Language/Latin/Grammar/Pronouns
Hi Latin learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will dive into the world of pronouns in Latin. Pronouns are essential to master the Latin language, as they are used to replace nouns in a sentence, making it easier and more concise. So let's get started!
Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns are used to replace nouns referring to people, animals, or things. Let's have a look at the personal pronouns in Latin:
Latin | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
ego | /ˈeɡoː/ | I, me |
tu | /tuː/ | you |
is, ea, id | /is, ɛa, id/ | he, she, it |
nos | /noːs/ | we, us |
vos | /woːs/ | you all |
ei, eae, ea | /ɛi, ɛaɛ, ɛa/ | they |
For example:
- Person 1: Cur ego discipulus sum? (/kur ˈɛɡoː diˈkɪpuluːs sʊm/ ~ Why am I a student?)
- Person 2: Quia tu studes. (/kwi.a tuː ˈstuːdɛs/ ~ Because you study.)
Notice the use of the personal pronouns here, replacing the nouns "I" and "you".
Demonstrative Pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns are used to point out or identify a specific person, place, or thing.
The demonstrative pronouns in Latin are:
Latin | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
hic, haec, hoc | /hik, haek, hɔk/ | this |
is, ea, id | /is, ɛa, id/ | that |
ille, illa, illud | /ˈɪl.lɛ, ˈɪl.la, ˈɪl.lʊd/ | that (far) |
For example:
- Person 1: Hic liber meus est. (/hik li.bɛr mɛus ɛst/ ~ This is my book.)
- Person 2: Ille liber Marcus. (/ˈɪl.lɛ ˈli.bɛr ˈmar.kus/ ~ That book is Marcus'.)
Notice how "hic" and "ille" are used to point out a specific book, while "is" refers to a book that has already been mentioned and "ea" and "id" can be used for objects regardless of gender.
Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns are used to introduce a subordinate clause, providing more information about the main clause.
The relative pronouns in Latin are:
Latin | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
qui, quae, quod | /kwi, kwaɛ, kwɔd/ | who, which |
For example:
- Person 1: Puella, quae in via est, est mea soror. (/ˈpuː.ɛl.la, kwaɛ ɪn ˈwi.a ɛst, ɛst ˈme.a ˈsɔ.ror/ ~ The girl who is in the street is my sister.)
- Person 2: Marcus, cuius pater in Italia habitat, est bonus vir. (/ˈmar.kus, ˈkwi.ʊs ˈpa.tɛr ɪn i.ˈta.lɪ.a ˈha.bi.tat, ɛst ˈbo.nus ˈwɪr/ ~ Marcus, whose father lives in Italy, is a good man.)
Interrogative Pronouns
Interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions.
The interrogative pronouns in Latin are:
Latin | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
quis, quae, quid | /kwɪs, kwɛ, kwɪd/ | who, what |
ubi | /ˈu.bɪ/ | where |
For example:
- Person 1: Quis is est? (/kwɪs is ɛst/ ~ Who is he?)
- Person 2: Est Marcus, filius meus. (/ɛst ˈmar.kus, ˈfi.lɪ.ʊs ˈme.us/ ~ He is Marcus, my son.)
Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns are used to refer to an unspecified person or thing, or to express general or uncertain ideas.
The indefinite pronouns in Latin are:
Latin | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
aliquis, aliqua, aliquid | /a.ˈlɪ.kʷɪs, a.ˈli.kwa, a.ˈlɪ.kʷɪd/ | someone, something |
quisquam, quidquam | /ˈkʷɪs.kʷam, ˈkwɪd.kʷam/ | anyone, anything |
quisque | /ˈkʷɪs.kʷɛ/ | everyone, everything |
For example:
- Person 1: Vis aliquid bibere? (/wɪs a.ˈlɪ.kʷɪd.bɪ.ˈbe.rɛ/ ~ Do you want something to drink?)
- Person 2: Non, nihil volo. (/noːn, ˈni.hɪl ˈwo.loː/ ~ No, I don't want anything.)
Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns are used to refer back to the subject of the sentence.
The reflexive pronouns in Latin are:
Latin | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
egoipsum | /e.ˈɡoɪp.sʊm/ | myself |
teipsum | /tɛ.ˈɪp.sʊm/ | yourself |
sese | /ˈsɛ.sɛ/ | himself, herself, itself |
nosmetipsos | /noːs.ˈme.tɪp.sos/ | ourselves |
vestrametipsam | /ˈwɛs.tram.əˈtɪp.səm/ | yourselves |
se | /sɛ/ | themselves |
For example:
- Person 1: Egoipsum iratus sum. (/e.ˈɡoɪp.sʊm i.ˈra.tʊs sʊm/ ~ I am angry with myself.)
- Person 2: Cur? (/kur/ ~ Why?)
Summary
In this lesson, we learned the different types of pronouns in Latin, including personal, demonstrative, relative, interrogative, indefinite, and reflexive pronouns. Practice is key when it comes to mastering pronouns, so don't be afraid to make mistakes and ask questions. To further improve your Latin Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Sources
Videos
Latin Personal Pronoun Song (ego, tū, nōs, vōs) - YouTube
The Latin Relative Pronoun: qui, quae, quod - YouTube
Related Lessons
- Possessive Case in Latin
- Parts of speech Latin
- Definite Articles in Latin
- Plurals
- How to Use Be
- Latin Nouns
- Prepositions
- Past Participle in Latin
- How to Use Have
- Conditional Mood