Latin declension

Latin is an inflected language, and as such its nouns, pronouns, and adjectives must be declined (their endings alter to show grammatical case). A set of declined forms of the same word pattern is called a declension. There are five declensions, which are numbered and grouped by ending and grammatical gender. For simple declension paradigms, visit the Wiktionary appendices: first declension, second declension, third declension, fourth declension, fifth declension. Each noun follows one of the five declensions, but some irregular nouns have exceptions.

Grammatical cases

A complete Latin noun declension consists of up to seven grammatical cases: nominative, vocative, accusative, genitive, dative, ablative and locative. However, the locative is limited to names of cities, small islands and a few other words.

They are often abbreviated to the first three letters.

The Latin cases have usually been given in the order NOM-VOC-ACC-GEN-DAT-ABL in Britain and many Commonwealth countries since the publication of Hall Kennedy's Latin Primer (1866). This order reflects the tendencies of different cases to share similar endings (see below). For a discussion of other sequences taught elsewhere, see Instruction in Latin.

However, some didactic approaches or schools teach it in the order NOM-GEN-DAT-ACC-VOC-ABL or NOM-GEN-DAT-ACC-ABL-VOC, the order also used before the Latin Primer by Benjamin Hall Kennedy. This order is used in The School and University Eton Latin Grammar (1861), with the ablative case always cited last, and a similar one is used in grammars of Ancient Greek (except without the ablative case, which does not occur in Greek), and has been retained by some modern didactic approaches to allow comparison of Latin and Greek.

Meanings and functions of the various cases

• The vocative case is used to address someone or something in direct speech. In English, this function is expressed by intonation or punctuation: "Mary, are you going to the store?" or "Mary!" ("Mary" is vocative if addressed).
• The nominative case marks the subject of a statement and denotes the person or object that performs the action of the verb in the sentence. For example, "Mary is going to the store" or "Mary is my sister". It is also used for the predicate: "Mary is my sister". The nominative singular (for adjectives, masculine nominative singular) is used as the reference form of the word.
• The accusative case marks the direct object of a verb. It also has various other functions, e.g. it is governed by some prepositions. It can be used to express motion towards something, with or without a preposition.
• The genitive case expresses possession, measurement, or source. Many of its uses correspond in English to uses of the preposition "of", and in some situations to the English "possessive case".
• The dative case marks the recipient of an action, the indirect object of a verb. In English, the prepositions to and for frequently correspond to this case, though there are also many uses of these prepositions which do not correspond to the dative case.
• The ablative case expresses separation, indirection, or the means by which an action is performed. In English, the prepositions by, with, from, in and on are most commonly used to indicate these meanings.
• The locative case expresses the place where an action is performed. In early Latin the locative case had extensive use, but in Classical Latin the locative case was very rarely used, applying only to the names of cities and small islands and to a few other isolated words. For this purpose, the Romans considered all Mediterranean islands to be "small" except for Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Crete, and Cyprus. Much of the case's function had been absorbed into the ablative. In the singular first and second declension, the locative is identical to the genitive singular form, and in the singular third declension, the locative is identical to the dative singular form. For plural nouns of all declensions, the locative is also identical to the ablative form. The few fourth and fifth declension place names would also use the ablative form for the locative case. However, a few nouns use the locative instead of a preposition: domus → domī "at home", rūs → rūrī "in the country", humus → humī "on the ground", mīlitia → militiae "in military service", "in the field", focus → focī "at the hearth", "at the center of the community". In archaic times, the locative singular of third declension nouns was interchangeable between ablative and dative forms, but in the Augustan period, the use of the dative form became fixed.

Syncretism

Syncretism, where one form in a paradigm shares the ending of another form in the paradigm, is common in Latin. The following are the most notable patterns of syncretism:

Gender-specific

• For pure Latin neuter plural nouns, the nominative, vocative, and accusative all always end in –a.

Case-specific

• The vocative form is the same as the nominative in both singular and plural, except for second declension masculine nouns ending in –us and a few nouns of Greek origin. For example, the vocative of Aeneās is Aenea, although Aeneās is first declension.
• The genitive singular is the same as the nominative plural in first, second, and fourth declension masculine and feminine pure Latin nouns.
• The dative singular is the same as the genitive singular in first and fifth declension pure Latin nouns.
• The dative is always the same as the ablative in the plural, and in the singular in the second declension, the third declension full i-stems (i.e. neuter i-stems, adjectives), and fourth declension neuters.
• The dative, ablative, and locative are identical in the plural.
• The locative is identical to the ablative in the fourth and fifth declensions.

History of cases

Old Latin had essentially two patterns of endings. One pattern was shared by the first and second declensions, which derived from the Proto-Indo-European thematic declension. The other pattern was used by the third, fourth and fifth declensions, and derived from the athematic PIE declension.

Nouns

There are five declensions for Latin nouns:

First declension (a)

Nouns of this declension usually end in –a in the nominative singular and are mostly feminine, e.g. 'road' (via, viae f.) and 'water' (aqua, aquae fem.). There is a small class of masculine exceptions generally referring to occupations, e.g. 'poet' (poēta, poētae m.) and 'sailor' (nauta, nautae masc.).

The predominant letter in the ending forms of this declension is a. The nominative singular form consists of the stem and the ending –a, and the genitive singular form is the stem plus –ae.

	aqua, –ae water f.				poēta, –ae poet m.
	Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural
Nominative	aqua	–a	aquae	–ae	poēta	–a	poētae	–ae
Vocative	aqua	–a	aquae	–ae	poēta	–a	poētae	–ae
Accusative	aquam	–am	aquās	–ās	poētam	–am	poētās	–ās
Genitive	aquae	–ae	aquārum	–ārum	poētae	–ae	poētārum	–ārum
Dative	aquae	–ae	aquīs	–īs	poētae	–ae	poētīs	–īs
Ablative	aquā	–ā	aquīs	–īs	poētā	–ā	poētīs	–īs

The locative endings for the first declension are -ae (singular) and -īs (plural), similar to the genitive singular and ablative plural, as in mīlitiae "in war" and Athēnīs "at Athens".

First declension Greek nouns

The first declension also includes three types of Greek loanwords, derived from Ancient Greek's Alpha Declension. They are declined irregularly in the singular, but are sometimes treated as if they were native Latin nouns, e.g. nominative athlēta instead of the original athlētēs. Interestingly, archaic (Homeric) first declension Greek nouns and adjectives had been formed in exactly the same way as in Latin: nephelēgeréta Zeus (Zeus the cloud-gatherer) had in classical Greek become nephelēgerétēs.

For full paradigm tables and more detailed information, see the Wiktionary appendix First declension.

