Lesson 27 Conversational Latin

suus -a -um his own, her own, its own

Introduction

The possessive adjective suus -a -um is one of the most important words in Latin for expressing ownership or belonging when the subject of the sentence is the owner. Unlike English, which uses different words for "his," "her," and "its," Latin uses suus for all three, making it a reflexive possessive adjective that always refers back to the subject of the sentence.

Definition

suus -a -um is a first and second declension adjective that means "his own," "her own," "its own," or "their own." It is reflexive, meaning it always refers to the subject of its own clause, distinguishing it from eius (his/her/its - of someone else) and eōrum/eārum (their - of others).

FAQ Schema

Question: What does suus mean in Latin?
Answer: Suus -a -um is a reflexive possessive adjective meaning "his own," "her own," "its own," or "their own." It always refers back to the subject of the sentence and agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies, not with the possessor.

How This Word Will Be Used

In this lesson, suus will appear in various conversational contexts, showing how Romans used this reflexive possessive in daily speech. You'll see it modifying different nouns in various cases, always referring back to the subject of the sentence. The examples will demonstrate common situations where ownership or personal relationships are discussed.

Educational Schema

Subject: Language Learning
Level: Beginner to Intermediate Latin
Topic: Reflexive Possessive Adjective (suus -a -um)
Language: Latin for English Speakers
Format: Structured Reading Lesson with Interlinear Translation

Key Takeaways

1. Suus is reflexive - it always refers to the subject of its own clause

2. It agrees with the noun it modifies (not the possessor) in gender, number, and case

3. Unlike English, Latin uses the same word for "his own," "her own," and "its own"

4. In conversation, suus helps clarify ownership and personal relationships

5. It contrasts with eius/eōrum/eārum which refer to someone other than the subject

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Part A (Interleaved English and Latin Text)

27.1 Mārcus Marcus suam his own domum house amat loves

27.2 Puella girl cum with suā her own mātre mother loquitur speaks

27.3 Suōs their own līberōs children parentēs parents vocant call

27.4 Canis dog in in suō its own cubīlī bed dormit sleeps

27.5 Dīcitne does she say fēmina woman suum her own nōmen name

27.6 Puer boy suīs with his own amīcīs friends lūdit plays

27.7 Mīlitēs soldiers sua their own arma weapons capiunt take

27.8 Cūr why tuam your own sorōrem sister nōn not audīs do you hear

27.9 Agricola farmer suōs his own bovēs oxen in into agrōs fields dūcit leads

27.10 Suumne his own patrem father fīlius son exspectat awaits

27.11 Discipulī students suōs their own librōs books legunt read

27.12 Rēgīna queen suam her own corōnam crown gerit wears

27.13 Suā with her own vōce voice cantat sings puella girl

27.14 Mercātor merchant sua his own bona goods vēndit sells

27.15 Nautae sailors ad to suam their own nāvem ship redeunt return

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Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)

27.1 Mārcus suam domum amat. Marcus loves his own house.

27.2 Puella cum suā mātre loquitur. The girl speaks with her own mother.

27.3 Suōs līberōs parentēs vocant. The parents call their own children.

27.4 Canis in suō cubīlī dormit. The dog sleeps in its own bed.

27.5 Dīcitne fēmina suum nōmen? Does the woman say her own name?

27.6 Puer suīs amīcīs lūdit. The boy plays with his own friends.

27.7 Mīlitēs sua arma capiunt. The soldiers take their own weapons.

27.8 Cūr tuam sorōrem nōn audīs? Why don't you hear your own sister?

27.9 Agricola suōs bovēs in agrōs dūcit. The farmer leads his own oxen into the fields.

27.10 Suumne patrem fīlius exspectat? Does the son await his own father?

27.11 Discipulī suōs librōs legunt. The students read their own books.

27.12 Rēgīna suam corōnam gerit. The queen wears her own crown.

27.13 Suā vōce cantat puella. The girl sings with her own voice.

27.14 Mercātor sua bona vēndit. The merchant sells his own goods.

27.15 Nautae ad suam nāvem redeunt. The sailors return to their own ship.

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Part C (Latin Text Only)

