Lesson 10: Conversational Latin
cum with (prep. + abl.); when, since, although (conjunction + subj.)
Introduction
The Latin word "cum" is one of the most versatile and frequently used words in the language. As a preposition, it means "with" and is followed by the ablative case. As a conjunction, it can mean "when," "since," or "although," and is typically followed by the subjunctive mood (though sometimes indicative for temporal "when").
Definition for the Autodidact Student
cum functions in two distinct ways:
As a preposition: Always means "with" and requires the ablative case
As a conjunction: Introduces subordinate clauses with meanings of time ("when"), cause ("since"), or concession ("although")
FAQ Schema
Q: What does "cum" mean in Latin? A: "Cum" has two main meanings depending on its grammatical function:
When used as a preposition with the ablative case, it means "with"
When used as a conjunction, it can mean "when," "since," or "although"
How This Topic Word Will Be Used
In this lesson, you'll encounter "cum" in both its prepositional and conjunctional uses through natural conversational exchanges. The examples progress from simple prepositional uses to more complex conjunctional constructions, helping you master this essential Latin word through practical dialogue.
Educational Schema
Subject: Latin Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Focus: Conversational Latin with "cum" Learning Type: Self-study/Autodidact Language of Instruction: English
Key Takeaways
"Cum" as a preposition always takes the ablative case
"Cum" as a conjunction usually takes the subjunctive mood
Context determines whether "cum" means "with," "when," "since," or "although"
In conversational Latin, "cum" appears frequently in both formal and informal contexts
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Part A (Interleaved English and Latin Text)
10.1 Venīsne are you coming mēcum with me ad to forum the forum hodiē today?
10.2 Cum with amīcīs friends meīs my cēnāre to dine volō I want.
10.3 Quid what facis are you doing cum when pluit it rains?
10.4 Cum since aegrōtus sick sim I am, domī at home maneō I stay.
10.5 Ambulāsne do you walk cum with patre father tuō your vespere in the evening?
10.6 Cum when sōl the sun oriātur rises, surgō I get up statim immediately.
10.7 Tēcum with you īre to go mālō I prefer quam than sōlus alone.
10.8 Cum although fessus tired essem I was, labōrāre to work persevērāvī I persevered.
10.9 Quis who venit is coming nōbīscum with us ad to theātrum the theater?
10.10 Cum when tempus time habeam I have, tē you vīsitābō I will visit.
10.11 Loquerne should I speak cum with magistrō the teacher dē about hāc this rē matter?
10.12 Cum since pecūniam money nōn not habeās you have, tibī to you mūtuābō I will lend.
10.13 Vīvit he lives cum with uxōre wife līberīsque and children suīs his.
10.14 Cum when Rōmam Rome vēnerīs you will have come, mē me vocā call.
10.15 Cum although senex old sit he is, fortis strong est he is adhūc still.
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Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)