Second declension (o)

The second declension is a large group of nouns consisting of mostly masculine nouns like equus, equī ("horse") and puer, puerī ("boy") and neuter nouns like castellum, castellī ("fort"). There are several small groups of feminine exceptions, including names of gemstones, plants, trees, and some towns and cities.

In the nominative singular, most masculine nouns consist of the stem and the ending –us, although some end in –er, which is not necessarily attached to the complete stem. Neuter nouns generally have a nominative singular consisting of the stem and the ending –um. However, every second-declension noun has the ending –ī attached as a suffix to the root of the noun in the genitive singular form. The predominant letter in the ending forms of this declension is o.

Masculine

	dominus, –ī master m.
	Singular		Plural
Nominative	dominus	–us	dominī	–ī
Vocative	domine	–e	dominī	–ī
Accusative	dominum	–um	dominōs	–ōs
Genitive	dominī	–ī	dominōrum	–ōrum
Dative	dominō	–ō	dominīs	–īs
Ablative	dominō	–ō	dominīs	–īs

Neuter

	bellum, –ī war n.
	Singular		Plural
Nominative	bellum	–um	bella	–a
Vocative	bellum	–um	bella	–a
Accusative	bellum	–um	bella	–a
Genitive	bellī	–ī	bellōrum	–ōrum
Dative	bellō	–ō	bellīs	–īs
Ablative	bellō	–ō	bellīs	–īs
Locative	bellī	–ī	—

The locative singular ending for the second-declension was -ī, like the genitive singular, as in Corinthī "at Corinth". The locative plural ending for the second-declension was -īs, like the ablative plural, as in Philippīs "at Philippi".

Nouns ending in –ius and –ium have a genitive singular in –ī in earlier Latin, which was regularized to –iī in the later language. Masculine nouns in –ius have a vocative singular in –ī at all stages. These forms in –ī are stressed on the same syllable as the nominative singular, sometimes in violation of the usual Latin stress rule. For example, the genitive and vocative singular Vergilī (from Vergilius) is pronounced [werˈɡiliː], with stress on the penult, even though it is short.

There is no contraction of –iī(s) in plural forms and in locative.

	fīlius, –ī son m.				auxilium, –ī aid, help n.
	Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural
Nominative	fīlius	–ius	fīliī	–iī	auxilium	–ium	auxilia	–ia
Vocative	fīlī	–ī	fīliī	–iī	auxilium	–ium	auxilia	–ia
Accusative	fīlium	–ium	fīliōs	–iōs	auxilium	–ium	auxilia	–ia
Genitive	fīliī (earlier) fīlī	–iī (earlier) –ī	fīliōrum	–iōrum	auxiliī (earlier) auxilī	–iī (earlier) –ī	auxiliōrum	–iōrum
Dative	fīliō	–iō	fīliīs	–iīs	auxiliō	–iō	auxiliīs	–iīs
Ablative	fīliō	–iō	fīliīs	–iīs	auxiliō	–iō	auxiliīs	–iīs

In the older language, nouns ending with –vus, –quus and –vum take o rather than u in the nominative and accusative singular. For example, servus, –ī ("slave") could be servos, accusative servom.

Second declension R nouns

Some masculine nouns of the second declension end in an –er or an –ir in the nominative singular. For such nouns, the genitive singular must be learned to see if the E is dropped. For example, socer, –erī keeps its E. However, the noun magister, –trī ("teacher") drops its E in the genitive singular. Nouns with –ir in the nominative singular never drop the I.

The declension of second declension R nouns is identical to that of the regular second declension, with the exception of the vocative singular, which is identical to the nominative rather than ending in an –e.

For declension tables of second declension nouns, see the corresponding Wiktionary appendix.

Second declension Greek nouns

The second declension contains two types of masculine Greek nouns and one form of neuter Greek noun. These nouns are irregular only in the singular, as are their first declension counterparts. Greek nouns in the second declension are derived from the Omicron Declension.

Some Greek nouns may also be declined as normal Latin nouns. For example, theātron can appear as theātrum.

Irregular forms

The plural of deus (god, deity) is irregular, cf. Wiktionary: deus.
The vocative singular of deus is not attested in Classical Latin. In Ecclesiastical Latin the vocative of Deus (God) is Deus.

In poetry, –ûm may be substituted for –ōrum as the genitive plural ending.

Third declension (including i)

The third declension is the largest group of nouns. The nominative singular of these nouns may end in –a,–e, –ī, –ō, –y, –c, –l, –n, –r, –s, –t, or –x. This group of nouns includes masculine, neuter, and feminine nouns. Examples are flumen, fluminis neut. ("river"), flos, floris masc. ("flower"), and pax, pacis fem. ("peace"). Each noun has the ending –is as a suffix attached to the root of the noun in the genitive singular form. Masculine, feminine and neuter nouns each have their own special nominative singular endings. For instance, many masculine nouns end in an –or (amor). Many feminine nouns end in an –īx (phoenīx), and many neuter nouns end in an –us (onus).

	dux, ducis leader m.				virtūs, virtūtis virtue f.				nōmen, nōminis name n.
	Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural
Nominative	dux	–s1	ducēs	–ēs	virtūs	–s1	virtūtēs	–ēs	nōmen	—1	nōmina	–a
Vocative	dux	–s1	ducēs	–ēs	virtūs	–s1	virtūtēs	–ēs	nōmen	—1	nōmina	–a
Accusative	ducem	–em	ducēs	–ēs	virtūtem	–em	virtūtēs	–ēs	nōmen	—1,2	nōmina	–a
Genitive	ducis	–is	ducum	–um	virtūtis	–is	virtūtum	–um	nōminis	–is	nōminum	–um
Dative	ducī	–ī	ducibus	–ibus	virtūtī	–ī	virtūtibus	–ibus	nōminī	–ī	nōminibus	–ibus
Ablative	duce	–e	ducibus	–ibus	virtūte	–e	virtūtibus	–ibus	nōmine	–e	nōminibus	–ibus

¹ The nominative singular is formed in one of four ways: with –s, with no ending, or by one of these two with a different stem from the oblique cases. The same is true of other forms that are the same as the nominative singular: the vocative singular and the neuter accusative singular.

² The nominative and accusative of neuter nouns are always identical. It should not be assumed that –en is always the appropriate ending, as it might appear above.

The locative endings for the third declension were -ī or -e (singular) and -ibus (plural), as in rūrī "in the country" and Trallibus "at Tralles".

Third declension i-stem nouns

The third declension also has a set of nouns that are declined differently. They are called i-stems. I-stems are broken into two subcategories: pure and mixed. Pure i-stems are indicated by the parisyllabic rule or special neuter endings. Mixed i-stems are indicated by the double consonant rule.

