SM-Introduction to Latin — Catholic Thinkers

STUDY MATERIALS: Introduction to Latin

Thomas P. Scheck, Ph.D.

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Assignments

Lecture 1: Introduction and Verbs

1. Give the definitions of person, number, tense, voice, mood.

2. Give the four principal parts of sum. Identify what they are and translate them.

3. Conjugate and translate sum in the present, imperfect and future indicative.

4. State and translate the four principal parts of paro, moneo, duco, capio, and audio.

5. How do we know to which conjugation a verb belongs?

6. How does one distinguish 2nd and 3rd conjugation verbs?

Lecture 2: More Verbs

1. Identify and translate the four principal parts of the model verbs.

2. What distinguishes 3rd conjugation -io verbs?

3. How does one identify a 4th conjugation verb?

4. What is the key to identifying a verb's conjugation?

5. Identify the conjugation of the following verbs: sanctifico, advenio, do, dimitto, induco, libero.

6. Conjugate the model verbs in the present, active, indicative. Translate these forms.

7. Conjugate and translate the model verbs in the imperfect, active indicative.

8. What is the tense sign of the imperfect tense?

9. Conjugate and translate the model verbs in the future, active indicative.

10. What vowels do 3rd conjugation verbs use in the present and future tense? What learning device exists to help one remember this?

Lecture 3: Active Verbs Concluded

1. How is the perfect, active indicative formed.

2. Conjugate and translate the model verbs in the perfect, active indicative.

3. Conjugate and translate the model verbs in the pluperfect, active indicative.

4. Conjugate and translate sanctifico and dimitto in the present, future, and perfect, active indicative.

Lecture 4: Passive Verbs

1. Conjugate and translate the model verbs in the present, passive indicative.

2. Conjugate and translate the model verbs in the imperfect, passive indicative.

3. Conjugate and translate the model verbs in the future, passive indicative.

4. How is the perfect, passive indicative formed?

5. Conjugate and translate the model verbs in the perfect, passive indicative.

6. How is the pluperfect, passive indicative formed?

7. Conjugate and translate the model verbs in the pluperfect, passive indicative.

Lecture 5: Nouns

1. What is inflection, conjugation, and declension?

2. What is gender, number, case?

3. What is indicated by the noun cases: nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, ablative, vocative?

4. Decline and translate porta in the singular and plural. How are first declension nouns recognized?

5. Decline and translate amicus and donum in the singular and plural. How are nouns of the 2nd declension identified?

6. Decline and translate rex and corpus in the singular and plural. How are nouns of the 3rd declension recognized?

7. Why is it essential to memorize the genitive singular of Latin nouns?

8. Decline and translate fructus and cornu in the singular and plural. How are 4th declension nouns characterized?

Lecture 6: Nouns and Adjectives

1. Write out the endings of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th declension nouns.

2. How is the 5th declension characterized?

3. Decline and translate dies in the singular and plural.

4. Decline vis in the singular and plural. How can one remember this declension?

5. Adjectives agree with the nouns they modify in what three respects?

6. Decline potens in the singular and plural.

7. Decline nomen, voluntas, terra, and dominus in the singular and plural.

Lecture 7: Participles, Imperatives, Subjunctives, Pronouns

1. Give the definition of a participle.

2. What are the four Latin participles and how are they formed?

3. What is an imperative and how is it formed?

4. What does the ditty "dic, duc, fac, and fer are missing the "e's" that should be there" refer to?

5. What does the subjunctive mood indicate.

6. How can one remember subjunctive vowel changes in the present active subjunctive for the four conjugations?

7. What does "We beat all liars" indicate.

8. Practice the declensions of the pronouns and demonstrative adjectives.

Lecture 8: Translating: Pater Noster and Ave Maria

1. Review the vocabulary of the Pater Noster and the Ave Maria. Identify the declension of nouns and the conjugations of verbs.

2. Re-read the Latin text of the Pater Noster and the Ave Maria and identify the cases of all nouns and the tenses of all verbs.

Lecture 9: Translating: Gloria and Magnificat

1. Identify the case, number and gender of all nouns in the Gloria.

2. Identify the person, number, tense, voice and mood of all verbs in the Magnificat.

3. Review the vocabulary of the Gloria and the Magnificat. Identify the declension of nouns and the conjugations of verbs.