10.1 Venīsne mēcum ad forum hodiē? Are you coming with me to the forum today?
10.2 Cum amīcīs meīs cēnāre volō. I want to dine with my friends.
10.3 Quid facis cum pluit? What do you do when it rains?
10.4 Cum aegrōtus sim, domī maneō. Since I am sick, I stay at home.
10.5 Ambulāsne cum patre tuō vespere? Do you walk with your father in the evening?
10.6 Cum sōl oriātur, surgō statim. When the sun rises, I get up immediately.
10.7 Tēcum īre mālō quam sōlus. I prefer to go with you than alone.
10.8 Cum fessus essem, labōrāre persevērāvī. Although I was tired, I persevered in working.
10.9 Quis venit nōbīscum ad theātrum? Who is coming with us to the theater?
10.10 Cum tempus habeam, tē vīsitābō. When I have time, I will visit you.
10.11 Loquerne cum magistrō dē hāc rē? Should I speak with the teacher about this matter?
10.12 Cum pecūniam nōn habeās, tibī mūtuābō. Since you don't have money, I will lend to you.
10.13 Vīvit cum uxōre līberīsque suīs. He lives with his wife and children.
10.14 Cum Rōmam vēnerīs, mē vocā. When you come to Rome, call me.
10.15 Cum senex sit, fortis est adhūc. Although he is old, he is still strong.
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Part C (Latin Text Only)
10.1 Venīsne mēcum ad forum hodiē?
10.2 Cum amīcīs meīs cēnāre volō.
10.3 Quid facis cum pluit?
10.4 Cum aegrōtus sim, domī maneō.
10.5 Ambulāsne cum patre tuō vespere?
10.6 Cum sōl oriātur, surgō statim.
10.7 Tēcum īre mālō quam sōlus.
10.8 Cum fessus essem, labōrāre persevērāvī.
10.9 Quis venit nōbīscum ad theātrum?
10.10 Cum tempus habeam, tē vīsitābō.
10.11 Loquerne cum magistrō dē hāc rē?
10.12 Cum pecūniam nōn habeās, tibī mūtuābō.
10.13 Vīvit cum uxōre līberīsque suīs.
10.14 Cum Rōmam vēnerīs, mē vocā.
10.15 Cum senex sit, fortis est adhūc.
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Part D (Grammar Explanation)
Grammar Rules for "cum"
1. Cum as a Preposition
Always followed by the ablative case
Means "with" in the sense of accompaniment
Can form special compounds: mēcum (with me), tēcum (with you), nōbīscum (with us), vōbīscum (with you all), sēcum (with himself/herself/themselves)
2. Cum as a Conjunction
Usually followed by the subjunctive mood
Three main meanings:
Temporal (when): Describes time relationships
Causal (since/because): Explains reasons
Concessive (although): Shows contrast
Common Mistakes
Case confusion: Using accusative instead of ablative after prepositional "cum"
Wrong: cum amīcum (accusative)
Right: cum amīcō (ablative)
Mood confusion: Using indicative instead of subjunctive with conjunctional "cum"
Wrong: cum venit (indicative)
Right: cum veniat (subjunctive)
Word order with pronouns: Forgetting that pronouns combine with cum
Wrong: cum mē
Right: mēcum
Comparison Between English and Latin
English uses separate words for different meanings ("with," "when," "since," "although"), while Latin uses context and grammar (case/mood) to distinguish meanings of the single word "cum."
Step-by-Step Guide
Identify the type: Is there a noun in the ablative after cum? → Preposition
Check for verb: Is there a subjunctive verb in the clause? → Conjunction
Determine meaning:
Time reference? → "when"
Giving a reason? → "since"
Showing contrast? → "although"
Grammatical Summary
Prepositional cum:
cum + ablative case
Forms: cum amīcō, cum patriā, cum cūrā
Special pronoun forms:
mēcum, tēcum, sēcum, nōbīscum, vōbīscum
Conjunctional cum:
cum + subjunctive (usually)
Present subjunctive: cum veniat (when/since/although he comes)
Imperfect subjunctive: cum venīret (when/since/although he was coming)
Perfect subjunctive: cum vēnerit (when/since/although he has come)
Pluperfect subjunctive: cum vēnisset (when/since/although he had come)
Special Forms Explained
"loquerne" (example 10.11)
loquor = deponent verb meaning "I speak"
loquer = 1st person singular present subjunctive
-ne = interrogative particle meaning "?"
loquerne = "should I speak?" or "am I to speak?"
This is a deliberative subjunctive question, asking for advice
"habitem" (example 10.22)
habitō = "I live, I dwell"
habitem = 1st person singular present subjunctive
Used here with "cum" in a concessive clause
"Cum procul habitem" = "Although I live far away"
The subjunctive is required because cum means "although" here
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Part E (Cultural Context)
For English speakers learning conversational Latin, understanding "cum" provides insight into Roman social values. The frequent use of "cum" in expressions of accompaniment reflects the Roman emphasis on community and social bonds. Romans rarely acted alone; they valued collective action and social harmony.
In daily conversation, Romans would use "cum" constantly - inviting friends to dinner (cum amīcīs cēnāre), conducting business (cum mercātōre loquī), or describing family life (cum līberīs ludere). The special pronoun forms (mēcum, tēcum) show how integral the concept of "togetherness" was to Latin expression.
