Latin stream/Second Declension

Latin nouns are divided into five declensions, plus irregulars. Most second declension nouns are of the masculine gender. The second declension endings are as follows in the singular: Our example word will be: vir, viri, m. Man.

Case Example Ending
Nominative Vir -r or -us
Genitive Viri -i
Dative Viro -o
Accusative Virum -um
Ablative Viro -o


Here is the plural:

Case Example Ending
Nominative Viri -i
Genitive Virorum -orum
Dative Viris -is
Accusative Viros -os
Ablative Viris -is

Common second declension masculine nouns:
Ager, agri, m. field
Gladius, gladii, m. sword
Oculus, oculi, m. eye
Puer, pueri, m. boy
Servus, servi, m. slave

Now, second declension also accommodates neuter nouns, but the endings are slightly different. Neuter nouns are as the declension given above, with the following exceptions (using Pilum, -i, n. javelin, as an example word):

Case Example Ending
Nominative (sing.) Pilum -um
Nominative (plural) Pila -a
Accusative (plural) Pila -a

Common second declension neuter nouns:
Bellum, belli, n. war
Periculum, periculi, n. danger
Regnum, regni, n. kindgom
saxum, saxi, n. rock


Note that the nominative and accusative forms are the same in both the singular and the plural.

See Also

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Declensions

First Declension