Bellum endings

Masc. 2nd declension. Neuter

Understanding Latin Cases

In Latin, nouns are declined according to case, which indicates their function in the sentence. Each case has specific endings and meanings. Below is a concise overview of the different cases and their corresponding endings based on the example of the 2nd declension noun 'bellum':

• Nominative Case: Used for the subject of the sentence.

  • Singular: bellum

  • Plural: bella

• Vocative Case: Used for directly addressing someone or something.

  • Singular: bellum

  • Plural: bella

• Accusative Case: Used for the direct object of the verb.

  • Singular: bellum

  • Plural: bella

• Genitive Case: Indicates possession.

  • Singular: belli

  • Plural: bellorum

• Dative Case: Indicates the indirect object, often answered by "to whom" or "for whom".

  • Singular: bello

  • Plural: bellis

• Ablative Case: Used to express means or separation, often translated as "by," "with," or "from."

  • Singular: bello

  • Plural: bellis

These cases interact with each other to convey precise meanings and relationships between words in sentences.

The Latin noun "bellum" (meaning war) has specific forms based on grammatical case:

• Nominative: bellum (singular), bella (plural)

• Vocative: bellum (singular), bella (plural)

• Accusative: bellum (singular), bella (plural)

• Genitive: belli (singular), bellorum (plural)

• Dative: bello (singular), bellis (plural)

• Ablative: bello (singular), bellis (plural)

Grammatical Case Functions:

• Nominative: Indicates the subject of the sentence (e.g. bellum - the war).

• Vocative: Used for direct address (e.g. bellum - O war).

• Accusative: Marks the direct object (e.g. bellum - the war).

• Genitive: Identifies possession (e.g. belli - of the war).

• Dative: Indicates the indirect object (e.g. bello - to/for the war).

• Ablative: Expresses separation (e.g. bello - from the war).