Language/Latin/Grammar/Present-Tense
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The present tense in Latin is used to describe actions that are happening at the present time or that happen on a regular basis. Understanding the present tense is crucial to forming sentences and communicating in Latin. In this lesson, we will explore how to use the present tense in Latin, including its conjugation, irregular verbs, and common phrases.
Conjugation:[edit | edit source]
In Latin, the present tense is conjugated by taking the base form of the verb, called the infinitive, and changing the ending to match the subject of the sentence. Here is the present tense conjugation for the verb "to love" (amare):
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| I | amo |
| You (singular) | amas |
| He/She/It | amat |
| We | amamus |
| You (plural) | amatis |
| They | amant |
Irregular Verbs:[edit | edit source]
Like in any language, there are some irregular verbs in Latin that do not follow the standard conjugation rules. Here are some examples:
- sum (to be):
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| I | sum |
| You (singular) | es |
| He/She/It | est |
| We | sumus |
| You (plural) | estis |
| They | sunt |
- possum (to be able to):
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| I | possum |
| You (singular) | potes |
| He/She/It | potest |
| We | possumus |
| You (plural) | potestis |
| They | possunt |
Common Phrases:[edit | edit source]
The present tense is used frequently in everyday Latin conversation. Here are some common phrases that use the present tense:
- Salve! (Hello!)
- Vale! (Goodbye!)
- Quid agis? (How are you?)
- Gratias tibi ago. (Thank you.)
- Veni, vidi, vici. (I came, I saw, I conquered.)
Present Tense in Latin - More Examples[edit | edit source]
| ENGLISH | LATIN | PRONUNCIATION IN ENGLISH |
|---|---|---|
| I love | Ego amo | eh goh ah moh |
| You love | Tu amas | too ah mahs |
| He loves | İlle amat | ihl leh ah maht |
| We love | Nos amamus | nohs ah mah moos |
| You love | Vos amatis | vohs ah mah tihs |
| They love | İlli amant | ihl lih ah mahnt |
| I speak | Ego loquor | eh goh lokoh ohr |
| You speak | Tu loqueris | too loh koh eh rihs |
| He speaks | İlle loquitur | ihl leh loh kou ih tour |
| We speak | Nos loquimur | nohs loh koh ih moor |
| You speak | Vos loquimini | vohs loh kou ih mih nih |
| They speak | İlli loquuntur | ihl lih loh koon tour |
| I sleep | Ego dormio | eh goh dohr myoh |
| You sleep | Tu dormis | too dohr mees |
| He sleeps | İlle dormit | ihl leh dohr meet |
| We sleep | Nos dormimus | nohs dohr mih moos |
| You sleep | Vos dormitis | vohs dohr mih tees |
| They sleep | İlli dormiunt | ihl lih dohr mih oont |
| I open | Ego aperio | eh goh ah peh ryoh |
| You open | Tu aperis | too ah peh rees |
| He opens | İlle aperit | ihl leh ah peh reet |
| We open | Nos aperimus | nohs ah peh rih moos |
| You open | Vos aperitis | vohs ah peh rih tees |
| They open | İlli aperiunt | ihl lih ah peh rih oont |
Videos[edit | edit source]
Latin Grammar - Present System of Pass. Ind. 1st Conjugation ...[edit | edit source]
Latin Lesson 1: Present Tense of Amo - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Amo La Bamba (a Latin Present Tense song) - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Definite Articles in Latin
- Questions
- Conditional Mood
- Prepositions
- Future Tense
- Latin Articles
- Latin Nouns
- Imperative Tense
- Negation
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