27.1 Mārcus suam domum amat.

27.2 Puella cum suā mātre loquitur.

27.3 Suōs līberōs parentēs vocant.

27.4 Canis in suō cubīlī dormit.

27.5 Dīcitne fēmina suum nōmen?

27.6 Puer suīs amīcīs lūdit.

27.7 Mīlitēs sua arma capiunt.

27.8 Cūr tuam sorōrem nōn audīs?

27.9 Agricola suōs bovēs in agrōs dūcit.

27.10 Suumne patrem fīlius exspectat?

27.11 Discipulī suōs librōs legunt.

27.12 Rēgīna suam corōnam gerit.

27.13 Suā vōce cantat puella.

27.14 Mercātor sua bona vēndit.

27.15 Nautae ad suam nāvem redeunt.

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Part D (Grammar Explanation)

Grammar Rules for suus -a -um

The reflexive possessive adjective suus -a -um follows these essential rules:

1. Reflexive Nature: It ALWAYS refers back to the subject of its own clause. This is the most important rule to remember.

2. Agreement: Like all adjectives, suus agrees with the noun it modifies in:

   • Gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter)

   • Number (singular or plural)

   • Case (nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, ablative)

3. Declension Pattern: It follows the standard first and second declension pattern:

   • Masculine: suus, suī, suō, suum, suō

   • Feminine: sua, suae, suae, suam, suā

   • Neuter: suum, suī, suō, suum, suō

Common Mistakes

1. Using suus for non-subjects: English speakers often want to use suus for any "his/her/its," but in Latin, use eius when the possessor is NOT the subject.

   • WRONG: Mārcus Paulī suum librum videt (Marcus sees Paul's book)

   • RIGHT: Mārcus Paulī eius librum videt

2. Agreement confusion: Remember that suus agrees with what is owned, not the owner.

   • Puella suam mātem videt (The girl sees her mother) - suam is feminine accusative to match mātrem, not because the girl is female

3. Using suus in subordinate clauses incorrectly: In subordinate clauses, suus usually still refers to the subject of the main clause, not the subordinate clause.

Comparison with English

English distinguishes between "his," "her," and "its" based on the gender of the possessor. Latin doesn't care about the possessor's gender - suus can mean any of these as long as it refers to the subject.

• Mārcus suum librum legit = Marcus reads his (own) book

• Puella suum librum legit = The girl reads her (own) book

• Animal suum cibum edit = The animal eats its (own) food

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Identify the subject of the sentence

2. Check if the possession belongs to the subject - if yes, use suus

3. Find the gender, number, and case of the thing possessed

4. Make suus agree with those three characteristics

5. Place suus near the noun it modifies (usually before, but Latin is flexible)

Grammatical Summary

suus -a -um (Adjective, 1st/2nd Declension)

Singular:

• Nominative: suus, sua, suum

• Genitive: suī, suae, suī

• Dative: suō, suae, suō

• Accusative: suum, suam, suum

• Ablative: suō, suā, suō

Plural:

• Nominative: suī, suae, sua

• Genitive: suōrum, suārum, suōrum

• Dative: suīs, suīs, suīs

• Accusative: suōs, suās, sua

• Ablative: suīs, suīs, suīs

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Part E (Cultural Context)

For English speakers learning conversational Latin, understanding suus provides insight into Roman social relationships and values. The Romans placed great emphasis on personal property and family connections, which is reflected in their careful distinction between reflexive possession (suus) and non-reflexive possession (eius/eōrum/eārum).

In Roman society, the concept of "one's own" (suus) extended beyond mere ownership to encompass:

1. Family relationships: The phrase suī (one's own people) meant family members and household

2. Social identity: Romans often identified strongly with their own social group, using suus to express belonging

3. Legal ownership: Roman law was very precise about property rights, and suus appears frequently in legal texts

4. Personal honor: The phrase suā sponte (of one's own accord) showed individual agency and responsibility

In conversation, Romans would use suus to emphasize personal connection or responsibility. For instance, a Roman father discussing his children would say suōs līberōs to stress his paternal relationship and duties.

The reflexive nature of suus also reflects the Roman emphasis on clear social hierarchies and relationships. By always referring back to the subject, suus maintains clarity about who holds authority or responsibility in any given situation.

