Lesson 2: Conversational Latin

sum, esse, fuī, futūrum (to be, exist)

Introduction

The verb "sum" (to be) is the most fundamental verb in Latin, just as "to be" is in English. It's an irregular verb that doesn't follow the standard conjugation patterns, making it essential to learn its unique forms. In conversational Latin, "sum" appears constantly - in greetings, introductions, descriptions, and countless everyday expressions.

FAQ Schema Q: What does "sum" mean in Latin? A: "Sum" means "I am" and is the first person singular present form of the verb "esse" (to be). The verb expresses existence, identity, location, and serves as a linking verb between subjects and their attributes.

In this lesson, we'll explore how "sum" and its various forms function in natural Latin conversation. You'll encounter it in questions and answers, showing how Romans actually used this verb in daily speech. The examples progress from simple statements to more complex conversational exchanges, always maintaining a focus on practical, spoken Latin.

Educational Schema

• Course: Conversational Latin for English Speakers

• Level: Beginner

• Topic: Irregular Verb "sum" (to be)

• Learning Objectives: Master all forms of "sum" in conversational contexts

• Prerequisites: Basic understanding of Latin pronunciation and noun cases

Key Takeaways

• "Sum" is completely irregular and must be memorized

• It functions as both a main verb (exist) and linking verb (connecting subjects to predicates)

• Word order with "sum" is highly flexible in Latin

• Questions often omit the verb "sum" when the meaning is clear

• Future infinitive "fore" is commonly used instead of "futūrum esse"

Part A (Interleaved English and Latin Text)

2.1 Quis who es are tū you? Ego I sum am Mārcus Marcus

2.2 Ubi where est is pater father tuus your? In in forō forum est he is

2.3 Sumusne are we amīcī friends? Certē certainly estis you are amīcī friends meī my

2.4 Fēlīx happy erō I will be sī if venīs you come

2.5 Nōn not sunt they are hīc here librī books tuī your

2.6 Potesne are you able esse to be mēcum with me hodiē today?

2.7 Quandō when erit will be tempus time cēnae of dinner?

2.8 Nunc now in in hortō garden sumus we are omnēs all

2.9 Quid what est is nōmen name tibi to you? Iūlia Julia mihi to me nōmen name est is

2.10 Erat was frīgus cold herī yesterday sed but hodiē today calidus warm est it is

2.11 Esne are you parātus ready ad for iter journey? Parātissimus most ready sum I am

2.12 Dīc tell mihi me ubi where fuistī you were māne in morning

2.13 Crās tomorrow erit will be diēs day fēstus festive. Eruntne will there be lūdī games?

2.14 Num surely not es are you īrātus angry? Minimē not at all, laetus happy sum I am

2.15 Fortasse perhaps erunt they will be plūrēs more hospitēs guests quam than exspectāmus we expect

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Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)

2.1 Quis es tū? Ego sum Mārcus. Who are you? I am Marcus.

2.2 Ubi est pater tuus? In forō est. Where is your father? He is in the forum.

2.3 Sumusne amīcī? Certē estis amīcī meī. Are we friends? Certainly you are my friends.

2.4 Fēlīx erō sī venīs. I will be happy if you come.

2.5 Nōn sunt hīc librī tuī. Your books are not here.

2.6 Potesne esse mēcum hodiē? Can you be with me today?

2.7 Quandō erit tempus cēnae? When will dinner time be?

2.8 Nunc in hortō sumus omnēs. Now we are all in the garden.

2.9 Quid est nōmen tibi? Iūlia mihi nōmen est. What is your name? My name is Julia.

2.10 Erat frīgus herī sed hodiē calidus est. It was cold yesterday but today it is warm.

2.11 Esne parātus ad iter? Parātissimus sum. Are you ready for the journey? I am most ready.

2.12 Dīc mihi ubi fuistī māne. Tell me where you were in the morning.

2.13 Crās erit diēs fēstus. Eruntne lūdī? Tomorrow will be a holiday. Will there be games?

2.14 Num es īrātus? Minimē, laetus sum. Surely you're not angry? Not at all, I am happy.

2.15 Fortasse erunt plūrēs hospitēs quam exspectāmus. Perhaps there will be more guests than we expect.

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Part C (Latin Text Only)

