Language/Latin/Grammar/Questions

Latin Grammar - Questions

Hi Latin learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will focus on how to form and use questions in Latin. As we all know, asking questions is a crucial part of communication. In Latin, there are different ways to ask questions depending on the context and the intention. Let's get started!

Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: Parts of speech Latin, Definite Articles in Latin, Adjectives & Adjective Declensions.

Basic Questions

The simplest way to form a question in Latin is to use the word "-ne" at the end of the sentence. "-Ne" is a question particle that indicates that the sentence is a question. For example:

Latin	Pronunciation	English
Estisne amici?	['ɛs.tis.nɛ 'a.mi.ki]	Are you (pl.) friends?
Dicitne puella verum?	['di.kit.nɛ 'puɛl.la 'wɛ.rum]	Does the girl tell the truth?

In the examples above, "-ne" comes after the verb in the sentence ("Estis" and "Dicit" respectively). Notice that the word order in a question is the same as in a statement. The question particle "-ne" is the only difference.

Another way to ask questions is to use question words such as "quis" (who), "quid" (what), "ubi" (where), "quo" (where to), "unde" (where from), "cur" (why), "quando" (when), "num" (whether/not) and "an" (or).

Here are some examples:

Latin	Pronunciation	English
Quis est tu?	[kwis ɛst tu]	Who are you?
Quid est hoc?	[kwid ɛst hɔk]	What is this?
Ubi est Domus Aurea?	['u.bi ɛst 'dɔ.mus 'au.rɛ.a]	Where is the Golden House?
Quo itur?	[kwɔ 'i.tur]	Where are you (sg.) going?
Unde venis?	['un.dɛ 'wɛ.nis]	Where are you (sg.) from?
Cur hoc facis?	[kur hɔk 'fa.kis]	Why are you (sg.) doing this?
Quando venis?	['kwan.do 'wɛ.nis]	When are you (sg.) coming?
Num hoc verum est?	[nʊm hɔk 'we.rum ɛst]	Is this true or not?
An solis occasum vidisti?	[an 'sɔ.lis ɔk.'ka.sum wi.'dis.ti]	Did you see the sunset or not?

Notice that the question word is usually placed at the beginning of the sentence. Also, some question words have specific cases according to their function in the sentence. For example, "quis" and "quid" can be used as subjects or objects and can take different cases (nominative, accusative, genitive, dative, etc.) depending on the context.

Indirect Questions

In addition to direct questions, Latin also has indirect questions, which are embedded in a larger sentence. Indirect questions are introduced by words such as "ubi", "cum", "quod", "si", "nescio", etc. Here are some examples:

• Person 1: Rogavisti ubi sum. (You asked where I am.)
• Person 2: Vero, curiosus sum. (Indeed, I am curious.)

• Person 1: Consulo quid facias. (I advise what you should do.)
• Person 2: Gratias ago tibi! (Thank you!)

• Person 1: Discere cupio quando venies. (I want to learn when you are coming.)
• Person 2: Hoc mane praeteribo. (I will pass by this morning.)

Notice that the indirect question is not a complete sentence and depends on the main clause. Also, the word order in an indirect question is similar to that of a statement.

Dialogue

• Person 1: Salve, amice! Quomodo vales? (Hi, friend! How are you?)
• Person 2: Salve! Bene sum, gratias. Et tu? (Hi! I'm fine, thanks. And you?)
• Person 1: Optime! Ubi es hodie? (Great! Where are you today?)
• Person 2: Domi sum, studium facio. (I'm at home, I'm studying.)
• Person 1: Certe, studium est bonum. Quid discis? (Certainly, studying is good. What are you learning?)
• Person 2: Lingua Latina, nunc de verbo "esse" lego. (Latin, now I'm reading about the verb "to be".)
• Person 1: Magnificum! Num difficile est? (Great! Is it difficult?)
• Person 2: Non, facile est, si diligenter legas. (No, it's easy, if you read carefully.)
• Person 1: Intellego. Vale! (I understand. Goodbye!)
• Person 2: Vale! (Goodbye!)

Further Study

To learn more about Latin questions, check out the question section of the Latin page on the Polyglot Club. You can also improve your Latin speaking skills by finding native speakers and practicing with them. Don't forget to review the grammar rules we've covered in this lesson!

Sources

• Latin Grammar Questions Flashcards | Quizlet
• Latin Grammar Questions questions & answers for quizzes and ...

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Other Lessons

• How to Use Have
• Latin Articles
• Past Participle in Latin
• Future Tense
• Imperative Tense
• Negation
• Prepositions
• Latin Nouns
• Adjectives
• Latin alphabet