Case Definitions Flashcards
List all cases (6)
1.) Nominative (Nom.)
2.) Genitive (Gen.)
3.) Dative (Dat.)
4.) Accusative (Acc.)
5.) Ablative (Abl.)
6.) Vocative (Voc.)
Nominative Case
(Nom.)
Indicates the subject of a finite verb.
Ending: -a
Example: porta mágna = the (a) large gate
Genitive Case
(Gen.)
Gives an idea of ownership and possession (“of who? of what? whose?”). Generally translated with “of” or ”-‘s”.
Ending: -ae
Example(s):
- portae mágnae = of the large gate
- rosa puellae = “rose of the girl” or “girl’s rose”
Dative Case
(Dat.)
Marks the indirect object of the action of the verb (to who/what? for who/what?). “to” or “for” are commonly used.
Ending: -ae
Example:
- portae mágnae = to/for the large gate
Accusative Case
(Acc.)
Indicates the direct object (person or thing) of the action of the verb (what? who?)
Ending: -am
Example(s):
- portam mágnam = the large gate
- Poeta amat puellam = the poet loves the girl
Ablative Case
(Abl.)
Used to modify the verb by various ideas like “means” (by what?), “manner” (how?), and accompaniment (with who?). Sometimes used by the prepositions: by, with, from
Ending: -ā
Example:
- portā mágnā = by/with/from… the large gate
Vocative Case
(Voc.)
Used to address a person or thing directly. Commonly uses “O”
Ending: -a
Example:
- porta mánga = O large gate
- Ō puella, servā mē = O (oh) girl, save me!