Lesson 45: Conversational Latin

ferō, ferre, tulī, lātum bear, carry, endureVerb: Irregular

Introductio

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The verb ferō is one of the most important and frequently used irregular verbs in Latin. It means "to bear," "to carry," or "to endure," and appears in countless idiomatic expressions and conversational contexts. As an irregular verb, ferō has unique forms that must be memorized, particularly its perfect stem (tul-) and supine stem (lāt-), which differ completely from the present stem (fer-).

FAQ Schema

Q: What does ferō mean in Latin?
A: Ferō is an irregular Latin verb meaning "to bear," "to carry," or "to endure." It can refer to physically carrying objects, bearing news or messages, enduring hardships, or producing results. The verb has many idiomatic uses in conversational Latin.

How This Word Will Be Used

In this lesson, ferō appears in various conversational contexts including:

• Carrying physical objects in daily life

• Bearing news and messages

• Enduring difficulties or emotions

• Producing or yielding results

• Common idiomatic expressions with ferō

Educational Schema

Subject: Latin Language Learning
Level: Intermediate Conversational Latin
Topic: Irregular Verb ferō
Format: Self-study lesson with interleaved translation, grammar explanation, and cultural context
Learning Objective: Master the conjugation and conversational usage of the irregular verb ferō

Key Takeaways

• Ferō is highly irregular with three distinct stems: fer-, tul-, lāt-

• The verb appears frequently in conversational contexts

• Many Latin idioms use ferō metaphorically

• The compound verbs of ferō (like affero, refero, confero) are equally important

• Understanding ferō is essential for reading authentic Latin texts

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Part A (Interleaved English and Latin Text)

45.1 Quid what hodiē today ad to forum market fers do you carry?

45.2 Amphoram jar vīnī of wine optimī excellent ferō I carry.

45.3 Potesne are you able haec these onera burdens mēcum with me ferre to carry?

45.4 Libenter gladly auxilium help tibi to you ferō I bear.

45.5 Magister teacher nōn not fert bears puerōrum of boys clāmōrēs shouts.

45.6 Novās new rēs things semper always nūntius messenger fert carries.

45.7 Quōmodo how dolōrem pain tuum your tam so fortiter bravely fers do you bear?

45.8 Patientiam patience ā from philosophiā philosophy ferō I derive.

45.9 Heri yesterday epistulam letter ad to amīcum friend tulī I carried.

45.10 Quis who haec these dōna gifts ad to rēgem king tulit carried?

45.11 Servī slaves gravia heavy saxa stones ad to aedificium building tulērunt carried.

45.12 Fortūna fortune multa many bona good things nōbīs to us tulit has brought.

45.13 Crās tomorrow pecūniam money ad to mēnsārium banker feram I will carry.

45.14 Quando when responsum answer mihi to me ferēs will you bring?

45.15 Omnēs all cīvēs citizens arma weapons prō for patriā country ferent will bear.

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Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)

45.1 Quid hodiē ad forum fers? What are you carrying to the market today?

45.2 Amphoram vīnī optimī ferō. I'm carrying a jar of excellent wine.

45.3 Potesne haec onera mēcum ferre? Can you carry these burdens with me?

45.4 Libenter auxilium tibi ferō. I gladly offer you help.

45.5 Magister nōn fert puerōrum clāmōrēs. The teacher doesn't tolerate the boys' shouting.

45.6 Novās rēs semper nūntius fert. The messenger always brings news.

45.7 Quōmodo dolōrem tuum tam fortiter fers? How do you bear your pain so bravely?

45.8 Patientiam ā philosophiā ferō. I derive patience from philosophy.

45.9 Heri epistulam ad amīcum tulī. Yesterday I delivered a letter to my friend.

45.10 Quis haec dōna ad rēgem tulit? Who brought these gifts to the king?

45.11 Servī gravia saxa ad aedificium tulērunt. The slaves carried heavy stones to the building.

45.12 Fortūna multa bona nōbīs tulit. Fortune has brought us many good things.

45.13 Crās pecūniam ad mēnsārium feram. Tomorrow I'll take the money to the banker.

45.14 Quando responsum mihi ferēs? When will you bring me an answer?

45.15 Omnēs cīvēs arma prō patriā ferent. All citizens will bear arms for their country.

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Part C (Latin Text Only)

