Lesson IV: 2nd Declension Nouns

Oct. 9-11, 2012

Let’s Review!

• Nouns are divided into groups called declensions..

• Declensions are a set of shared endings.• So far, we’ve learned 1st Declension Nouns.

In Latin, the endings indicate the case of the noun.

(Endings)Case Singular Plural

Nominative a aeGenitive ae arumDative ae isAccusative am asAblative a is

Example: insularum = plural genitive

Step 2: Add the case endings to the noun stem.

Nominative

Genitive

Dative

Accusative

Ablative

Singular Plural

2nd Declension Nouns

• 2nd declension nouns end in –i in the genitive singular.

• Most 2nd declension nouns are masculine or neuter.

• Let’s learn how to decline a 2nd declension noun on its “declension chart.”

2nd Declension Nouns

(Endings)Case Singular Plural

Nominative -us -iGenitive -i -orumDative -o -isAccusative -um -osAblative -o -is

Write these down!

Step 1 – Find the noun stemThe noun stem is found by dropping the genitive singular ending from the noun.

Dictionary entry of a noun:

servus servi, m. slave

Nominativesingular

Genitive singular

GenderMeaning

servi – i = serv-Noun Stem

2nd Declension Nounsservus, servi (m.) --- slave

Case Singular Plural

Nominative servus serviGenitive servi servorumDative servo servisAccusative servum servosAblative servo servis

Your turn! Try equus, equi (m.) --- horse

Nouns and Adjectives

• Remember that nouns and adjectives must agree in GENDER, NUMBER, and CASE.

• Adjectives can be declined with 2nd declension endings to modify masculine nouns.

• parva puella: the little girl• parvus equus: the little horse• servus bonus: the good slave• servi boni: the good slaves• agricola bonus: the good farmer

Adjective practiceComplete each sentence with the correct endings.

• Bon____ est equus.• Carri long____ sunt.• Ubi sunt viae long____?• Servus equum mal____ non amat.• Terra erat dur____.

usi

aeum

a

Textbook p. 37 Ex. A• 1. Viae sunt malae.• 2. Servus erat parvus.• 3. Servus est non malus.• 4. Equi magni sunt et boni.• 5. Carri magni sunt sed equi sunt parvi.• 6. Servi aquam laudant.• 7. Servus malus in terra laborat.• 8. Agricola magnos carros spectat.• 9. Ubi servi multos carros parant?• 10. Puella et agricola longam vitam laudant.Case Sg. Pl.

Nom. (subject) a aeGen. ae arumDat. ae isAcc. (direct obj.) am asAbl. a is

Case Sg. Pl.

Nom. (subject) us iGen. i orumDat. o isAcc. (direct obj.) um osAbl. o is