2.1 Quis es tū? Ego sum Mārcus.

2.2 Ubi est pater tuus? In forō est.

2.3 Sumusne amīcī? Certē estis amīcī meī.

2.4 Fēlīx erō sī venīs.

2.5 Nōn sunt hīc librī tuī.

2.6 Potesne esse mēcum hodiē?

2.7 Quandō erit tempus cēnae?

2.8 Nunc in hortō sumus omnēs.

2.9 Quid est nōmen tibi? Iūlia mihi nōmen est.

2.10 Erat frīgus herī sed hodiē calidus est.

2.11 Esne parātus ad iter? Parātissimus sum.

2.12 Dīc mihi ubi fuistī māne.

2.13 Crās erit diēs fēstus. Eruntne lūdī?

2.14 Num es īrātus? Minimē, laetus sum.

2.15 Fortasse erunt plūrēs hospitēs quam exspectāmus.

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Part D (Grammar Explanation)

Grammar Rules for "sum, esse, fuī, futūrum"

The verb "sum" is completely irregular and doesn't follow any of the four regular conjugation patterns in Latin. English speakers must memorize each form individually.

Present Tense Forms:

• sum (I am)

• es (you are - singular)

• est (he/she/it is)

• sumus (we are)

• estis (you are - plural)

• sunt (they are)

Imperfect Tense Forms:

• eram (I was)

• erās (you were)

• erat (he/she/it was)

• erāmus (we were)

• erātis (you were - plural)

• erant (they were)

Future Tense Forms:

• erō (I will be)

• eris (you will be)

• erit (he/she/it will be)

• erimus (we will be)

• eritis (you will be - plural)

• erunt (they will be)

Perfect Tense Forms:

• fuī (I was/have been)

• fuistī (you were/have been)

• fuit (he/she/it was/has been)

• fuimus (we were/have been)

• fuistis (you were/have been - plural)

• fuērunt/fuēre (they were/have been)

Infinitives:

• esse (to be - present)

• fuisse (to have been - perfect)

• futūrum esse/fore (to be about to be - future)

Common Mistakes

1. Confusing est/et: English speakers often confuse "est" (is) with "et" (and). Remember: "est" has a clear 's' sound.

2. Word Order: Unlike English, Latin allows great flexibility. "Mārcus est bonus" and "Bonus est Mārcus" both mean "Marcus is good," but with different emphasis.

3. Omitting the Verb: While Latin can omit "sum" in some contexts, beginners often omit it when it's actually needed for clarity.

4. Agreement: The verb must agree with its subject in number. "Librī sunt" (books are), not "Librī est."

5. Double Nominative: With "sum," both the subject and predicate take nominative case: "Mārcus est medicus" (Marcus is a doctor).

Step-by-Step Guide for Using "sum"

1. Identify the subject - Who or what is doing the being?

2. Choose the correct person and number - Is it I, you, he/she/it, we, you all, or they?

3. Select the appropriate tense - Present, past, or future?

4. Remember case agreement - Both subject and predicate nominative take nominative case

5. Consider word order for emphasis - What do you want to stress?

Comparison with English

Unlike English, which uses "to be" with continuous tenses ("I am walking"), Latin doesn't use "sum" this way. Latin uses simple tenses: "ambulō" (I walk/I am walking).

English uses "there is/are" constructions, but Latin simply uses "est/sunt": "Est puer in hortō" (There is a boy in the garden).

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Part E (Cultural Context)

For English speakers learning conversational Latin, understanding how Romans used "sum" in daily life provides crucial context. Unlike modern European languages where "to be" often appears in formal contexts, Romans used "sum" constantly in casual conversation.

In Roman greetings, people often asked "Quōmodo valēs?" (How are you?), to which one might respond "Valeō, et tū?" rather than using "sum." However, for describing one's state or location, "sum" was essential: "In tabernā sum" (I'm at the shop).

Romans frequently omitted "sum" in proverbs and maxims for brevity: "Errāre hūmānum" (To err is human) implies "est." This ellipsis also appeared in casual speech, especially in responses where context made the verb obvious.

The phrase "Quid nōmen tibi est?" (What is your name?) shows the Roman preference for dative of possession with "sum" rather than a possessive adjective. This construction feels foreign to English speakers but was natural in Latin conversation.

Social status influenced usage. Slaves might say "Servus sum" (I am a slave) when identifying themselves, while citizens proclaimed "Cīvis Rōmānus sum" (I am a Roman citizen) - a phrase carrying legal weight.

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Part F (Literary Citation)

From the Colloquia Scholica (Medieval School Dialogues), specifically from the "Colloquium de Rebus Domesticis":

Part F-A (Interleaved Text)

Ubi where fuistī were you herī yesterday? In in scholā school fuī I was māne in morning, sed but post after merīdiem midday domī at home eram I was. Quid what fēcistī did you do? Studuī I studied litterīs letters Graecīs Greek. Esne are you iam now doctus learned? Nōndum not yet sum I am doctus learned, sed but spērō I hope mē me fore to be going to be aliquandō someday.