45.1 Quid hodiē ad forum fers?

45.2 Amphoram vīnī optimī ferō.

45.3 Potesne haec onera mēcum ferre?

45.4 Libenter auxilium tibi ferō.

45.5 Magister nōn fert puerōrum clāmōrēs.

45.6 Novās rēs semper nūntius fert.

45.7 Quōmodo dolōrem tuum tam fortiter fers?

45.8 Patientiam ā philosophiā ferō.

45.9 Heri epistulam ad amīcum tulī.

45.10 Quis haec dōna ad rēgem tulit?

45.11 Servī gravia saxa ad aedificium tulērunt.

45.12 Fortūna multa bona nōbīs tulit.

45.13 Crās pecūniam ad mēnsārium feram.

45.14 Quando responsum mihi ferēs?

45.15 Omnēs cīvēs arma prō patriā ferent.

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Part D (Grammar Explanation)

Grammar Rules for ferō, ferre, tulī, lātum

Ferō is one of the most irregular verbs in Latin. Unlike regular third conjugation verbs, it has shortened forms in the present system and completely different stems for the perfect and supine.

Principal Parts

• ferō - I carry, bear (present indicative)

• ferre - to carry, bear (present infinitive)

• tulī - I carried, bore (perfect indicative)

• lātum - carried, borne (supine/past participle)

Present System Forms

Present Indicative Active

• ferō - I carry

• fers - you carry

• fert - he/she/it carries

• ferimus - we carry

• fertis - you (pl.) carry

• ferunt - they carry

Present Indicative Passive

• feror - I am carried

• ferris/ferre - you are carried

• fertur - he/she/it is carried

• ferimur - we are carried

• feriminī - you (pl.) are carried

• feruntur - they are carried

Imperfect Indicative Active

• ferēbam - I was carrying

• ferēbās - you were carrying

• ferēbat - he/she/it was carrying

• ferēbāmus - we were carrying

• ferēbātis - you (pl.) were carrying

• ferēbant - they were carrying

Future Indicative Active

• feram - I will carry

• ferēs - you will carry

• feret - he/she/it will carry

• ferēmus - we will carry

• ferētis - you (pl.) will carry

• ferent - they will carry

Perfect System Forms

The perfect system uses the stem tul- (from tollō):

Perfect Indicative Active

• tulī - I carried/have carried

• tulistī - you carried/have carried

• tulit - he/she/it carried/has carried

• tulimus - we carried/have carried

• tulistis - you (pl.) carried/have carried

• tulērunt - they carried/have carried

Common Mistakes

1. Confusing fer- forms with regular verbs: Students often try to add regular endings like -it instead of -t for the third person singular (incorrect: *ferit, correct: fert)

2. Forgetting the stem change in perfect: The perfect stem tul- is completely different from fer-. Students sometimes incorrectly form *ferī instead of tulī

3. Mixing up passive forms: The second person singular passive can be either ferris or ferre, which confuses students who expect only one form

4. Compound verb confusion: Compounds like affero, refero, and confero follow the same pattern but students often regularize them incorrectly

5. Imperative forms: The imperative singular is fer (not *fere), and the plural is ferte

Comparison with English

Unlike English "to bear/carry," which forms its past tense regularly (carried), Latin ferō has suppletive forms - it borrows from different roots. This is similar to English "go/went" where the past tense comes from a different word entirely.

Step-by-Step Guide for Conjugating ferō

1. Identify the tense needed: Present system (fer-), Perfect system (tul-), or Passive/Future participles (lāt-)

2. For present system: Start with fer- and add endings, but remember these shortcuts:

   • 2nd person singular: fers (not *feris)

   • 3rd person singular: fert (not *ferit)

   • Infinitive: ferre (not *ferere)

3. For perfect system: Use tul- and add regular perfect endings (-ī, -istī, -it, etc.)

4. For participles and supine: Use lāt- stem (lātus, -a, -um for past participle)

Grammatical Summary

Active Voice Conjugation Pattern

• Present: fer + shortened endings

• Imperfect: fer + ēbam, ēbās, etc.

• Future: fer + am, ēs, et, etc.

• Perfect: tul + ī, istī, it, etc.

• Pluperfect: tul + eram, erās, etc.

