Experience III, Lesson 7: Vocative Case
Learning a new noun function in Latin
The Vocative Case is used in addressing someone (direct address)
- to call on someone - from "voco, vocare" = "to call"
Vocatives form practically identical to the subject (nominative case) with 3 exceptions
- Masculine Singular Nouns and Adjectives of Block I (-us, -i)
- The vocative singular is '-e' [short e]
- Proper names ending in '-ius', e.g. Claudius, Innocentius
- The vocative singular is '-i' [drop the 'us'], e.g. Claudi, Innocenti
- 3 exceptions: "filius" -> "fili", "meus" -> "mi", "deus" -> "deus"
All others, and all plurals, form the vocative by using the nominative.
Examples:
- to address Sanctus Antonius = Sancte Antoni, ora pro nobis
- to address Gaius Julius Caesar = Gai Juli Caesar
- O mi fili care = O my dear son
Now go on to Lesson 8
Then complete Homework 7
Third Experience Latin - Fr. Reginald Foster
Answers to Third ExperienceReturn to Index