Latin/Imperatives Lesson 3

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In today’s lesson, we’ll continue with the imperative mood, used to give commands. Please note that this is not the only way of giving a command or request; later on we’ll need to understand the subjunctive mood, which is used for commands and many other functions in Latin. Also we introduce an interjection, ecce which was used for a great many purposes, including in an imperative sense for “look” or behold”.

Often taught alongside the imperative mood is the “vocative” case. This is the case (of nouns) used for direct address. It is identical to the nominative for all plural nouns, and for most singular nouns as well. The only time we need to use a different ending is for nouns (and adjectives) of the 2nd conjugation ending in –us. Then, the –us ending becomes –e, except if the noun ends in –ius normally, and then it becomes –ī. So for example, amīcus becomes amīce; fīlius becomes fīlī; puer stays the same. There are some other exceptions, but it isn’t that difficult. The vocative usually does not stand first in the sentence.


New Vocabulary edit

Latin English Audio (Classical) Notes
ecce (interjection) behold!, look!, here is, there is
surgō, surgere, surrēxī, surrēctus, 3 stand up, get up

New Sentences edit

Latin English Notes
Ecce pāpiliō! Look at the butterfly!
Ecce! Gāius venit! Behold/look! Gaius is coming!
Ecce domus mea. Here is my house.
Ecce Paula. There is Paula.
Estō fortis. / Estōte fortēs. Be brave/ strong.
Estō benignus (benigna). / Estōte benignī (benignae). Be kind.
Stā / Stāte cum līberīs. Stand with the children.
Surge! / Surgite! Stand up!
Sedē. / Sedēte. Sit down.
Salvē, Mārce! Greetings, Marcus!
Salvē, amīce! Greetings, friend!
Currē, Gāī! Run, Gaius!
Currē, puer! Run, boy!
Festīnā, fīlī mi! Hurry, my son!
Festīnāte, līberī! Hurry, children!
Dīc mihi, frāter! Tell me, brother!
Pōne, Mārce, pānem in mēnsam! Marcus, put the bread on the table!
Eāmus! Let’s go! This is a teaser for the present subjunctive, used in a hortatory sense that can carry the weight of a command. It comes from the irregular verb , and you will note that there is an unexpected vowel used to connect the stem with the ending; this will be characteristic of the subjunctive, when get there.

Practice edit

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We hope you continue to enjoy these lessons. Next we to begin introducing the imperfect tense of verbs. Valēte!