• Masculine & Feminine
  • Parisyllabic Rule: Some masculine and feminine third declension i-stem nouns have the same number of syllables in the genitive as they do in the nominative. For example: amnis, –is. The nominative ends in –is.
  • Double-Consonant Rule: The rest of the masculine and feminine third declension i-stem nouns have two consonants before the –is in the genitive singular. For example: pars, partis
• Neuter
  • Special Neuter Ending: Neuter third declension i-stems have no rule. However, all of them end in –al, –ar or –e. For example: animal, –ālis. This can be remembered with the help of the mnemonic involving a pirate named Al: "Al, ar' e' going pirating today?"

Pure i-stems may exhibit peculiar endings in both singular and plural. Mixed i-stems employ normal (consonant) 3rd declension endings in the singular but i-stem endings in the plural. Note the alternative i-stem endings indicated in parentheses.

	amnis, amnis stream, torrent m. (Pure)				pars, partis part, piece f. (Mixed)				animal, animālis animal, living being n. (Pure)
	Parisyllabic Rule				Double Consonant Rule				Special Neuter Ending
	Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural
Nominative	amnis	–s1	amnēs	–ēs	pars	–s1	partēs	–ēs	animal	—1	animālia	–ia
Vocative	amnis	–s1	amnēs	–ēs	pars	–s1	partēs	–ēs	animal	—1	animālia	–ia
Accusative	amnem	–em (–im)	amnēs	–ēs (–īs)	partem partim	–em –im	partēs	–ēs (–īs)	animal	—1	animālia	–ia
Genitive	amnis	–is	amnium	–ium	partis	–is	partium	–ium	animālis	–is	animālium	–ium
Dative	amnī	–ī	amnibus	–ibus	partī	–ī	partibus	–ibus	animālī	–ī	animālibus	–ibus
Ablative	amne amnī	–e (–ī)	amnibus	–ibus	parte	–e	partibus	–ibus	animālī	–ī	animālibus	–ibus

¹ The nominative singular is formed in one of four ways: with –s, with no ending, or by one of these two with a different stem from the oblique cases. The same is true of other forms that are the same as the nominative singular: the vocative singular and the neuter accusative singular.

The rules for determining i-stems from non-i-stems and "mixed" i-stems should be thought of more as "guidelines" than "rules": even among the Romans themselves, the categorization of a 3rd declension word as an i-stem or non-i-stem was quite fluid. The result is that many words that should be i-stems according to the parisyllabic and consonant stem rules actually are not, such as canis or iuvenis. By the parisyllabic rule, "canis" should be a masculine i-stem and thus differ from the non-i-stems by having an extra –i– in the plural genitive form: "canium". In reality, the plural genitive of "canis" is "canum", the form of a non-i-stem. This fluidity even in Roman times results in much more uncertainty in Medieval Latin, as scholars were trying to imitate what was fluid to begin with.

Peculiarities

In the third declension, there are four irregular nouns.

Case	vīs f. force, power		sūs, suis c. swine, pig, hog		bōs, bovis c. ox, bullock		Iuppiter, Iovis m. Jupiter
	Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural	Singular
Nominative	vīs	vīrēs	sūs	suēs	bōs	bovēs	Iuppiter
Vocative	vīs	vīrēs	sūs	suēs	bōs	bovēs	Iuppiter
Accusative	vim	vīrēs (vīrīs)	suem	suēs	bovem	bovēs	Iovem
Genitive	(rare: vīs)	vīrium	suis	suum	bovis	boum	Iovis
Dative	(rare: vī)	vīribus	suī	suibus, sū̆bus	bovī	bōbus būbus	Iovī
Ablative	vī	vīribus	sue	suibus, sū̆bus	bove	bōbus būbus	Iove

Fourth declension (u)

The fourth declension is a group of nouns consisting of mostly masculine words such as fluctus, fluctūs (masc.) ("a wave")' and portus, portūs (masc.)("a port") with a few feminine exceptions, including manus, manūs (fem.) ("hand"). The fourth declension also includes several neuter nouns including genu, genūs (neut.) ("knee"). Each noun has the ending –ūs as a suffix attached to the root of the noun in the genitive singular form. The predominant letter in the ending forms of this declension is u.

	portus, –ūs port, haven, harbor m.				cornū, –ūs horn, strength n.
	Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural
Nominative	portus	–us	portūs	–ūs	cornū	–ū	cornua	–ua
Vocative	portus	–us	portūs	–ūs	cornū	–ū	cornua	–ua
Accusative	portum	–um	portūs	–ūs	cornū	–ū	cornua	–ua
Genitive	portūs	–ūs	portuum	–uum	cornūs (cornū)	–ūs (–ū)	cornuum	–uum
Dative	portuī	–uī	portibus	–ibus	cornū	–ū (–uī)	cornibus	–ibus
Ablative	portū	–ū	portibus	–ibus	cornū	–ū	cornibus	–ibus

In the dative and ablative plural, -ibus is sometimes replaced with -ubus. This is so for only a few nouns, such as artūs (plurale tantum), "the limbs".

The declension of domus is irregular, cf. Wiktionary: domus.

Fifth declension (e)

The fifth declension is a small group of nouns consisting of mostly feminine nouns like 'affair, matter, thing' (rēs, reī fem.) and 'day' (diēs, diēī usually masculine, except on notable days when it is feminine). Each noun has either the ending –ēī or –eī as a suffix attached to the root of the noun in the genitive singular form.

	diēs, –ēī day m., f.				rēs, –eī thing f.
	Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural
Nominative	diēs	–ēs	diēs	–ēs	rēs	–ēs	rēs	–ēs
Vocative	diēs	–ēs	diēs	–ēs	rēs	–ēs	rēs	–ēs
Accusative	diem	–em	diēs	–ēs	rem	–em	rēs	–ēs
Genitive	diēī	–ēī	diērum	–ērum	reī	–eī	rērum	–ērum
Dative	diēī	–ēī	diēbus	–ēbus	reī	–eī	rēbus	–ēbus
Ablative	diē	–ē	diēbus	–ēbus	rē	–ē	rēbus	–ēbus

Note that nouns ending in iēs have long ēī in the dative and genitive, while nouns ending in a consonant + ēs have short eī in these cases.

The locative ending of the fifth declension was -ē (singular only), identical to the ablative singular, as in hodiē "today".

Pronouns

Relative and demonstrative pronouns are generally declined like first and second declension adjectives, with the following differences:

• the nominatives are often irregular
• the genitive singular ends in –īus rather than –ae or –ī.
• the dative singular ends in –ī: rather than –ae or –ō.

