Lesson 24: Conversational Latin

aut orConjunction

Introduction

The conjunction aut means "or" in Latin and is one of the most essential words for forming questions and presenting alternatives in conversation. Unlike English which uses "or" for all types of alternatives, Latin distinguishes between exclusive alternatives (aut...aut = either...or) and inclusive alternatives (vel = or, in the sense of "possibly both"). In this lesson, we'll focus on aut and its conversational uses.

Definition: aut is a coordinating conjunction that presents mutually exclusive alternatives, similar to "either...or" in English.

FAQ Schema

Question: What does "aut" mean in Latin?
Answer: "Aut" means "or" in Latin, specifically used for exclusive alternatives where only one option can be true or chosen.

In this lesson, aut will appear in various positions within sentences, showing its flexibility in Latin word order. You'll encounter it in questions, statements, and reported speech, reflecting how Romans actually used it in daily conversation.

Educational Schema

educationalLevel: Beginner to Intermediate
learningResourceType: Language Learning Material
subject: Latin Language
teaches: Conversational Latin conjunctions and alternatives
typicalAgeRange: 14+

Key Takeaways

• aut presents exclusive alternatives (either/or, not both)

• Often doubled as aut...aut for emphasis

• Different from vel which allows inclusive alternatives

• Essential for forming conversational questions

• Flexible word placement in Latin sentences

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Part A (Interleaved English and Latin Text)

24.1 Vīnum wine aut or aquam water vīs do you want ?

24.2 Hodiē today aut or crās tomorrow veniam I will come

24.3 Tū you mē me amās love aut or nōn not ?

24.4 Aut either Caesar Caesar aut or Pompēius Pompey vincet will conquer

24.5 Dīcit he says sē himself aut either manēre to remain aut or abīre to depart velle to want

24.6 Mēcum with me aut or cum with eō him īs will you go ?

24.7 Scīsne do you know aut whether vīvit he lives aut or mortuus dead est is ?

24.8 Aut either studē study aut or discēde depart !

24.9 Interrogat he asks num whether argentum silver aut or aurum gold habeam I have

24.10 In in forō forum aut or domī at home eris will you be ?

24.11 Aut either vērum truth dīc speak aut or tacē be silent !

24.12 Putāsne do you think eum him stultum foolish aut or sapientem wise esse to be ?

24.13 Respondē answer mihi to me aut either hīc here aut or ibi there erō I will be

24.14 Nescit he doesn't know utrum whether eat he should go aut or maneat he should remain

24.15 Aut either amīcus friend es you are aut or hostis enemy noster our

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Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)

24.1 Vīnum aut aquam vīs? Do you want wine or water?

24.2 Hodiē aut crās veniam. I'll come today or tomorrow.

24.3 Tū mē amās aut nōn? Do you love me or not?

24.4 Aut Caesar aut Pompēius vincet. Either Caesar or Pompey will win.

24.5 Dīcit sē aut manēre aut abīre velle. He says he wants either to stay or to leave.

24.6 Mēcum aut cum eō īs? Are you going with me or with him?

24.7 Scīsne vīvit aut mortuus est? Do you know whether he's alive or dead?

24.8 Aut studē aut discēde! Either study or leave!

24.9 Interrogat num argentum aut aurum habeam. He asks whether I have silver or gold.

24.10 In forō aut domī eris? Will you be in the forum or at home?

24.11 Aut vērum dīc aut tacē! Either speak the truth or be silent!

24.12 Putāsne eum stultum aut sapientem esse? Do you think he's foolish or wise?

24.13 Respondē mihi - aut hīc aut ibi erō. Answer me - I'll be either here or there.

24.14 Nescit utrum eat aut maneat. He doesn't know whether to go or stay.

24.15 Aut amīcus es aut hostis noster. You're either a friend or our enemy.

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Part C (Latin Text Only)

24.1 Vīnum aut aquam vīs?

24.2 Hodiē aut crās veniam.

24.3 Tū mē amās aut nōn?

24.4 Aut Caesar aut Pompēius vincet.

24.5 Dīcit sē aut manēre aut abīre velle.

24.6 Mēcum aut cum eō īs?

24.7 Scīsne vīvit aut mortuus est?

24.8 Aut studē aut discēde!

24.9 Interrogat num argentum aut aurum habeam.

24.10 In forō aut domī eris?

24.11 Aut vērum dīc aut tacē!

24.12 Putāsne eum stultum aut sapientem esse?

24.13 Respondē mihi - aut hīc aut ibi erō.

24.14 Nescit utrum eat aut maneat.

24.15 Aut amīcus es aut hostis noster.

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Part D (Grammar Explanation)

Grammar Rules for aut

Aut is a coordinating conjunction that connects words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical importance. Here are the essential rules:

1. Basic Usage: Aut presents exclusive alternatives - only one option can be true or chosen.

   • Example: Vīnum aut aquam (wine or water - not both)

2. Doubled Construction: Aut...aut emphasizes the exclusivity of the choice.

   • Example: Aut Caesar aut Pompēius (Either Caesar or Pompey)

3. Word Order: Unlike English, aut can appear in various positions:

   • Between alternatives: hodiē aut crās (today or tomorrow)

   • At the beginning for emphasis: Aut studē aut discēde! (Either study or leave!)