• Future Perfect: tul + erō, eris, etc.

Key Compounds (all follow the same pattern)

• affero, afferre, attulī, allātum - bring to

• aufero, auferre, abstulī, ablātum - carry away

• confero, conferre, contulī, collātum - bring together

• dēfero, dēferre, dētulī, dēlātum - carry down

• refero, referre, rettulī, relātum - bring back

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Part E (Cultural Context)

For English speakers learning conversational Latin, understanding ferō requires appreciating its central role in Roman daily life and thought. The Romans used ferō and its compounds constantly in both literal and metaphorical senses.

Physical Labor and Transportation

In Roman society, the verb ferō reflected the constant movement of goods and materials. Without modern transportation, everything had to be literally "carried" - from water (aquam ferre) to building materials (saxa ferre). Slaves and laborers were often identified by what they carried: aquāriī (water carriers), saccāriī (sack carriers), and lecticāriī (litter bearers).

Social and Legal Contexts

Romans used ferō in many social expressions:

• sententiam ferre - to express an opinion (literally "carry a judgment")

• suffragium ferre - to cast a vote

• lēgem ferre - to propose a law

• condiciōnem ferre - to propose terms

Emotional and Philosophical Usage

The Stoic philosophers particularly emphasized ferō in the sense of "enduring" or "bearing" hardships. The phrase ferre et patī (to bear and suffer) became a philosophical maxim. Marcus Aurelius and Seneca frequently use ferō when discussing how to bear fortune's changes: fortūnam ferre (to bear one's fortune).

Communication and News

Before modern communication, news was literally "carried" (ferre nūntium). The phrase fāma fert (rumor carries/reports say) was the Roman equivalent of "they say" or "word has it." Official messages were carried by tabellāriī (letter carriers).

Religious Significance

In religious contexts, ferō described bringing offerings to the gods (dōna ferre) or carrying sacred objects in processions. The phrase sacra ferre meant to carry holy things, a serious religious duty.

Modern Relevance

Many English words derive from ferō and its compounds:

• fertile (from fertilis - bearing/producing much)

• transfer (from transferre)

• confer (from conferre)

• defer (from dēferre)

• reference (from referre)

Understanding ferō helps modern Latin students grasp how Romans conceptualized movement, communication, and endurance - all fundamental to their worldview.

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Part F (Literary Citation)

From the Colloquia Scholica (Medieval School Dialogues), 12th century

"Magister: Cūr tam sērō ad scholam venīs? Discipulus: Magister, librōs multōs et gravēs ferre dēbuī. Magister: Quis tē iussit tot librōs ferre? Discipulus: Māter mea omnēs librōs quōs domī habēmus ferre mē iussit. Magister: Nōnne servus vōbīs est quī onera ferre possit? Discipulus: Est quidem, sed hodiē aeger est et lectum ferre nōn potest."

Part F-A (Interleaved Text)

Magister Teacher: Cūr why tam so sērō late ad to scholam school venīs do you come?

Discipulus Student: Magister teacher, librōs books multōs many et and gravēs heavy ferre to carry dēbuī I had to.

Magister Teacher: Quis who tē you iussit ordered tot so many librōs books ferre to carry?

Discipulus Student: Māter mother mea my omnēs all librōs books quōs which domī at home habēmus we have ferre to carry mē me iussit ordered.

Magister Teacher: Nōnne surely servus slave vōbīs to you est is quī who onera burdens ferre to carry possit might be able?

Discipulus Student: Est there is quidem indeed, sed but hodiē today aeger sick est he is et and lectum bed ferre to bear nōn not potest he is able.

Part F-B (Complete Translation)

Magister: Cūr tam sērō ad scholam venīs? Discipulus: Magister, librōs multōs et gravēs ferre dēbuī. Magister: Quis tē iussit tot librōs ferre? Discipulus: Māter mea omnēs librōs quōs domī habēmus ferre mē iussit. Magister: Nōnne servus vōbīs est quī onera ferre possit? Discipulus: Est quidem, sed hodiē aeger est et lectum ferre nōn potest.

Teacher: Why do you come to school so late? Student: Teacher, I had to carry many heavy books. Teacher: Who ordered you to carry so many books? Student: My mother ordered me to carry all the books we have at home. Teacher: Don't you have a slave who could carry burdens? Student: We do indeed, but today he is sick and cannot bear to leave his bed.