These differences characterize the "pronominal" declension, and a few special adjectives are also declined according to this pattern. The vocative, where applicable, is the same as the nominative for all pronouns.

Personal pronouns

The first and second persons are irregular, and both pronouns are indeclinable for gender.

	First Person		Second Person
	ego, meī I	nōs, nostri we	tū, tuī thou	vōs, vestri ye
	Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural
Nominative	ego	nōs	tū	vōs
Accusative	mē	nōs	tē	vōs
Genitive	meī	nostrī, nostrum	tuī	vestrī, vestrum
Dative	mihi, mihī	nōbīs	tibi, tibī	vōbīs
Ablative	mē	nōbīs	tē	vōbīs

Usually, to show the ablative of accompaniment, cum would be added to the ablative form. However, with personal pronouns and the interrogative (not with 3rd person), cum is added onto the end of the ablative form. For example: mēcum, nōbīscum, tēcum, vōbīscum and quōcum (sometimes quīcum).

	Third Person
	is, eī he, they m.		ea, eae she, they f.		id, ea it, they n.
	Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural
Nominative	is	eī, iī	ea	eae	id	ea
Accusative	eum	eōs	eam	eās	id	ea
Genitive	eius	eōrum	eius	eārum	eius	eōrum
Dative	eī	eīs, iīs	eī	eīs, iīs	eī	eīs, iīs
Ablative	eō	eīs, iīs	eā	eīs, iīs	eō	eīs, iīs

The third person reflexive pronoun always refers back to the subject, regardless of whether it be singular or plural:

	—, suī himself, herself itself, oneself, themselves
Nominative	—
Accusative	sē, sēsē
Genitive	suī
Dative	sibi
Ablative	sē, sēsē

The genitive forms meī, tuī, nostrī, vestrī, suī are used as complements in certain grammatical constructions, whereas nostrum, vestrum are used in the partitive meaning. To express possession, the possessive pronouns (essentially adjectives) meus, tuus, noster, vester, suus are used, declined in the 1st and 2nd declensions to agree in number and case with the thing possessed. The vocative singular masculine of meus is mī.

Demonstrative pronouns and adjectives

	hic, haec, hoc this, this one (proximal)						ille, illa, illud that, that one (distal)						iste, ista, istud that of yours (medial)
	Masculine		Feminine		Neuter		Masculine		Feminine		Neuter		Masculine		Feminine		Neuter
	Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural
Nominative	hic	hī	haec	hae	hoc	haec	ille	illī	illa	illae	illud	illa	iste	istī	ista	istae	istud	ista
Accusative	hunc	hōs	hanc	hās	hoc	haec	illum	illōs	illam	illās	illud	illa	istum	istōs	istam	istās	istud	ista
Genitive	huius	hōrum	huius	hārum	huius	hōrum	illīus	illōrum	illīus	illārum	illīus	illōrum	istīus	istōrum	istīus	istārum	istīus	istōrum
Dative	huic	hīs	huic	hīs	huic	hīs	illī	illīs	illī	illīs	illī	illīs	istī	istīs	istī	istīs	istī	istīs
Ablative	hōc	hīs	hāc	hīs	hōc	hīs	illō	illīs	illā	illīs	illō	illīs	istō	istīs	istā	istīs	istō	istīs

Intensive pronouns

	ipse, ipsa, ipsum himself, herself, itself
	Masculine		Feminine		Neuter
	Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural
Nominative	ipse	ipsī	ipsa	ipsae	ipsum	ipsa
Accusative	ipsum	ipsōs	ipsam	ipsās	ipsum	ipsa
Genitive	ipsīus	ipsōrum	ipsīus	ipsārum	ipsīus	ipsōrum
Dative	ipsī	ipsīs	ipsī	ipsīs	ipsī	ipsīs
Ablative	ipsō	ipsīs	ipsā	ipsīs	ipsō	ipsīs

Interrogative pronouns

The interrogative pronouns are used strictly for asking questions. They are distinct from the relative pronoun and the interrogative adjective (which is declined like the relative pronoun). Interrogative pronouns rarely occur in the plural. The plural interrogative pronouns are the same as the plural relative pronouns.

	quis who? m. and f.	quid what? n. only
	Singular
Nominative	quis	quid
Accusative	quem	quid
Genitive	cuius	cuius
Dative	cuī	cuī
Ablative	quō	quō

Relative pronouns

	quī, quae, quod who, which, that
	Masculine		Feminine		Neuter
	Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural
Nominative	quī	quī	quae	quae	quod	quae
Accusative	quem	quōs	quam	quās	quod	quae
Genitive	cuius	quōrum	cuius	quārum	cuius	quōrum
Dative	cui	quibus	cui	quibus	cui	quibus
Ablative	quō	quibus	quā	quibus	quō	quibus

Correlatives

Correlatives are the corresponding demonstrative, relative, interrogative, and indefinite forms of pronouns, pronominal adjectives, and adverbs. These are shown below:

	Demonstrative	Relative	Interrogative	Indefinite relative	Indefinite
	vowel or t-	qu-, c-, u-		reduplicated or -cumque	ali-
basic	is	quī	quis?	quisquis	aliquis
number	tantus	quantus	quantus?	quantuscumque	aliquantus
type	tālis	quālis	quālis?	quāliscumque	—
place where	ibi	ubi	ubi?	ubiubi	alicubi
place to, whither	eō	quō	quō?	quōquō	aliquō
manner	eā	quā	quā?	quāquā	aliquā
place from, whence	inde	unde	unde?	undecumque	alicunde
time	tum	cum	quandō	quandōcumque	aliquandō
counting	tot	quot	quot?	quotquot	aliquot
repetition	totiēns	quotiēns	quotiēns?	quotiēnscumque	aliquotiēns

Adjectives

First and second declension adjectives

First and second declension are inflected in the masculine, the feminine and the neuter; the masculine form typically ends in –us (although some end in –er, see below), the feminine form ends in –a, and the neuter form ends in –um. Therefore, some adjectives are given like altus, alta, altum .

	altus, –a, –um high, long, tall
	Masculine				Feminine				Neuter
	Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural
Nominative	altus	–us	altī	–ī	alta	–a	altae	–ae	altum	–um	alta	–a
Vocative	alte	–e	altī	–ī	alta	–a	altae	–ae	altum	–um	alta	–a
Accusative	altum	–um	altōs	–ōs	altam	–am	altās	–ās	altum	–um	alta	–a
Genitive	altī	–ī	altōrum	–ōrum	altae	–ae	altārum	–ārum	altī	–ī	altōrum	–ōrum
Dative	altō	–ō	altīs	–īs	altae	–ae	altīs	–īs	altō	–ō	altīs	–īs
Ablative	altō	–ō	altīs	–īs	altā	–ā	altīs	–īs	altō	–ō	altīs	–īs