Part F-B (Complete Translation)

Ubi fuistī herī? In scholā fuī māne, sed post merīdiem domī eram. Quid fēcistī? Studuī litterīs Graecīs. Esne iam doctus? Nōndum sum doctus, sed spērō mē fore aliquandō.

Where were you yesterday? I was at school in the morning, but after midday I was at home. What did you do? I studied Greek literature. Are you learned now? I am not yet learned, but I hope I will be someday.

Part F-C (Latin Text Only)

Ubi fuistī herī? In scholā fuī māne, sed post merīdiem domī eram. Quid fēcistī? Studuī litterīs Graecīs. Esne iam doctus? Nōndum sum doctus, sed spērō mē fore aliquandō.

Part F-D (Grammatical Notes)

This dialogue beautifully demonstrates multiple forms of "sum":

• "fuistī" - perfect tense, second person singular

• "fuī" - perfect tense, first person singular

• "eram" - imperfect tense, showing continuing state

• "esne" - present tense with interrogative particle -ne

• "sum" - present tense, negative statement

• "fore" - future infinitive in indirect statement

Note the natural conversational flow with questions and answers, the shift between perfect (completed action) and imperfect (continuing state), and the use of "fore" instead of "futūrum esse" in the indirect statement with "spērō."

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Genre Section: Construed Corderius - Market Dialogue

Part A (Interleaved Text)

2.16 Salvē hello, amīce friend! Esne are you mercātor merchant novus new in in forō forum?

2.17 Salvē hello! Sum I am quidem indeed. Heri yesterday prīmum first vēnī I came.

2.18 Unde from where es are you? Ex from Galliā Gaul an or ex from Hispāniā Spain?

2.19 Neque neither ex from Galliā Gaul neque nor ex from Hispāniā Spain sum I am, sed but ex from Graeciā Greece.

2.20 Quid what vēndis do you sell? Suntne are they rēs things pretiōsae precious?

2.21 Vīnum wine optimum best et and oleum oil vēndō I sell. Sunt they are rēs things bonae good sed but nōn not nimis too cārae expensive.

2.22 Ubi where est is taberna shop tua your? Estne is it prope near basilicam basilica?

2.23 Nōn not procul far ā from basilicā basilica est it is. Vīsne do you want venīre to come mēcum with me?

2.24 Libenter gladly veniam I will come. Sed but quandō when eris will you be in in tabernā shop?

2.25 Semper always ibi there sum I am ā from prīmā first lūce light usque until ad to vesperum evening.

2.26 Esne are you sōlus alone in in tabernā shop? An or sunt are there servī slaves quī who tē you adiuvant help?

2.27 Duo two servī slaves mēcum with me sunt are. Fidēlēs faithful sunt they are et and industriī industrious.

2.28 Fēlīx fortunate es you are! Bonī good servī slaves rārī rare sunt are hodiē today.

2.29 Vērum true dīcis you say. Grātus grateful sum I am quod because tālēs such servōs slaves habeō I have.

2.30 Vale farewell, amīce friend! Crās tomorrow in in tabernā shop tuā your erō I will be.

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Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)

2.16 Salvē, amīce! Esne mercātor novus in forō? Hello, friend! Are you a new merchant in the forum?

2.17 Salvē! Sum quidem. Heri prīmum vēnī. Hello! I am indeed. I came for the first time yesterday.

2.18 Unde es? Ex Galliā an ex Hispāniā? Where are you from? From Gaul or from Spain?

2.19 Neque ex Galliā neque ex Hispāniā sum, sed ex Graeciā. I am neither from Gaul nor from Spain, but from Greece.

2.20 Quid vēndis? Suntne rēs pretiōsae? What do you sell? Are they precious things?

2.21 Vīnum optimum et oleum vēndō. Sunt rēs bonae sed nōn nimis cārae. I sell excellent wine and oil. They are good things but not too expensive.