4. With Questions:

   • Direct questions: Tū mē amās aut nōn? (Do you love me or not?)

   • Indirect questions: Scīsne vīvit aut mortuus est? (Do you know whether he's alive or dead?)

5. In Reported Speech: When reporting alternatives, use infinitive constructions:

   • Dīcit sē aut manēre aut abīre velle (He says he wants either to stay or to leave)

Common Mistakes

1. Confusing aut with vel:

   • Aut = exclusive (either/or, not both)

   • Vel = inclusive (or, possibly both)

   • Wrong: Pānem vel vīnum vīs? (if you mean to offer only one)

   • Right: Pānem aut vīnum vīs? (Do you want bread or wine?)

2. Forgetting to repeat aut for emphasis:

   • Weak: Caesar aut Pompēius vincet

   • Strong: Aut Caesar aut Pompēius vincet

3. Word order in questions: English speakers often place aut too late:

   • Awkward: Amāsne mē aut nōn?

   • Natural: Tū mē amās aut nōn?

Comparison with English

English uses "or" for both exclusive and inclusive alternatives, while Latin distinguishes:

• English: "Would you like tea or coffee?" (ambiguous)

• Latin: Theam aut coffēam vīs? (exclusive - one or the other)

• Latin: Theam vel coffēam vīs? (inclusive - one, the other, or both)

Step-by-Step Guide for Using aut

1. Identify the type of choice: Is it exclusive (only one option) or inclusive (possibly both)?

2. Choose the conjunction: Use aut for exclusive, vel for inclusive

3. Consider emphasis: Use aut...aut for strong either/or statements

4. Place appropriately:

   • Simple alternatives: place between them

   • Emphatic statements: begin with aut

   • Questions: often end with aut nōn?

Grammatical Summary

• Type: Coordinating conjunction

• Meaning: or (exclusive)

• Doubled form: aut...aut (either...or)

• Connects: Words, phrases, or clauses of equal rank

• Common phrases:

  • aut...aut (either...or)

  • aut nōn (or not)

  • utrum...aut (whether...or)

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Part E (Cultural Context)

For English speakers learning conversational Latin, understanding aut reveals important aspects of Roman thinking and communication:

Precision in Choice

Romans valued precise communication, especially in legal and philosophical contexts. The distinction between aut (exclusive) and vel (inclusive) reflects this precision. In the Senate, when proposing alternatives, speakers would carefully choose aut to make clear that only one option was possible.

Rhetorical Force

The doubled construction aut...aut was a favorite rhetorical device. Cicero frequently used it in his speeches to present stark choices to his audience. This construction forces listeners to choose sides - there's no middle ground.

Daily Conversation

In markets and taverns, aut appeared in practical questions:

• Pānem aut carnem emis? (Are you buying bread or meat?)

• Hodiē aut crās? (Today or tomorrow?)

These weren't philosophical choices but practical decisions that shaped daily Roman life.

Educational Practice

Roman teachers used aut to test students' understanding:

• Graecē aut Latīnē respondē! (Answer in Greek or Latin!) This forced students to demonstrate competence in one language or the other.

Modern Relevance

For modern Latin speakers, aut remains essential for:

• Academic discussions requiring precise alternatives

• Neo-Latin compositions where clarity is paramount

• Understanding classical texts where choices drive narratives

The Roman attention to exclusive versus inclusive "or" can help English speakers become more precise in their own language use, distinguishing between "Would you like tea or coffee?" (probably exclusive) and "Bring pens or pencils" (probably inclusive).

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Part F (Literary Citation)

From Erasmus, Colloquia Familiaria (Convivium Religiosum):

Part F-A (Interleaved Text)

Eusebius Eusebius inquit says : " Placetne does it please vōbīs you all aut either in in hōc this viridiāriō garden aut or in in illā that porticu colonnade prandēre to lunch ?" ? Theophilus Theophilus respondet replies : " Utrōque in both locō place iūcundum pleasant erit it will be sed but tū you aut either hunc this aut or illum that locum place ēlige choose ."