First and second declension –r adjectives

Some first and second declension adjectives' masculine form end in an –er. As with second declension nouns –r nouns, some adjectives retain the e throughout inflection, and some omit it. Sacer, sacra, sacrum omits its e while miser, misera, miserum keeps it.

	miser, –era, –erum sad, poor, unhappy
	Masculine				Feminine				Neuter
	Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural
Nominative	miser	–er	miserī	–ī	misera	–a	miserae	–ae	miserum	–um	misera	–a
Vocative	miser	–er	miserī	–ī	misera	–a	miserae	–ae	miserum	–um	misera	–a
Accusative	miserum	–um	miserōs	–ōs	miseram	–am	miserās	–ās	miserum	–um	misera	–a
Genitive	miserī	–ī	miserōrum	–ōrum	miserae	–ae	miserārum	–ārum	miserī	–ī	miserōrum	–ōrum
Dative	miserō	–ō	miserīs	–īs	miserae	–ae	miserīs	–īs	miserō	–ō	miserīs	–īs
Ablative	miserō	–ō	miserīs	–īs	miserā	–ā	miserīs	–īs	miserō	–ō	miserīs	–īs

	sacer, –cra, –crum sacred, holy
	Masculine				Feminine				Neuter
	Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural
Nominative	sacer	–er	sacrī	–ī	sacra	–a	sacrae	–ae	sacrum	–um	sacra	–a
Vocative	sacer	–er	sacrī	–ī	sacra	–a	sacrae	–ae	sacrum	–um	sacra	–a
Accusative	sacrum	–um	sacrōs	–ōs	sacram	–am	sacrās	–ās	sacrum	–um	sacra	–a
Genitive	sacrī	–ī	sacrōrum	–ōrum	sacrae	–ae	sacrārum	–ārum	sacrī	–ī	sacrōrum	–ōrum
Dative	sacrō	–ō	sacrīs	–īs	sacrae	–ae	sacrīs	–īs	sacrō	–ō	sacrīs	–īs
Ablative	sacrō	–ō	sacrīs	–īs	sacrā	–ā	sacrīs	–īs	sacrō	–ō	sacrīs	–īs

First and second –īus genitive adjectives

Nine first and second declension adjectives are irregular in the genitive and the dative in all genders. They can be remembered by using the mnemonic acronym UNUS NAUTA. They are:

ūllus, –a, –um; any
nūllus, –a, –um; no, none (of any)
uter, –tra, –trum; which (of two)
sōlus, –a, –um; sole, alone
neuter, –tra, –trum; neither (of two)
alius, –a, –ud; (gen. sing. alīus, often replaced by alterīus; another)
ūnus, –a, –um; one
tōtus, –a, –um; whole
alter, –era, –erum; the other (of two)

	ūllus, –a, –um any
	Masculine				Feminine				Neuter
	Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural
Nominative	ūllus	–us	ūllī	–ī	ūlla	–a	ūllae	–ae	ūllum	–um	ūlla	–a
Vocative	ūlle	–e	ūllī	–ī	ūlla	–a	ūllae	–ae	ūllum	–um	ūlla	–a
Accusative	ūllum	–um	ūllōs	–ōs	ūllam	–am	ūllās	–ās	ūllum	–um	ūlla	–a
Genitive	ūllīus	–īus	ūllōrum	–ōrum	ūllīus	–īus	ūllārum	–ārum	ūllīus	–īus	ūllōrum	–ōrum
Dative	ūllī	–ī	ūllīs	–īs	ūllī	–ī	ūllīs	–īs	ūllī	–ī	ūllīs	–īs
Ablative	ūllō	–ō	ūllīs	–īs	ūllā	–ā	ūllīs	–īs	ūllō	–ō	ūllīs	–īs

Third declension adjectives

Third declension adjectives are normally declined like third declension i-stem nouns, except for the fact they always have a –ī rather than an –e in the ablative singular (unlike i-stem nouns, in which only neuters have –ī). Some adjectives, however, like the one-ending vetus, veteris (old, aged), have an –e in the ablative singular (all genders), a –um in the genitive plural (all genders), and an –a in the nominative and accusative plural (neuter only).

Third declension adjectives with one ending

These have a single nominative ending for all genders, although as usual the endings for the other cases vary. As with nouns, a genitive is given for the purpose of inflection.

	atrōx, –ōcis terrible, mean, cruel
	Masculine & Feminine				Neuter
	Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural
Nominative	atrōx	–ōx	atrōcēs	–ēs	atrōx	–ōx	atrōcia	–ia
Vocative	atrōx	–ōx	atrōcēs	–ēs	atrōx	–ōx	atrōcia	–ia
Accusative	atrōcem	–em	atrōcēs	–ēs1	atrōx	–ōx	atrōcia	–ia
Genitive	atrōcis	–is	atrōcium	–ium	atrōcis	–is	atrōcium	–ium
Dative	atrōcī	–ī	atrōcibus	–ibus	atrōcī	–ī	atrōcibus	–ibus
Ablative	atrōcī	–ī²	atrōcibus	–ibus	atrōcī	–ī²	atrōcibus	–ibus

¹—may end in –īs
²—may end in –e

Third declension adjectives with two endings

Third declension adjectives that have two endings have one form for the masculine and feminine, and a separate form for the neuter. The ending for the masculine and feminine is –is, and the ending for the neuter is –e. Because the sexed form ends in an –is, we find the adjective genitive singular.

	agilis, –e nimble, swift
	Masculine & Feminine				Neuter
	Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural
Nominative	agilis	–is	agilēs	–ēs	agile	–e	agilia	–ia
Vocative	agilis	–is	agilēs	–ēs	agile	–e	agilia	–ia
Accusative	agilem	–em	agilēs	–ēs1	agile	–e	agilia	–ia
Genitive	agilis	–is	agilium	–ium	agilis	–is	agilium	–ium
Dative	agilī	–ī	agilibus	–ibus	agilī	–ī	agilibus	–ibus
Ablative	agilī	–ī	agilibus	–ibus	agilī	–ī	agilibus	–ibus

¹—may end in –īs

Third declension adjectives with three endings

Third declension adjectives with three endings have three separate nominative forms for all three genders. Like third and second declension –r nouns, the masculine ends in an –er. The feminine ends in an –ris, and the neuter ends in an –re. With that information, we come upon the genitive singular needed for inflection, the feminine form.