Lecture 10: Translating: Nunc dimittis and Apostles' Creed

1. Review the vocabulary of the Nunc dimittis and Apostles' Creed. Identify the declension of nouns and the conjugations of verbs.

2. Identify the case, number and gender of all nouns in the Nunc dimittis.

3. Identify the person, number, tense, voice and mood of all verbs in the first half of the Apostles' Creed.

Lecture 11: Translating: Apostles's Creed and St. John 1:1.

1. Identify the declension of nouns and conjugation of verbs in the second half of the Apostles' Creed.

2. Identify the tenses of all verbs in the second half of the Apostles' Creed.

3. Identify the cases of the nouns in the second half of the Apostles' Creed.

4. Review the vocabulary of John 1:1-18. Identify the declension of nouns and conjugation of verbs.

Lecture 12: Translating: St. John 1:2-18

1. Identify the tenses of the verbs in John 1.2-18.

2. Identify the cases of the nouns in John 1.2-18.

Readings

Paternoster

Pater noster, qui es in caelis:
sanctificetur nomen tuum;
adveniat regnum tuum;
fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo, et in terra.
Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie;
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris;
et ne nos inducas in temptationem;
sed libera nos a malo. Amen.

Ave Maria

Ave Maria, gratia plena,
Dominus tecum, benedicta tu in mulieribus,
et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus.
Sancta Maria, mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus
nunc et in hora mortis nostrae.

Gloria

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto,
Sicut erat in principio
Et nunc et semper
Et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Magnificat

Magnificat anima mea Dominum,
et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo salvatore meo,
quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae.
Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes,
Quia fecit mihi magna, qui potens est,
et sanctum nomen eius.
Et misericordia eius in progenies et progenies timentibus eum.
Fecit potentiam in brachio suo.
Dispersit superbos mente cordis sui;
deposuit potentes de sede,
et exaltavit humiles;
esurientes implevit bonis
Et divites dimisit inanes.
Suscepit Israel puerum suum,
recordatus misericordiae,
sicut locutus est ad patres nostros,
Abraham et semini eius in saecula.

Nunc Dimittis

Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine,
secundum verbum tuum in pace,
quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum,
quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum,
lumen ad revelationem gentium
et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.

Symbolum Apostolorum (The Apostles' Creed)

Credo in Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, Creatorem caeli et terrae.
Et in Iesum Christum, Filium eius unicum, Dominum nostrum;
Qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine,
passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus.
Descendit ad inferos; tertia die resurrexit a mortuis.
Ascendit ad caelos; sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis;
Inde venturus est judicare vivos et mortuos.
Credo in Spiritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam,
Sanctorum communionem, remissionem peccatorum,
Carnis resurrectionem, vitam aeternam. Amen.

John 1:1-18

1. In principio erat Verbum, et Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus erat Verbum.

2. Hoc erat in principio apud Deum.

3. Omnia per ipsum facta sunt, et sine ipso factum est nihil, quod factum est.

4. In ipso vita erat, et vita erat lux hominum.

5. Et lux in tenebris lucet, et tenebrae eam non comprehenderunt.

6. Fuit homo missus a Deo, cui nomen erat Johannes.

7. Hic venit in testimonium, ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine, ut omnes crederent per illum.

8. Non erat ille lux, sed ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine.

9. Erat lux vera, quae illuminat omnem hominem, veniens in mundum.

10. In mundo erat, et mundus per ipsum factus est, et mundus eum non cognovit.

11. In propria venit, et sui eum non receperunt.

12. Quotquot autem acceperunt eum, dedit eis potestatem filios Dei fieri, his, qui credunt in nomine eius,

13. Qui non ex sanguinibus, neque ex voluntate carnis, neque ex voluntate viri, sed ex deo nati sunt [natus est].

14. Et Verbum caro factum est et habitavit in nobis; et vidimus gloriam eius, gloriam quasi Unigeniti a Patre, plenum gratiae et veritatis.

15. Iohannes testimonium perhibet de ipso et clamat dicens: "Hic erat, quem dixi: Qui post me venturus est, ante me factus est, quia prior me erat."