2.22 Ubi est taberna tua? Estne prope basilicam? Where is your shop? Is it near the basilica?

2.23 Nōn procul ā basilicā est. Vīsne venīre mēcum? It is not far from the basilica. Do you want to come with me?

2.24 Libenter veniam. Sed quandō eris in tabernā? I will gladly come. But when will you be in the shop?

2.25 Semper ibi sum ā prīmā lūce usque ad vesperum. I am always there from first light until evening.

2.26 Esne sōlus in tabernā? An sunt servī quī tē adiuvant? Are you alone in the shop? Or are there slaves who help you?

2.27 Duo servī mēcum sunt. Fidēlēs sunt et industriī. Two slaves are with me. They are faithful and industrious.

2.28 Fēlīx es! Bonī servī rārī sunt hodiē. You are fortunate! Good slaves are rare today.

2.29 Vērum dīcis. Grātus sum quod tālēs servōs habeō. You speak the truth. I am grateful that I have such slaves.

2.30 Vale, amīce! Crās in tabernā tuā erō. Farewell, friend! Tomorrow I will be in your shop.

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Part C (Latin Text Only)

2.16 Salvē, amīce! Esne mercātor novus in forō?

2.17 Salvē! Sum quidem. Heri prīmum vēnī.

2.18 Unde es? Ex Galliā an ex Hispāniā?

2.19 Neque ex Galliā neque ex Hispāniā sum, sed ex Graeciā.

2.20 Quid vēndis? Suntne rēs pretiōsae?

2.21 Vīnum optimum et oleum vēndō. Sunt rēs bonae sed nōn nimis cārae.

2.22 Ubi est taberna tua? Estne prope basilicam?

2.23 Nōn procul ā basilicā est. Vīsne venīre mēcum?

2.24 Libenter veniam. Sed quandō eris in tabernā?

2.25 Semper ibi sum ā prīmā lūce usque ad vesperum.

2.26 Esne sōlus in tabernā? An sunt servī quī tē adiuvant?

2.27 Duo servī mēcum sunt. Fidēlēs sunt et industriī.

2.28 Fēlīx es! Bonī servī rārī sunt hodiē.

2.29 Vērum dīcis. Grātus sum quod tālēs servōs habeō.

2.30 Vale, amīce! Crās in tabernā tuā erō.

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Part D (Grammar Explanation for Market Dialogue)

This Corderius-style dialogue showcases "sum" in authentic conversational contexts:

Question Formation with "sum"

1. Enclitic -ne: "Esne mercātor novus?" - The particle -ne attached to the verb creates a yes/no question.

2. Alternative Questions: "Ex Galliā an ex Hispāniā?" - Using "an" (or) to present options.

3. Information Questions: "Unde es?" (Where are you from?) - Question words don't require -ne.

Natural Word Order Variations

Notice how Romans varied placement of "sum" for different effects:

• Emphasis on identity: "Sum quidem" (I am indeed)

• Emphasis on location: "Nōn procul ā basilicā est" (Not far from the basilica it is)

• Natural flow: "Duo servī mēcum sunt" (Two slaves are with me)

Predicate Nominatives and Adjectives

With "sum," both subject and predicate take nominative:

• "Esne mercātor?" (Are you a merchant?)

• "Fidēlēs sunt" (They are faithful)

• "Bonī servī rārī sunt" (Good slaves are rare)

Time Expressions with "sum"

"Semper ibi sum ā prīmā lūce usque ad vesperum" demonstrates:

• Locative "ibi" (there) with "sum"

• Time duration with "ā...usque ad" (from...until)

• Word order emphasizing "always"

Conversational Particles

• "quidem" - indeed (emphasizing agreement)

• "an" - or (in questions)

• "neque...neque" - neither...nor

These particles make Latin conversation flow naturally and show the speaker's attitude.

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About This Course

The Latinum Institute's Latin Reading Course represents a comprehensive approach to learning Latin through natural, contextualized reading. Created by Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), who has been developing online language learning materials since 2006, these lessons follow the principles outlined at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk.

This course is specifically designed for autodidacts - self-directed learners who want to master Latin independently. Unlike traditional grammar-translation methods, the Latinum approach emphasizes:

• Construed texts that break down Latin into comprehensible chunks

• Natural word order as actually used by Roman authors

• Conversational patterns for practical communication

• Progressive difficulty building systematically on previous knowledge

• Cultural context to understand how Romans actually used their language

Each lesson follows a consistent structure that maximizes learning efficiency:

• Part A provides word-by-word glossing for absolute beginners

• Part B shows natural translations in both languages

• Part C offers pure Latin immersion

• Part D explains grammar in accessible terms for English speakers

• Part E provides cultural background

• Part F introduces authentic Latin texts

The genre sections expose learners to various styles of Latin writing, from philosophical dialogues to personal letters, ensuring well-rounded competence.

The Latinum Institute has earned recognition for its effective teaching methods, as evidenced by reviews at https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk. The course materials are continuously refined based on decades of teaching experience and student feedback.

For autodidacts, this structured approach offers several advantages:

• Learn at your own pace without depending on class schedules

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The conversational focus ensures that learners can engage with Latin as a living language, not merely as an academic exercise. This approach has helped thousands of students worldwide achieve Latin fluency.

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