	celer, –eris, –ere swift, rapid, brash
	Masculine				Feminine				Neuter
	Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural
Nominative	celer	–er	celerēs	–ēs	celeris	–is	celerēs	–ēs	celere	–e	celeria	–ia
Vocative	celer	–er	celerēs	–ēs	celeris	–is	celerēs	–ēs	celere	–e	celeria	–ia
Accusative	celerem	–em	celerēs	–ēs1	celerem	–em	celerēs	–ēs1	celere	–e	celeria	–ia
Genitive	celeris	–is	celerium	–ium	celeris	–is	celerium	–ium	celeris	–is	celerium	–ium
Dative	celerī	–ī	celeribus	–ibus	celerī	–ī	celeribus	–ibus	celerī	–ī	celeribus	–ibus
Ablative	celerī	–ī	celeribus	–ibus	celerī	–ī	celeribus	–ibus	celerī	–ī	celeribus	–ibus
	alacer, –cris, –cre lively, jovial, animated
	Masculine				Feminine				Neuter
	Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural		Singular		Plural
Nominative	alacer	–er	alacrēs	–ēs	alacris	–is	alacrēs	–ēs	alacre	–e	alacria	–ia
Vocative	alacer	–er	alacrēs	–ēs	alacris	–is	alacrēs	–ēs	alacre	–e	alacria	–ia
Accusative	alacrem	–em	alacrēs	–ēs1	alacrem	–em	alacrēs	–ēs1	alacre	–e	alacria	–ia
Genitive	alacris	–is	alacrium	–ium	alacris	–is	alacrium	–ium	alacris	–is	alacrium	–ium
Dative	alacrī	–ī	alacribus	–ibus	alacrī	–ī	alacribus	–ibus	alacrī	–ī	alacribus	–ibus
Ablative	alacrī	–ī	alacribus	–ibus	alacrī	–ī	alacribus	–ibus	alacrī	–ī	alacribus	–ibus

¹—may end in –īs

Comparative and superlative forms of adjectives

As in English, adjectives have superlative and comparative forms. For regular first and second declension and third declension adjectives with one or two endings, the comparative is formed by adding an –ior for the masculine and feminine, and an –ius for the neuter to the base. The genitive for both are formed by adding an –iōris. Therefore, they are declined like the third declension. However, they are not declined as i-stems are. Superlatives formed by adding an –issimus, –a, –um to the base. Now, we find that superlatives are declined like first and second declension adjectives.

Adjective	Positive	Comparative	Superlative
	benignus, –a, –um (kind, nice)	benignior, –ius	benignissimus, –a, –um
	frīgidus, –a, –um (cold, chilly)	frīgidior, –ius	frīgidissimus, –a, –um
	calidus, –a, –um (hot, fiery)	calidior, –ius	calidissimus, –a, –um
	pugnāx, –ācis (pugnacious)	pugnācior, –ius	pugnācissimus, –a, –um
	fortis, –e (strong, robust)	fortior, –ius	fortissimus, –a, –um
	aequālis, –e (equal, even)	aequālior, –ius	aequālissimus, –a, –um

Comparatives and superlatives of –er adjectives

Adjectives (in the third and first and second declensions) that have masculine nominative singular forms ending in –er have different forms. If the feminine and neuter forms drop the E, use that for the comparative form. The superlative is formed by adding a –rimus onto the masculine form.

Adjective	Positive	Comparative	Superlative
	pulcher, –chra, –chrum (pretty, beautiful)	pulchrior, –ius	pulcherrimus, –a, –um
	sacer, –cra, –crum (sacred, holy)	sacrior, –ius	sacerrimus, –a, –um
	tener, –era, –erum (delicate, tender)	tenerior, –ius	tenerrimus, –a, –um
	ācer, –cris, –cre (sharp)	ācrior, –ius	ācerrimus, –a, –um
	celeber, –bris, –bre (celebrated, famous)	celebrior, –ius	celeberrimus, –a, –um
	celer, –eris, –ere (quick, fast)	celerior, –ius	celerrimus, –a, –um

Comparatives and superlatives of –lis adjectives

Some third declension adjectives with two endings in –lis in the sexed nominative singular have irregular superlative forms. The following are the only adjectives that have this unique form.

Adjective	Positive	Comparative	Superlative
	facilis, –e (easy)	facilior, –ius	facillimus, –a, –um
	difficilis, –e (hard, difficult)	difficilior, –ius	difficillimus, –a, –um
	similis, –e (similar, like)	similior, –ius	simillimus, –a, –um
	dissimilis, –e (unlike, dissimilar)	dissimilior, –ius	dissimillimus, –a, –um
	gracilis, –e (slender, slim)	gracilior, –ius	gracillimus, –a, –um
	humilis, –e (low, humble)	humilior, –ius	humillimus, –a, –um

Irregular comparatives and superlatives

As in most languages, Latin has adjectives that have irregular comparatives and superlatives.

Adjective	Positive	Comparative	Superlative
	bonus, –a, –um (good)	melior, –ius	optimus, –a, –um
	malus, –a, –um (bad, evil)	peior, –ius	pessimus, –a, –um
	magnus, –a, –um (great, large)	maior, –ius	maximus, –a, –um
	parvus, –a, –um (small, slight)	minor, –us	minimus, –a, –um
	multus, –a, –um (much, many)	plūs1	plurimus, –a, –um
	propinquus, –a, –um (near, close)	propior, –ius	proximus, –a, –um
	mātūrus, –a, –um (ripe, mature)	mātūrior, –ius	mātūrrimus, –a, –um2
	nēquam3 (worthless)	nēquior, –ius	nēquissimus, –a, –um
	posterus, –a, –um (next, future)	posterior, –ius	postrēmus (postumus), –a, –um
	superus, –a, –um (above, upper)	superior, –ius	suprēmus (summus), –a, –um
	exterus, –a, –um (outer, outward)	exterior, –ius	extrēmus (extimus), –a, –um
	īnferus, –a, –um (below, lower)	īnferior, –ius	īnfimus (īmus), –a, –um
	senex, senis (old, aged)	senior, –ius	——
	iuvenis, –is (young, youthful)	iuvenior –ius / iūnior, –ius	——

• 1: noun used with genitive to express more of something. In the plural used as an adjective: plūrēs, plūra, genitive plūrium
• 2: often replaced by the regular form 'maturissimus, –a, –um'
• 3: indeclinable

Declension of īdem

The adjective īdem, eadem, idem means 'same.' It is a variant of the third person pronouns that were declined earlier. Generally, they are formed by adding –dem to a declined third person pronouns. However, some forms have been assimilated.