16. Et de plenitudine eius nos omnes accepimus, et gratiam pro gratia;

17. Quia lex per Moysen data est, gratia et veritas per Iesum Christum facta est.

18. Deum nemo vidit umquam; unigenitus Deus, qui est in sinum [sinu] Patris, ipse enarravit.

Vocabulary

Pater Noster

pater, patris m. = father
noster, nostra nostrum = our
qui, quae, quod = who, what, which
sum, esse, fui, futurum = to be
in + abl = in
caelum, caeli n = heaven, sky
sanctifico, sanctificare, santificavi, sanctificatum = to sanctify
nomen, nominis n = name
advenio, advenire, adveni, adventum = to come, arrive
regnum, regni n = kingdom
tuus -a -um = your
fio, fieri, factus sum = to become
voluntas, voluntatis f = will
sicut = just as
et = and
terra, terrae f = earth
panis, panis m = bread
cotidianus -a -um = daily
do, dare, dedi, datum = to give
hodie = today
dimitto, dimittere, dimisi, dimissum = to forgive, dismiss
debitum, debiti n = debt
ne + subj. = That not
induco, inducere, induxi, inductum = to lead, lead in
in + acc = into
temptatio, temptationis f = temptation, testing
sed = but
libero, liberare, liberavi, liberatum = to free
a + abl = from
malum, mali n = [an] evil
malus -a -um = evil

Ave Maria

Ave = Hail!
Maria, Mariae f. = Mary
dominus, domini m. = Lord
plenus -a -um + abl. = full
cum + abl. = with
benedictus -a -um = blessed
mulier, mulieris f. = woman
fructus, fructus m. = fruit
venter, ventris m. = womb, belly
oro, orare, oravi, oratum = to pray
pro + abl. = for
peccator, peccatoris m. = sinner
nunc = now
hora, horae f. = hour
mors, mortis f. = death

Gloria

gloria, gloriae f. = glory
pater, patris m. = Father
et = and
filius, filii m. = Son
spiritus, spiritus m. = Spirit
sanctus -a -um = holy
sicut = Just as
principium, principii n. = beginning
nunc = Now
semper = always
saeculum, saeculi n. = age, epoch

Magnificat

magnifico, magnificare, magnificavi, magnificatum = to glorify
anima, animae f. = soul
meus -a -um = my
dominus, domini m. = Lord
exsulto, exsultare, exsultavi, exsultatum = to exult
deus, dei m. = God
salvator, salvatoris m. = Savior
quia = since
respicio, respicere, respexi, respectus = to look upon
humilitas, humilitatis f. = humility
ancilla, ancillae f. = maidservant
suus -a -um = one's own
ecce = behold
enim = for
ex + abl. = from, because of
dico, dicere, dixi, dictum = to say, call
beatus -a -um = blessed
omnis, omne = all
generatio, generationis f. = generation
potens = powerful
facio, facere, feci, factum = to make, do
magnus -a -um = great
misericordia, misericordiae f. = mercy
progenies, progeniei f. = progeny, offspring, family
timeo, timere, timui, -- = to fear
potentia, potentiae f. = power
brachium, brachii n. = arm
disperdo, disperdere, dispersi, dispersum = disperse, scatter
superbus -a -um = proud
mens, mentis f. = mind, conceit
cor, cordis n. = heart
depono, deponere, deposui, depositum = cast down, depose
de + abl. = From
sedes, sedis m. = Seat, throne
exalto, exaltare, exaltavi, exaltatum = exalt
humilis, humile = Humble
esurio, esurire, --, esuritum = to be hungry
impleo, implere, implevi, impletum = to fill, fulfill
bonus -a -um = good
dives, divitis = rich
inanis = -is = -e = empty
suscipio, suscipere, suscepi, susceptum = receive
puer, pueri m. = boy, child
recordor, recordari, recordatus sum = remember
loquor, loqui, locutus sum = to speak
semen, seminis n. = seed