Part F-B (Complete Translation)

Eusebius inquit: "Placetne vōbīs aut in hōc viridiāriō aut in illā porticu prandēre?" Theophilus respondet: "Utrōque locō iūcundum erit, sed tū aut hunc aut illum locum ēlige."

Eusebius says: "Would you like to lunch either in this garden or in that colonnade?" Theophilus replies: "It will be pleasant in either place, but you choose either this or that location."

Part F-C (Literary Analysis)

Erasmus demonstrates the conversational use of aut in this dining dialogue. Notice how:

• Eusebius uses aut...aut to present two exclusive dining locations

• Theophilus cleverly acknowledges both options would be pleasant but insists on a single choice

• The repetition of aut in Theophilus's response emphasizes that only one location can be selected

Part F-D (Grammatical Notes)

• Placetne: Impersonal verb with dative (vōbīs)

• aut in hōc viridiāriō aut in illā porticu: Parallel prepositional phrases connected by aut...aut

• Utrōque locō: Ablative of place, showing both options considered together

• tū...ēlige: Emphatic pronoun with imperative, putting the choice back on Eusebius

• aut hunc aut illum locum: Direct objects with demonstratives, maintaining the exclusive choice

This passage perfectly illustrates how aut functions in polite conversation - presenting clear alternatives while maintaining social grace.

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Genre Section: Scholastic Dialogue

Part A (Interleaved Text)

24.16 Magister teacher : " Quid what māius greater est is aut either sapientia wisdom aut or dīvitiāe riches ?"

24.17 Discipulus student prīmus first : " Aut either errō I err aut or sapientia wisdom melior better est is ."

24.18 Magister teacher : " Cūr why aut either hesitās do you hesitate aut or dubitās doubt ?"

24.19 Discipulus student secundus second : " Aut either nōn not intellegō I understand aut or timidus fearful sum I am ."

24.20 Magister teacher : " Nōlī don't aut either timēre fear aut or pudōrem shame sentīre feel !"

24.21 Discipulus student tertius third : " Putō I think nōs us aut either dīscere to learn aut or perīre to perish dēbēre ought ."

24.22 Magister teacher : " Vērum true dīcis you say sed but aut either citō quickly aut or tardē slowly dīscitis you all learn ?"

24.23 Omnēs all discipulī students : " Aut either doce teach nōs us aut or domum home mittē send !"

24.24 Magister teacher : " Manēbitis you will remain et and aut either sapientēs wise aut or stultī foolish discēdētis you will depart ."

24.25 Discipulus student prīmus first : " Aut either vīncam I will conquer aut or moriar I will die temptandō trying !"

24.26 Magister teacher : " Hoc this aut either optimum best aut or pessimum worst cōnsilium plan est is ."

24.27 Discipulus student secundus second : " Interrogā ask mē me aut either dē about philosophiā philosophy aut or dē about mathēmaticā mathematics !"

24.28 Magister teacher : " Aut either Platōnem Plato aut or Aristotelem Aristotle legistī have you read ?"

24.29 Discipulus student : " Neutrōs neither sed but aut either hodiē today aut or crās tomorrow incipiam I will begin ."

24.30 Magister teacher : " Aut either nunc now incipe begin aut or numquam never sapiēns wise eris you will be !"

Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)

24.16 Magister: "Quid māius est, aut sapientia aut dīvitiāe?" Teacher: "What is greater, wisdom or riches?"

24.17 Discipulus prīmus: "Aut errō aut sapientia melior est." First student: "Either I'm mistaken or wisdom is better."

24.18 Magister: "Cūr aut hesitās aut dubitās?" Teacher: "Why do you either hesitate or doubt?"

24.19 Discipulus secundus: "Aut nōn intellegō aut timidus sum." Second student: "Either I don't understand or I'm afraid."

24.20 Magister: "Nōlī aut timēre aut pudōrem sentīre!" Teacher: "Don't either fear or feel ashamed!"

24.21 Discipulus tertius: "Putō nōs aut dīscere aut perīre dēbēre." Third student: "I think we must either learn or perish."

24.22 Magister: "Vērum dīcis, sed aut citō aut tardē dīscitis?" Teacher: "You speak truly, but do you learn either quickly or slowly?"

24.23 Omnēs discipulī: "Aut doce nōs aut domum mittē!" All students: "Either teach us or send us home!"

24.24 Magister: "Manēbitis et aut sapientēs aut stultī discēdētis." Teacher: "You'll stay and leave either wise or foolish."