	īdem, eadem, idem the same, same as
	Masculine		Feminine		Neuter
	Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural
Nominative	īdem	eīdem, iīdem	eadem	eaedem	idem	eadem
Vocative	īdem	eīdem, iīdem	eadem	eaedem	idem	eadem
Accusative	eundem	eōsdem	eandem	eāsdem	idem	eadem
Genitive	eiusdem	eōrundem	eiusdem	eārundem	eiusdem	eōrundem
Dative	eīdem	eīsdem, iīsdem	eīdem	eīsdem, iīsdem	eīdem	eīsdem, iīsdem
Ablative	eōdem	eīsdem, iīsdem	eādem	eīsdem, iīsdem	eōdem	eīsdem, iīsdem

Declension of numerals

See also: Roman numerals for symbology.

There are several different kinds of numeral words in Latin: the two most common are cardinal numerals, and ordinal numerals. There are also several more rare numerals such as distributive numerals and adverbial numerals

Cardinal numerals

All numerals, except ūnum (one), duo (two), tria (three), centum (one hundred), and mīlia (thousand, sing. mīlle) are indeclinable adjectives. Ūnus, ūna, ūnum is declined like a first and second declension adjective with an –īus in the genitive, and –ī in the dative. Duo is declined irregularly, and tria is declined like a third declension adjective.

	duo, duae, duo two
	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter
	Plural
Nominative	duo	duae	duo
Vocative	duo	duae	duo
Accusative	duōs / duo	duās	duo
Genitive	duōrum / duum	duārum	duōrum
Dative	duōbus	duābus	duōbus
Ablative	duōbus	duābus	duōbus

It should be noted that ambō, "both", is declined as duo is, though its o is long.

	trēs, tria
	Masculine & Feminine	Neuter
	Plural
Nominative	trēs	tria
Vocative	trēs	tria
Accusative	trēs, trīs	tria
Genitive	trium	trium
Dative	tribus	tribus
Ablative	tribus	tribus

The word mīlle, is singular, an adjective and indeclinable. However, its plural, mīlia, is a plural 3rd declension i-stem neuter noun.

	mīlia, mīlium (a) thousand n.
	Plural
Nominative	mīlia
Vocative	mīlia
Accusative	mīlia
Genitive	mīlium
Dative	mīlibus
Ablative	mīlibus

• Note that to write the phrase "four thousand horses" in Latin, the genitive is used: "quattuor milia equōrum", literally, "four thousands of horses".

As stated before, the rest of the numbers are indeclinable adjectives. They are also indeclinable as substantives.

1	I	ūnus, –a, –um	11	XI	ūndecim	21	XXI	ūnus et vigintī	101	CI	centum et ūnus
2	II	duo, –ae, –o	12	XII	duodecim	22	XXII	duō et vigintī	200	CC	ducentī, –ae, –a
3	III	trēs, –ia	13	XIII	trēdecim	30	XXX	trīgintā	300	CCC	trecentī
4	IV	quattuor	14	XIV	quattuordecim	40	XL	quadrāgintā	400	CD	quadringentī
5	V	quīnque	15	XV	quīndecim	50	L	quīnquāgintā	500	D	quīngentī
6	VI	sex	16	XVI	sēdecim	60	LX	sexāgintā	600	DC	sescentī
7	VII	septem	17	XVII	septendecim	70	LXX	septuāgintā	700	DCC	septingentī
8	VIII	octō	18	XVIII	duodēvigintī	80	LXXX	octōgintā	800	DCCC	octingentī
9	IX	novem	19	XIX	ūndēvigintī	90	XC	nōnāgintā	900	CM	nōngentī
10	X	decem	20	XX	vigintī	100	C	centum	1000	M	mīlle

Ordinal numerals

Ordinal numerals all decline like normal 1st and 2nd declension adjectives. When declining the two-word ordinals (thirteenth through twenty-second, with the exception of twentieth), both words decline to match in gender, number and case.

• Primus = first
• Secundus = second
• Tertius = third
• Vicensimus = twentieth

Note: "secundus" only means "second" in the sense of "following". The adjective alter, –ra, –rum meaning "the other (of two)" was more frequently used in many instances that English would use "second".

Ordinal numbers, not cardinal numbers, are commonly used to represent dates, because they are in the format of "in the tenth year of Caesar", etc. which also carried over into the Anno Domini system and Christian dating, i.e. "anno post Christum natum centesimo"(also "centensimo") = AD 100.

Distributive numerals

A rare numeral construction denoting an equal number distributed among several objects, e.g. "How many each?" "Two by two." They decline like normal 1st and 2nd declension adjectives, and are logically always plural. Bis, Bina = "twice two". A classical example would be "Uxores habent deni duo deniqui inter se communes" = "groups of ten or twelve men had wives in common" –Gallic Wars, Julius Caesar

Adverbial numerals

Adverbial numerals are (as the name states) indeclinable adverbs, but because all of the other numeral constructions are adjectives, they are listed here with them. Adverbial numerals give how many times a thing happened. Semel = once, Bis = twice, Ter = thrice (three times), Quater = four times, etc.

Adverbs and their comparisons and superlatives

Adverbs are not declined. However, adverbs must be formed if one wants to make an adjective into an adverb.

First and second declension adjectives' adverbs

First and second declension adjectives' adverbs are formed by adding an –ē onto their bases.

Adjective	Adverb
clārus, –a, –um (clear, famous)	clārē (clearly, famously)
validus, –a, –um (strong, robust)	validē (strongly, robustly)
īnfīrmus, –a, –um (weak)	īnfīrmē (weakly)
solidus, –a, –um (complete, firm)	solidē (completely, firmly)
integer, –gra, –grum (whole, fresh)	integrē (wholly, freshly)
līber, –era, –erum (free)	līberē (freely)

Third declension adjectives' adverbs

Typically, third declension adjectives' adverbs are formed by adding an –iter onto their bases. However, most third declension adjectives with one ending simply add an –er to their bases.

Adjective	Adverb
prūdēns, –entis (prudent)	prūdenter (prudently)
audāx, –ācis (bold)	audāciter (boldly)
virilis, –e (courageous, spirited)	viriliter (courageously, spiritedly)
salūbris, –e (wholesome)	salūbriter (wholesomely)

Adverbs' comparative and superlative forms

Adverbs' comparative forms are their neuter adjectives' comparative forms. Adverbs' superlative forms are made in the same way in which first and second declension adjectives' adverbs are made.

