the accusative). Arbitrium
is the accusative singular form of arbitrium, arbitriī (2n): arbitration; the decision of an arbitrator; authority, power; wish, desire, inclination. Tēcum: with you (tē = you; cum = with). Veniam
is the first person singular future form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come.
Note that the genitive forms of personal pronouns aren’t used to describe possession. That role is filled by possessive adjectives such as tuus/tua/tuum (1/2): your, yours. See Chapter 34 of The Latin Tamer for details.
Vōs
Vōs (pron.): you (plural). Vōs is used to address two or more people at a time. The singular you —addressing one person—is tū and has its own entry.
Ilium
vicit
pater, vos
diruistis. —Seneca, Trojan Women 235-6
Translation
Father conquered Troy, you people demolished it.
Details
Īlium
is the accusative singular form Īlium, Īliī (2n): Troy. Vīcit
is the third person singular perfect form of vincō, vincere, vīcī, victum (3): to conquer, defeat, overcome. Pater, patris (3m): father. Vōs: you (pl.). Dīruistis
is the second person plural perfect form of dīruō, dīruere, dīruī, dīrutum (3): to pull down, demolish, destroy.
Vultis
liberos
sumere? Vobis
illos
sustuli. —Seneca, On Providence 5.5
Translation
Do you wish to take my children? —it was for you that I raised them.
Details
(A brave man’s words to the gods.)
Vultis
is the second person plural form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want; be willing. Līberōs
is the accusative form of līberī, līberōrum (2m, plural only): children (in respect to their parents), sons and daughters. Sūmō, sūmere, sūmpsī, sūmptum (3): to take; assume, adopt. Vōbīs
is the dative form of vōs: you (pl.). Illōs
is the masculine accusative plural form of ille/illa/illum (pron.): that; he, she, it (those, them). Tollō, tollere, sustulī, sublātum (3): to pick up, lift (up), raise; pick up a child to acknowledge and raise it; take away, remove, do away with.
Arma
dedi
vobis. —Ovid, The Art of Love 2.741
Translation
Details
Arma
is the accusative form of arma, armōrum (2n, plural only): arms, weapons; armor. Dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give; assign, attribute. Vōbīs
is the dative form of vōs: you (pl.).
Ego
vos
sequor, non
duco. —Seneca, Thyestes 489
Translation
I am following you, not leading.
Details
Ego: I. Vōs
is the accusative form of vōs: you (pl.). Sequor, sequī, secūtus sum (3, deponent): to follow. Nōn: not. Dūcō, dūcere, dūxī, ductum (3): to lead, guide, bring, take (to a place); draw; think, consider.
Spes
est
omnis
in
vobis. —Cicero, Letters to Friends 12.2.3
Translation
All our hope lies in yourselves.
Details
(He’s writing to Cassius and is referring to Cassius and Brutus.)
Spēs, speī (5f): hope; expectation. Est: is. Omnis/
omnis
/omne (3): all; every. In
(prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Vōbīs
is the ablative form of vōs: you (pl.).
As with other personal pronouns, the preposition cum gets attached at the end of the ablative form vōbīs instead of preceding it. So with you (pl.) is vōbīscum rather than cum vōbīs.
Me
una
vobiscum
servare
non
possum. —Caesar, The Gallic War 7.50.4
Translation
I cannot save myself together with you.
Details
(. . . but I can die to allow you to live. Spoken by a centurion before rushing into battle.)
Mē
is the accusative form of ego: I (me, myself). Ūnā
(adv.): together. Vōbīscum: with you (vōbīs = you (pl.); cum = with). Servō, servāre, servāvī, servātum (1): to save; protect; keep. Nōn: not. Possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can.
Vōs has two genitive forms: vestrum and vestrī. Neither of those forms is typically used to denote possession in the way the genitive case usually does. Like other personal pronouns, vōs has a derived possessive adjective to do that job: vester/vestra/vestrum (1/2): your, yours (with plural owner). Vestrum is used, rather, as a partitive genitive to talk about part of a group (i.e., in expressions like some of you, none of you, who of you). Vestrī is used in other contexts. Examples:
Neminem
vestrum
fallit. —Cicero, In Defense of Sestius 115
Translation
Not one of you fails to understand.
More literally: It escapes none of you.
Details
Nēminem
is the accusative form of nēmō, nēminis (3m): no one. Vestrum
is the (partitive) genitive form of vōs: you (pl.). Fallit
is the third person singular form of fallō, fallere, fefellī, falsum (3): to deceive; escape the notice of; disappoint; (in the passive) be mistaken.
Habetis
ducem
memorem
vestri, oblitum
sui. —Cicero, Against Catiline 4.19
Translation
You have as your leader a man who is heedless of himself and thinks only of you.
More literally: You have a leader mindful of you, forgetful of himself (having forgotten himself).
Details
Habētis
is the second person plural form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. Ducem
is the accusative singular form of dux, ducis (3m/f): leader. Memorem
is the m/f accusative singular form of memor, memoris (3, adj.): mindful, remembering. Vestrī
is the genitive form of vōs: you (pl.). Oblītum
is the m/n accusative singular form of oblītus/oblīta/oblītum (1/2), the perfect active participle (having forgotten) of oblīvīscor, oblīvīscī, oblītus sum (3, deponent): to forget (often takes a genitive object). Suī: (of) himself—the genitive form of the reflexive pronoun.
Default Statcounter code for Latin Tamer Online https: //latinlanguage. org