​inflection = word endings

all about declining nouns

because Latin is an inflected language;

• we use word endings to determine meaning in a sentence;

• not word order;

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• case endings tell us what the noun does in a sentence;

• subject, object, etc​

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​case = function / job

all about declining nouns

a case gives us the job or function of a noun in a sentence

• because Latin is an inflected language;

• we use word endings to determine meaning in a sentence;

• not word order;

• ​case endings tell us what the noun does in a sentence.

• ​each declension has 6 cases

declension = group / family

all about declining nouns

nouns in Latin come in 5 types, or declensions;

• they are sorted by vowels (-a; -o, -i, -u, -e);​

• 1st, 2nd, 3rd are very common;

• 4th and 5th are not​

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​case = function / job

all about declining nouns

these are the 6 cases you need to know;

1. nominative - subject

2. genitive - possessive

3. dative - indirect object (to/for)

4. accusative - direct object

5. ablative - by/with/from/in

6. vocative - for of address

​number = singular/plural

all about declining nouns

nouns and adjectives in Latin can be singular or plural

• there are 6 singular case endings​ for Latin nouns

• and 6 plural case endings.

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​gender = based on grammar

all about declining nouns

• nouns and adjectives can be masculine;

• they can be feminine;

• they can be neuter;

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• there is no real reason why for most nouns;

  • ​that's just the way the gods made decided

​principal parts

all about declining nouns

every Latin noun has 3 principal parts

• the subject form;

• the possessive form;

• the gender;

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• the​ possessive form gives you the stem!

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your ​dictionary = answer key

Some text here about the topic of discussion

your Latin dictionary gives you the principal parts;

1. look up your Latin noun;

2. focus on the 2nd part (the possessive):

3. drop the ending;

4. this is your stem;

5. add your case endings​

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​1st declension

all about declining nouns

aqua, aquae, f.

• the nominative is aqua;

• the genitive is aquae;

• drop the -e ending;

• aqua- is your stem;

• add your case endings to aqua- ​

​1st declension

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nom. aqua aquae

gen . aquae aquārum

dat. aquae aquis

acc. aquam aquas

abl. aqua aquis

voc. aqua aquae

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​2st declension

all about declining nouns

nom. dominus domini

gen . dominus dominorum

dat. domino domino

acc. dominum dominos

abl. domino dominis

voc. domine domini