Modern Latin students should note that this reflexive possession is similar to Spanish "su/sus" when it means "his/her/its/their own," showing the lasting influence of Latin on Romance languages.

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Part F (Literary Citation)

From Erasmus, Colloquium "De Rebus ac Vocabulis" (On Things and Words):

Part F-A (Interleaved Text)

Quid what sibi for himself vult does he want hic this homō man quī who suōs his own librōs books numquam never legit reads sed but aliēnōs others' semper always requīrit seeks? Nōnne surely not melius better esset would it be suā his own ipsīus very own studia studies perficere to complete quam than aliōrum of others opera works īnspicere to examine?

Part F-B (Complete Translation)

Quid sibi vult hic homō quī suōs librōs numquam legit sed aliēnōs semper requīrit? Nōnne melius esset suā ipsīus studia perficere quam aliōrum opera īnspicere?

What does this man want for himself who never reads his own books but always seeks others'? Would it not be better to complete his very own studies than to examine the works of others?

Part F-C (Literary Analysis)

Erasmus uses this passage to critique scholars who constantly borrow others' books while neglecting their own libraries. The contrast between suōs librōs (his own books) and aliēnōs (others' books) emphasizes the irony. The addition of ipsīus (very own) with suā intensifies the reflexive possession, making the criticism sharper.

Part F-D (Grammatical Notes)

• suōs librōs: Masculine accusative plural, agreeing with librōs

• suā ipsīus studia: The intensive ipsīus reinforces the reflexive suā

• aliēnōs vs suōs: Direct contrast between others' property and one's own

• sibi: Dative reflexive pronoun, also referring to the subject

• The subjunctive esset in the rhetorical question expects the answer "yes"

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Genre Section: Domestic Comedy Dialogue

Part A (Interleaved Text)

27.16 Pater Father: Ubī where sunt are meae my caligae boots?

27.17 Māter Mother: Tuās your caligās boots nōn not vīdī I have seen, sed but fīlius son suās his own nōn not invenit finds.

27.18 Pater Father: Fīlius son meus my semper always meās my rēs things sūmit takes!

27.19 Fīlius Son: Ego I numquam never tuās your caligās boots tangō touch, pater father! Meae my own propriae own sunt are!

27.20 Māter Mother: Tacēte be quiet ambō both! Quisque each one suās his own rēs things quaerat should seek!

27.21 Fīlia Daughter: Māter mother, possum may I tuam your stolam dress hodiē today gerere wear?

27.22 Māter Mother: Cūr why nōn not tuam your own geris do you wear? Habēs you have pulchram beautiful!

27.23 Fīlia Daughter: Mea mine sordida dirty est is, sed but tua yours mundissima very clean!

27.24 Servus Slave intrat enters: Domine master, tuae your caligae boots in in hortō garden sunt are!

27.25 Pater Father: In in hortō garden? Quis who meās my caligās boots illūc there posuit placed?

27.26 Canis Dog per through iānuam door currit runs cum with caligā boot in in ōre mouth suō its.

27.27 Omnēs All: Ecce behold fūr thief! Canis dog noster our suōs his own lūdōs games amat loves!

27.28 Pater Father: Nunc now intellegō I understand! Canis dog meās my rēs things in into suum its own cubīle den fert carries!

27.29 Māter Mother rīdet laughs: Etiam even canis dog suās its own rēs things habēre to have vult wants!

27.30 Fīlius Son: Ergō therefore canis dog nōn not ego I tuās your caligās boots cēpit took, pater father!

Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)

27.16 Pater: Ubī sunt meae caligae? Father: Where are my boots?

27.17 Māter: Tuās caligās nōn vīdī, sed fīlius suās nōn invenit. Mother: I haven't seen your boots, but our son can't find his own.

27.18 Pater: Fīlius meus semper meās rēs sūmit! Father: My son always takes my things!

27.19 Fīlius: Ego numquam tuās caligās tangō, pater! Meae propriae sunt! Son: I never touch your boots, father! They're my own!