First and second declension adjectives' adverbs are formed by adding an –ē onto their bases.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
clārē (clearly, famously)	clārius	clārissimē
solidē (completely, firmly)	solidius	——
līberē (freely)	līberius	——
prudenter (prudently)	prudentius	prudentissimē
salūbriter (wholesomely)	salūbrius	salūbrissimē

Irregular adverbs and their comparative and superlative forms

As so with adjectives, there are irregular adverbs with peculiar comparative and superlative forms.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
bene (well)	melius	optimē
male (ill, badly)	peius	pessimē
māgnoperē (greatly)	magis	maximē
multum (much, a lot)	plūs	plūrimum
parvum (little)	minus	minimē
nēquiter (worthlessly)	nēquius	nēquissimē
saepe (often)	saepius	saepissimē
mātūrē (seasonably, betimes)	mātūrius	māturrimē
prope (near)	propius	proximē
nūper (recently)	——	nūperrimē
potis (possible)	potius (rather)	potissimē (especially)
———	prius (before, previously)	prīmum /primo (first)
secus (otherwise)	sētius / sequius (less)	——

Peculiarities within declension

Irregularity in number

Some nouns are only used in the singular, such as:

• Materials such as aurum (gold) and aes (copper)
• Abstract nouns such as celeritās (speed) and scientia (knowledge)
• Proper names such as Iulius (Julius) and Clāra (Clara)

Some nouns are only used in the plural (plurale tantum) such as:

• Many festivals, such as Saturnalia
• Castra (camp) and arma (arms)
• A few geographical names are plural such as Thēbae (Thebes).

Indeclinable nouns

Indeclinable nouns are neuter nouns which occur only in the nominative and the accusative singular. There are only six such nouns :

• fās — fate, divine law
• īnstar — likeness
• māne — in the morning (arguably this occurs only in the ablative singular; also arguably it is an adverb rather than a noun) It is notable because it occurs in modern medical prescriptions.
• nefās — sin, abomination
• nihil / nil — nothing, none
• secus – sex, coitus

Heterogeneous nouns

Heterogeneous nouns are nouns which vary in respect to gender.

• A few nouns in the second declension occur in both the neuter and masculine. However, their meanings remain the same.
• Some nouns are one gender in the singular, but become another gender in the plural. They may also change in meaning.

Singular	Plural
balneum n. bath	balneae f. or balnea n. bath-house
epulum n. feast, banquet	epulae f. feasts, banquets
frēnum n. bridle, curb	frēnī m. bridle, curb
iocus m. joke, jest	ioca n. or ioci m. jokes, jests
locus m. place, location	loca n. places, locations; locī region
rāstrum n. hoe, rake	rāstrī m. hoes, rakes

Plurals with alternative meanings

Nouns whose plural meaning is different from the singular meaning are called plūrālia tantum.

Singular	Plural
aedēs, –is f. building, temple	aedēs, –ium rooms, house
auxilium, –ī n. help, aid	auxilia, –ōrum auxiliary troops
carcer, –eris m. prison, cell	carcerēs, –um starting-place of a chariot race
castrum, –ī n. fort, castle, fortress	castra, –ōrum milit. camp, encampment
cōpia, –ae f. plenty, much, abundance	cōpiae, –ārum troops
fortūna, –ae f. luck, chance	fortūnae –ārum wealth
grātia, –ae f. charm, favor	grātiae, –ārum thanks
impedīmentum, –ī m. impediment, hindrance	impedīmenta, –ōrum baggage, baggage train
littera, –ae f. letter (as in A, B, C, etc.)	litterae, –ārum epistle, scholarship, literature
mōs, mōris m. habit, inclination	mōrēs, –um m. morals, character
opera, –ae f. trouble, pains	operae, –ārum workmen
opis f. help	opēs, –ium resources, wealth
pars, partis f. part, piece	partēs, –ium office, function

Order of the declined grammatical cases in various curricula

In modern Latin instruction, there is no single international standard for the sequence of cases within each declension paradigm.

NOM-(VOC)-ACC-GEN-DAT-ABL-(LOC)

This order reflects the syncretic trends of different cases to share similar endings. Usually the VOC and LOC cases are omitted because they appear in the paradigm of only a few word classes and are dealt with separately. This makes the paradigm appear normally in the format NOM-ACC-GEN-DAT-ABL. This paradigm has been the usual order in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth countries since the publication of Hall Kennedy's Latin Primer (1866). It is the only method used in Hungary and Finland, and it was once common in German-speaking countries. It is also usual in France, Spain, and Portugal.

NOM-GEN-DAT-ACC-ABL-(VOC-LOC)

This alternate sequence arose from Byzantine grammarians who were originally writing about Greek. It is standard in the United States, although modern texts increasingly move the VOC at the end to minimize disruption to the 4½ declensions in which it is identical to NOM; some introductory texts such as Wheelock's Latin almost entirely ignore VOC and LOC except for a few brief notes, giving the format NOM-GEN-DAT-ACC-ABL. This paradigm is also used in Poland, as it closely corresponds to the conventional case order in the Polish language, except for the latter's use of an instrumental case instead of an ablative. The same sequence is predominant in the Netherlands, although the modern Dutch language has largely lost its case system; instead, the rationale is that this general order is convenient for the consistent teaching of three different commonly studied declensive languages: Latin, Ancient Greek, and modern German. The order NOM-GEN-DAT-ACC-ABL-(VOC) is also used in Germany itself to echo the conventional order of German noun cases (NOM-GEN-DAT-ACC), and also in Lithuania because the conventional order of Lithuanian noun cases is the same. LOC is dealt with separately as it is seldom used in Latin and might be considered to be on the verge of extinction in Classical Latin.

The order NOM-GEN-DAT-ACC-VOC-ABL is the standard order used in Greece (both for the teaching of Ancient and Modern Greek as well as Latin) and Italy (with the Vocative case before the Ablative). Here again, the LOC is dealt with separately in the courses.

Others

Brazilian grammarian Napoleão Mendes used the unusual sequence NOM-VOC-GEN-DAT-ABL-ACC. The Latinum podcast uses NOM-VOC-ACC-ABL-DAT-GEN, as this facilitates memorisation. Latinum deals with LOC separately.

See also

• Latin conjugation
• Latin mnemonics
• William Whitaker's Words
• Greek declension

References

• Latin declensor Template:Es
• New Latin Grammar, an eBook, originally written by Charles Edwin Bennett, at the Project Gutenberg
• Interactive Latin Word Endings
• A Student's Latin Grammar, by Cambridge Latin Course's Robin m. Griffin, Third Edition
• Gildersleeve, B. L.; Gonzalez Lodge (1895). Gildersleeve's Latin Grammar (3rd ed.). Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-09215-5.
• Greenough, J. B.; G. L. Kittredge; A. A. Howard; Benj. L. D'Ooge (1903). Allen and Greenough's New Latin Grammar for Schools and Colleges. Ginn and Company.