The conjunction "cum" appears frequently in storytelling and explanation, allowing Romans to express complex relationships between events. This grammatical flexibility made Latin particularly suited for legal, philosophical, and rhetorical discourse - areas where Romans excelled.
Modern Latin conversation maintains these patterns. When speaking Latin today, using "cum" correctly marks you as someone who understands not just grammar but the social fabric of Latin expression.
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Part F (Literary Citation)
From the Colloquia Scholica (Medieval Conversational Dialogues)
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Cum when māne in the morning surrēxerim I have risen, prīmum first ōrō I pray. Deinde then cum with familiā the household meā my ientāculum breakfast sūmō I take. Cum since necesse necessary sit it is ad to scholam school īre to go, librum book meum my mēcum with me portō I carry. Magister the teacher, cum when mē me vīderit he has seen, benignē kindly salūtat greets.
Part F-B (Complete Text with Translation)
Cum māne surrēxerim, prīmum ōrō. Deinde cum familiā meā ientāculum sūmō. Cum necesse sit ad scholam īre, librum meum mēcum portō. Magister, cum mē vīderit, benignē salūtat.
When I have risen in the morning, I pray first. Then I take breakfast with my household. Since it is necessary to go to school, I carry my book with me. The teacher, when he has seen me, greets me kindly.
Part F-C (Latin Text Only)
Cum māne surrēxerim, prīmum ōrō. Deinde cum familiā meā ientāculum sūmō. Cum necesse sit ad scholam īre, librum meum mēcum portō. Magister, cum mē vīderit, benignē salūtat.
Part F-D (Grammatical Notes)
This passage demonstrates multiple uses of "cum":
Temporal cum with perfect subjunctive: "cum surrēxerim" (when I have risen)
Prepositional cum with ablative: "cum familiā meā" (with my household)
Causal cum with present subjunctive: "cum necesse sit" (since it is necessary)
Special pronoun form: "mēcum" (with me)
Temporal cum with perfect subjunctive: "cum vīderit" (when he has seen)
The text shows how medieval students learned Latin through practical, daily scenarios, making it perfect for modern conversational Latin study.
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Genre Section: Epistolary Dialogue
Part A (Interleaved Text)
10.16 Cum when tuās your litterās letter accēperim I have received, valdē greatly gaudēbō I will rejoice.
10.17 Scrībō I write tibī to you cum with magnā great cūrā care dē about nostrīs our rēbus affairs.
10.18 Cum since diū for a long time nōn not scrīpserīs you have written, dē about tē you sollicitus worried sum I am.
10.19 Epistulam the letter tuam your cum with gaudiō joy lēgī I read herī yesterday.
10.20 Cum when respondēre to respond poteris you will be able, mittē send mihi to me nūntium a message.
10.21 Vīvō I live hīc here cum with familiā family meā my fēlīciter happily.
10.22 Cum although procul far away habitem I live, tē you semper always in in animō mind habeō I have.
10.23 Scrībe write mihi to me cum when Rōmam to Rome pervēnerīs you have arrived.
10.24 Cum with frātre brother tuō your negōtium business gessī I conducted hāc this hebdomade week.
10.25 Cum since valēre to be well tē you sciam I know, minus less anxius anxious sum I am.
10.26 Mitte send librum the book illum that mēcum with me per through servum the slave.
10.27 Cum when aestās summer vēnerit has come, tē you invīsam I will visit.
10.28 Nārrā tell mihi me cum when scrībēs you write omnia all things nova new.
10.29 Cum although occupātus busy sīs you are, memor mindful nostrī of us es you are semper always.
10.30 Valē farewell et and cum with cūrā care tē yourself custōdī guard.
Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)