Part F-C (Literary Analysis)

This dialogue from the medieval Colloquia Scholica demonstrates the conversational use of ferō in an educational context. The verb appears four times in different forms, showing its versatility:

1. ferre dēbuī - perfect tense with infinitive showing obligation

2. tot librōs ferre - infinitive with accusative object after iussit

3. onera ferre possit - potential subjunctive showing ability

4. lectum ferre - idiomatic use meaning "to leave one's bed"

The dialogue reflects daily student life and the physical burden of carrying books before modern backpacks. The wordplay in the final line uses ferō metaphorically - the sick slave cannot "bear" to leave his bed.

Part F-D (Grammatical Notes)

• ferre dēbuī: Perfect of dēbeō + infinitive expresses past obligation

• tē iussit... ferre: Accusative + infinitive construction after verb of commanding

• quī... possit: Relative clause with potential subjunctive

• lectum ferre: Idiomatic expression where ferre means "to endure leaving"

• Note the reported speech maintains direct discourse rather than using oratio obliqua

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Genre Section: Merchant Dialogue at the Forum

Part A (Interleaved Text)

45.16 Salvē hello, amīce friend! Quid what novī new ex from Asiā Asia fers do you bring?

45.17 Multa many et and mīrābilia wonderful things ferō I bring, mercātor merchant!

45.18 Potesne can you mihi to me sericum silk ostendere show quod which fers you carry?

45.19 Ecce behold! Optimum the best sericum silk quod which umquam ever tulī I have carried.

45.20 Quantum how much pecūniae money prō for decem ten ulnīs yards ferre to pay dēbeō must I?

45.21 Quīnque five aureōs gold pieces ferre to pay dēbēs you must, nec nor minus less.

45.22 Nimis too much est it is! Trēs three aureōs gold pieces feram I will pay.

45.23 Nōn not possum I can tam so parvum small pretium price ferre accept.

45.24 Sī if quattuor four aureōs gold pieces tuleris you will have paid, sericum the silk habēbis you will have.

45.25 Fiat let it be done! Sed but quis who hanc this mercem merchandise domum home meam my feret will carry?

45.26 Servus slave meus my fortis strong omnia all things quae which ēmistī you have bought feret will carry.

45.27 Grātiās thanks tibi to you ferō I give prō for benevolentiā kindness tuā your.

45.28 Quandō when iterum again mercēs goods novās new ex from Orientē East ferēs will you bring?

45.29 Post after duōs two mēnsēs months plūra more things pretiōsa precious feram I will bring.

45.30 Valē farewell! Fortūna fortune tibi to you multa many bona good things ferat may bring!

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Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)

45.16 Salvē, amīce! Quid novī ex Asiā fers? Hello, friend! What news do you bring from Asia?

45.17 Multa et mīrābilia ferō, mercātor! I bring many wonderful things, merchant!

45.18 Potesne mihi sericum ostendere quod fers? Can you show me the silk that you're carrying?

45.19 Ecce! Optimum sericum quod umquam tulī. Look! The finest silk I've ever brought.

45.20 Quantum pecūniae prō decem ulnīs ferre dēbeō? How much money must I pay for ten yards?

45.21 Quīnque aureōs ferre dēbēs, nec minus. You must pay five gold pieces, no less.

45.22 Nimis est! Trēs aureōs feram. That's too much! I'll pay three gold pieces.

45.23 Nōn possum tam parvum pretium ferre. I cannot accept such a small price.

45.24 Sī quattuor aureōs tuleris, sericum habēbis. If you pay four gold pieces, you'll have the silk.

45.25 Fiat! Sed quis hanc mercem domum meam feret? So be it! But who will carry this merchandise to my house?

45.26 Servus meus fortis omnia quae ēmistī feret. My strong slave will carry everything you've bought.

45.27 Grātiās tibi ferō prō benevolentiā tuā. I thank you for your kindness.

45.28 Quandō iterum mercēs novās ex Orientē ferēs? When will you bring new goods from the East again?

45.29 Post duōs mēnsēs plūra pretiōsa feram. After two months I'll bring more precious things.

45.30 Valē! Fortūna tibi multa bona ferat! Farewell! May fortune bring you many good things!

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Part C (Latin Text Only)