27.20 Māter: Tacēte ambō! Quisque suās rēs quaerat! Mother: Both of you be quiet! Let each one look for his own things!

27.21 Fīlia: Māter, possum tuam stolam hodiē gerere? Daughter: Mother, may I wear your dress today?

27.22 Māter: Cūr nōn tuam geris? Habēs pulchram! Mother: Why don't you wear your own? You have a beautiful one!

27.23 Fīlia: Mea sordida est, sed tua mundissima! Daughter: Mine is dirty, but yours is very clean!

27.24 Servus intrat: Domine, tuae caligae in hortō sunt! Slave enters: Master, your boots are in the garden!

27.25 Pater: In hortō? Quis meās caligās illūc posuit? Father: In the garden? Who put my boots there?

27.26 Canis per iānuam currit cum caligā in ōre suō. The dog runs through the door with a boot in its mouth.

27.27 Omnēs: Ecce fūr! Canis noster suōs lūdōs amat! All: Look, the thief! Our dog loves its own games!

27.28 Pater: Nunc intellegō! Canis meās rēs in suum cubīle fert! Father: Now I understand! The dog carries my things to its own den!

27.29 Māter rīdet: Etiam canis suās rēs habēre vult! Mother laughs: Even the dog wants to have its own things!

27.30 Fīlius: Ergō canis nōn ego tuās caligās cēpit, pater! Son: So the dog, not I, took your boots, father!

Part C (Latin Text Only)

27.16 Pater: Ubī sunt meae caligae?

27.17 Māter: Tuās caligās nōn vīdī, sed fīlius suās nōn invenit.

27.18 Pater: Fīlius meus semper meās rēs sūmit!

27.19 Fīlius: Ego numquam tuās caligās tangō, pater! Meae propriae sunt!

27.20 Māter: Tacēte ambō! Quisque suās rēs quaerat!

27.21 Fīlia: Māter, possum tuam stolam hodiē gerere?

27.22 Māter: Cūr nōn tuam geris? Habēs pulchram!

27.23 Fīlia: Mea sordida est, sed tua mundissima!

27.24 Servus intrat: Domine, tuae caligae in hortō sunt!

27.25 Pater: In hortō? Quis meās caligās illūc posuit?

27.26 Canis per iānuam currit cum caligā in ōre suō.

27.27 Omnēs: Ecce fūr! Canis noster suōs lūdōs amat!

27.28 Pater: Nunc intellegō! Canis meās rēs in suum cubīle fert!

27.29 Māter rīdet: Etiam canis suās rēs habēre vult!

27.30 Fīlius: Ergō canis nōn ego tuās caligās cēpit, pater!

Part D (Grammar Explanation for Domestic Comedy)

This domestic comedy dialogue brilliantly illustrates the distinction between reflexive and non-reflexive possession in conversational Latin:

Key Distinctions Demonstrated:

1. meus/tuus vs suus:

   • When the father asks "Ubī sunt meae caligae?" he uses meae because he's talking about his own boots

   • When the mother says "fīlius suās nōn invenit," she uses suās because the son (subject of the clause) can't find his own boots

2. Direct Address and Possession:

   • "tuās caligās" (your boots) - used when speaking TO someone about their things

   • "meās rēs" (my things) - used when speaking about one's own possessions

   • "suās rēs" (his/her/its own things) - used when the subject owns the things

3. The Comic Reveal:

   • The dog with "in ōre suō" (in its mouth) - suō because the dog (subject) has something in its own mouth

   • "in suum cubīle" (to its den) - suum because the dog takes things to its own den

Common Conversational Patterns:

1. Questions about ownership: "Ubī sunt meae...?" (Where are my...?)

2. Accusations: "semper meās rēs sūmit" (always takes my things)

3. Denials: "numquam tuās caligās tangō" (I never touch your boots)

4. Commands: "Quisque suās rēs quaerat" (Let each seek his own things)

Word Order for Emphasis:

• "Meae propriae sunt!" - The possessive comes first for emphasis ("They're MINE!")

• "tuās caligās cēpit" - Normal order when not emphasizing possession

This dialogue shows how Roman families might have discussed everyday problems, with the humor arising from the confusion between "mine," "yours," and "one's own" - resolved when they discover the real thief has four legs!

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