10.16 Cum tuās litterās accēperim, valdē gaudēbō. When I receive your letter, I will rejoice greatly.
10.17 Scrībō tibī cum magnā cūrā dē nostrīs rēbus. I write to you with great care about our affairs.
10.18 Cum diū nōn scrīpserīs, dē tē sollicitus sum. Since you have not written for a long time, I am worried about you.
10.19 Epistulam tuam cum gaudiō lēgī herī. I read your letter with joy yesterday.
10.20 Cum respondēre poteris, mittē mihi nūntium. When you are able to respond, send me a message.
10.21 Vīvō hīc cum familiā meā fēlīciter. I live here happily with my family.
10.22 Cum procul habitem, tē semper in animō habeō. Although I live far away, I always have you in mind.
10.23 Scrībe mihi cum Rōmam pervēnerīs. Write to me when you have arrived in Rome.
10.24 Cum frātre tuō negōtium gessī hāc hebdomade. I conducted business with your brother this week.
10.25 Cum valēre tē sciam, minus anxius sum. Since I know you are well, I am less anxious.
10.26 Mitte librum illum mēcum per servum. Send that book with me through the slave.
10.27 Cum aestās vēnerit, tē invīsam. When summer has come, I will visit you.
10.28 Nārrā mihi cum scrībēs omnia nova. Tell me all the news when you write.
10.29 Cum occupātus sīs, memor nostrī es semper. Although you are busy, you are always mindful of us.
10.30 Valē et cum cūrā tē custōdī. Farewell and guard yourself with care.
Part C (Latin Text Only)
10.16 Cum tuās litterās accēperim, valdē gaudēbō.
10.17 Scrībō tibī cum magnā cūrā dē nostrīs rēbus.
10.18 Cum diū nōn scrīpserīs, dē tē sollicitus sum.
10.19 Epistulam tuam cum gaudiō lēgī herī.
10.20 Cum respondēre poteris, mittē mihi nūntium.
10.21 Vīvō hīc cum familiā meā fēlīciter.
10.22 Cum procul habitem, tē semper in animō habeō.
10.23 Scrībe mihi cum Rōmam pervēnerīs.
10.24 Cum frātre tuō negōtium gessī hāc hebdomade.
10.25 Cum valēre tē sciam, minus anxius sum.
10.26 Mitte librum illum mēcum per servum.
10.27 Cum aestās vēnerit, tē invīsam.
10.28 Nārrā mihi cum scrībēs omnia nova.
10.29 Cum occupātus sīs, memor nostrī es semper.
10.30 Valē et cum cūrā tē custōdī.
Part D (Grammar Analysis of Epistolary Examples)
Epistolary Conventions with "cum"
Letters in Latin follow specific patterns that frequently employ "cum" in various ways:
1. Future More Vivid Conditions
Example: "Cum tuās litterās accēperim, valdē gaudēbō" (10.16)
Pattern: cum + future perfect subjunctive, future indicative
English: "When I (shall) have received... I will..."
2. Emotional Context with Prepositional "cum"
Example: "cum gaudiō lēgī" (10.19), "cum magnā cūrā" (10.17)
Shows the emotional state accompanying actions
Common in personal correspondence
3. Explanatory "cum" Clauses
Example: "Cum diū nōn scrīpserīs, dē tē sollicitus sum" (10.18)
Explains the writer's current state or actions
Perfect subjunctive shows completed action affecting present
4. Concessive "cum" in Polite Expression
Example: "Cum occupātus sīs, memor nostrī es" (10.29)
Acknowledges recipient's situation while expressing appreciation
Common courtesy formula in Roman letters
Letter-Writing Formulas
Opening formulas often use cum:
Request for response: "Cum respondēre poteris..." (10.20)
Time references: "Cum aestās vēnerit..." (10.27)
Closing formulas:
Care and concern: "cum cūrā tē custōdī" (10.30)
Shows ongoing relationship
Word Order in Letters
Notice the varied placement for stylistic effect:
Initial position for time emphasis: "Cum tuās litterās accēperim..."
Embedded for smooth flow: "Scrībō tibī cum magnā cūrā..."
Final position for emotional weight: "Epistulam tuam cum gaudiō lēgī"
Tense Usage in Epistolary "cum"
Future perfect subjunctive → future time from writer's perspective
Perfect subjunctive → completed past affecting present
Present subjunctive → current states or general truths
Imperfect subjunctive → ongoing past situations
These patterns help create the intimate, conversational tone characteristic of Latin personal letters.
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