24.25 Discipulus prīmus: "Aut vīncam aut moriar temptandō!" First student: "I'll either succeed or die trying!"

24.26 Magister: "Hoc aut optimum aut pessimum cōnsilium est." Teacher: "This is either the best or worst plan."

24.27 Discipulus secundus: "Interrogā mē aut dē philosophiā aut dē mathēmaticā!" Second student: "Question me either about philosophy or about mathematics!"

24.28 Magister: "Aut Platōnem aut Aristotelem legistī?" Teacher: "Have you read either Plato or Aristotle?"

24.29 Discipulus: "Neutrōs, sed aut hodiē aut crās incipiam." Student: "Neither, but I'll begin either today or tomorrow."

24.30 Magister: "Aut nunc incipe aut numquam sapiēns eris!" Teacher: "Either begin now or you'll never be wise!"

Part C (Latin Text Only)

24.16 Magister: "Quid māius est, aut sapientia aut dīvitiāe?"

24.17 Discipulus prīmus: "Aut errō aut sapientia melior est."

24.18 Magister: "Cūr aut hesitās aut dubitās?"

24.19 Discipulus secundus: "Aut nōn intellegō aut timidus sum."

24.20 Magister: "Nōlī aut timēre aut pudōrem sentīre!"

24.21 Discipulus tertius: "Putō nōs aut dīscere aut perīre dēbēre."

24.22 Magister: "Vērum dīcis, sed aut citō aut tardē dīscitis?"

24.23 Omnēs discipulī: "Aut doce nōs aut domum mittē!"

24.24 Magister: "Manēbitis et aut sapientēs aut stultī discēdētis."

24.25 Discipulus prīmus: "Aut vīncam aut moriar temptandō!"

24.26 Magister: "Hoc aut optimum aut pessimum cōnsilium est."

24.27 Discipulus secundus: "Interrogā mē aut dē philosophiā aut dē mathēmaticā!"

24.28 Magister: "Aut Platōnem aut Aristotelem legistī?"

24.29 Discipulus: "Neutrōs, sed aut hodiē aut crās incipiam."

24.30 Magister: "Aut nunc incipe aut numquam sapiēns eris!"

Part D (Grammar Explanation)

This scholastic dialogue showcases advanced uses of aut in academic discourse:

1. Philosophical Alternatives: The dialogue opens with abstract choices (sapientia aut dīvitiāe), typical of scholastic debates where students must choose between competing values.

2. Self-Reflective Statements: Students use aut...aut to express uncertainty about their own mental states (Aut errō aut sapientia melior est), showing the conjunction's use in internal deliberation.

3. Imperatives with Alternatives: The teacher and students use aut with imperatives to create ultimatums (Aut doce nōs aut domum mittē!), a common pattern in academic settings.

4. Temporal Alternatives: The conjunction connects time expressions (aut hodiē aut crās), showing how Romans conceptualized scheduling choices.

5. Modal Expressions: Combined with verbs of obligation (dēbēre) and future tenses, aut expresses necessary choices about actions and outcomes.

6. Rhetorical Escalation: The dialogue builds from simple choices to dramatic declarations (Aut vīncam aut moriar temptandō!), demonstrating how aut can create rhetorical intensity.

7. Negative Responses: The use of neutrōs (neither) shows how to reject both alternatives presented with aut...aut.

8. Academic Subject Choices: References to specific philosophers and subjects (aut dē philosophiā aut dē mathēmaticā) reflect real scholastic practice where students specialized in particular areas.

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About this Course

This lesson is part of the Latinum Institute Latin Reading Course, a comprehensive autodidactic language learning program designed for English speakers who wish to acquire conversational Latin skills independently.

Course Philosophy

The Latinum Institute's method, developed by Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), emphasizes natural language acquisition through extensive reading of authentic and adapted texts. Since 2006, these materials have helped thousands of learners worldwide develop genuine Latin proficiency outside traditional classroom settings.

Lesson Structure

Each lesson follows a carefully designed progression:

• Introduction with clear definitions ensures learners understand the target concept

• Interleaved text (Part A) provides maximum support for beginners through word-by-word glossing

• Complete sentences (Part B) transition learners to natural Latin syntax

• Latin-only text (Part C) builds reading confidence

• Detailed grammar explanations (Part D) clarify usage for analytical learners

• Cultural context (Part E) connects language to Roman life and thought

• Authentic literary citations (Part F) expose learners to real Latin texts

• Genre sections provide extended practice in specific contexts

Benefits for Autodidacts

1. Self-contained lessons: No external resources required

2. Multiple learning styles: Visual, analytical, and contextual approaches combined

3. Progressive difficulty: Each lesson builds on previous knowledge

4. Authentic language: Natural Latin syntax, not textbook simplifications

5. Cultural immersion: Language learned within its historical context

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