Nunc Dimittis

nunc = Now
dimitto, dimittere, dimisi, dimissum = dismiss, forgive
servus, servi m. = slave, servant
tuus -a -um = your
secundum + acc. = according to
verbum, verbi n. = word
pax, pacis f. = peace
video, videre, visi, visum = to see
oculus, oculi m. = eye
salutaris, is, e = beneficial, salvation-bringing
quod = because
paro, parare, paravi, paratum = to prepare
facies, faciei f. = face
populus, populi m. = people
lumen, luminis n. = light
revelatio, revelationis f. = revelation
gens, gentis, f. = nation, gentile
plebs, plebis, f. = people

Symbolum Apostolorum (The Apostles' Creed)

credo, credere, credidi, creditum = to believe
omnipotens = almighty
creator, creatoris m. = creator
Iesus, Iesu m. = Jesus
unicus -a -um = only, unique
concipio, concipere, concepi, conceptum = to conceive
nascor, nasci, natus sum = to be born
virgo, virginis f. = virgin, maiden
patior, pati, passus sum = to suffer
sub + abl. = under
crucifigo, crucifigere, crucifixi, crucifixum = to crucify
mortuus -a -um = dead
sepultus -a -um = buried
descendo, descendere, descendi, descensum = to descend
inferus -a -um = lower, below; hell
tertius -a -um = third
dies, diei m. = day
ascendo, ascendere, ascendi, ascensum = to ascend
sedeo, sedere, sedi, sessum = to sit
dexterus -a -um = right
inde = whence
iudico, iudicare, iudicavi, iudicatum = to judge
vivus -a -um = living
ecclesia, ecclesiae f. = Church
catholicus, -a -um = Catholic
communio, communionis f. = communion
remissio, remissionis f. = forgiveness
peccatum, peccati n. = sin
caro / carnis, carnis f. = flesh
resurrectio, resurrectionis f. = resurrection
vita, vitae f. = life
aeternus -a -um = eternal

John 1:1-18

principium, principii n. = beginning
Verbum, verbi n. = word
apud + acc. = with
Deus, dei m. = God
omnis, omne = all
facio, facere, feci, factum = do, make
sine + abl. = without, apart from
nihil n. = nothing
vita, vitae f. = life
lux, lucis f. = light
homo, hominis m. = man
tenebrae, tenebrarum f. pl. = darkness
comprehendo, comprehendere, comprehendi, comprehensum = comprehend
mitto, mittere, misi, missus = send
venio, venire, veni, ventum = to come
testimonium, testimonii n. = testimony
perhibeo, perhibere, perhibui, perhibitus = bear, assert, maintain
lumen, luminis n. = Light
credo, credere, credidi, creditum = to believe
per + acc. = Through
illumino, illuminare, illuminavi, illuminatus = to enlighten
mundus, mundi m. = world
cognosco, cognoscere, cognovi, cognitus = to know
proprius -a -um = one's own
recipio, recipere, recepi, receptus = to receive
quotquot = as many as
autem = however
accipio, accipere, accepi, acceptum = to receive
potestas, potestatis f. = power
sanguis, sanguinis m. = blood, descent
vir, viri m. = man
habito, habitare, habitavi, habitatum = to dwell
Unigenitus, Unigeniti m. = Only-begotten
veritas, veritatis f. = truth
clamo, clamare, clamavi, clamatus = shout
post + acc. = after
prior = before
ante + acc. = before
plenitudo, plenitudinis f. = fulness
lex, legis f. = law
nemo, neminis m. = no one
umquam = ever
sinus, sinus m. = bosom, fold, cavity
enarro, enarrare, enarravi, enarratum = to narrate, explain

Verbs

Latin Verbal System: Four Conjugations

Step One: Memorize the Four Principal Parts

First Conjugation

laudo laudare laudavi laudatum

amo amare amavi amatum

Second Conjugation

moneo monere monui monitum

video videre visi visum

Third Conjugation

ago agere egi actum

duco ducere duxi ductum

Fourth Conjugation

audio audire audivi auditum

venio venire veni ventum

Third Conjugation -io verbs

facio facere feci factum

capio capere cepi captum

Latin Verbal System: Sum, esse, fui, futurus

Singular

1st

2nd

3rd

Plural

1st

2nd

3rd

Present

sum

est

sumus

estis

sunt

Imperfect

eram

eras

erat

eramus

eratis

erant

Future

ero

eris

erit

erimus

eritis

erint

Perfect

fui

fuisti

fuit

fuimus

fuistis

fuerunt