45.16 Salvē, amīce! Quid novī ex Asiā fers?

45.17 Multa et mīrābilia ferō, mercātor!

45.18 Potesne mihi sericum ostendere quod fers?

45.19 Ecce! Optimum sericum quod umquam tulī.

45.20 Quantum pecūniae prō decem ulnīs ferre dēbeō?

45.21 Quīnque aureōs ferre dēbēs, nec minus.

45.22 Nimis est! Trēs aureōs feram.

45.23 Nōn possum tam parvum pretium ferre.

45.24 Sī quattuor aureōs tuleris, sericum habēbis.

45.25 Fiat! Sed quis hanc mercem domum meam feret?

45.26 Servus meus fortis omnia quae ēmistī feret.

45.27 Grātiās tibi ferō prō benevolentiā tuā.

45.28 Quandō iterum mercēs novās ex Orientē ferēs?

45.29 Post duōs mēnsēs plūra pretiōsa feram.

45.30 Valē! Fortūna tibi multa bona ferat!

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Part D (Grammar Analysis of the Merchant Dialogue)

This merchant dialogue showcases multiple uses of ferō in commercial contexts:

Literal vs. Metaphorical Uses

1. Literal carrying of goods:

   • "Quid novī ex Asiā fers?" (What new things do you bring from Asia?)

   • "sericum quod fers" (silk which you carry)

   • "quis hanc mercem domum meam feret?" (who will carry this merchandise to my house?)

2. Metaphorical/idiomatic uses:

   • "Quantum pecūniae... ferre dēbeō?" (How much money must I pay/bear?)

   • "tam parvum pretium ferre" (to accept such a small price)

   • "Grātiās tibi ferō" (I give you thanks)

Temporal Forms in Context

Present tense for current actions:

• fers (you bring/carry) - line 45.16

• ferō (I bring) - line 45.17

Perfect tense for completed actions:

• tulī (I have brought) - line 45.19

• ēmistī (you have bought) - line 45.26

Future tense for promises and predictions:

• feram (I will pay/bring) - lines 45.22, 45.29

• feret (he/she will carry) - lines 45.25, 45.26

• ferēs (you will bring) - line 45.28

Future perfect for conditional:

• tuleris (you will have paid) - line 45.24

Present subjunctive for wishes:

• ferat (may bring) - line 45.30

Commercial Vocabulary with ferō

The dialogue demonstrates how ferō functions in marketplace Latin:

• ferre pecūniam = to pay money (lit. "to bear money")

• pretium ferre = to accept a price

• mercēs ferre = to transport goods

• grātiās ferre = to give thanks

Syntactical Patterns

1. Direct questions: Often begin with interrogative + ferō form

2. Relative clauses: "quod fers," "quae ēmistī" modify the goods

3. Conditional: "Sī... tuleris... habēbis" (if you pay... you'll have)

4. Optative subjunctive: Final blessing uses subjunctive for wish

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About This Course

This lesson is part of the Latinum Institute Latin Reading Course, created by Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), who has been developing online language learning materials since 2006.

The course uses the innovative "construed text" method, where Latin text is broken down into its smallest meaningful units with interleaved English translations. This approach, documented at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk, allows autodidacts to:

• See direct word-to-word correspondences between Latin and English

• Build vocabulary systematically through repeated exposure

• Understand Latin syntax through gradual complexity increase

• Learn authentic Latin through real texts rather than artificial examples

Each lesson follows a consistent structure:

1. Part A: Granular interleaved translation for beginners

2. Part B: Complete sentences with natural translations

3. Part C: Pure Latin text for reading practice

4. Part D: Detailed grammar explanations for English speakers

5. Part E: Cultural context to understand Roman usage

6. Part F: Authentic literary texts with analysis

7. Genre Section: Extended dialogues or narratives for immersion

The method emphasizes:

• Natural Latin word order rather than formulaic patterns

• Conversational usage alongside classical constructions

• Cultural understanding integrated with language learning

• Progressive difficulty suitable for self-study

Student reviews and testimonials can be found at Trustpilot.

For more information about the complete course and additional resources, visit:

• Main website: latinum.org.uk

• Course methodology: latinum.substack.com/method

• Reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk

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