Latin pronoun and determiner
ipse
ipse, ipsa, ipsum
ipse is a Latin pronoun and determiner. In the 5 analysed lines it was read in, it means “themselves” (2 times), “he himself” (once), “itself” (once) and “their own” (once).
In the texts
Each line as the reader shows it: every word in its case colour with its meaning underneath, and arcs from ipse to the words it goes with.
Tum arcam ipsam in mare coniecit.
Then he cast the ark itself into the sea.
ipsam: points out arcam.
Tiberii Gaique et Claudii ac Neronis res florentibus ipsis ob metum falsae, postquam occiderant recentibus odiis compositae sunt.
The histories of Tiberius, Gaius, Claudius and Nero were falsified out of fear while they were in power, and after they had fallen were written up under the influence of fresh hatred.
ipsis: subject of florentibus.
Tum, cum uxores ipse et populus suus non haberent, invitavit ad spectaculum ludorum vicinas urbi Romae nationes atque earum virgines rapuit.
Then, since he himself and his people had no wives, he invited to a spectacle of games the nations neighboring the city of Rome, and he seized their maidens.
ipse: subject of haberent.
Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres, quarum unam incolunt Belgae, aliam Aquitani, tertiam qui ipsorum lingua Celtae, nostra Galli appellantur.
Gaul as a whole is divided into three parts, one of which the Belgians inhabit, the Aquitanians another, and those who are called Celts in their own language, Gauls in ours, inhabit the third.
ipsorum: points out lingua.
…Germanis contendunt, cum aut suis finibus eos prohibent aut ipsi in eorum finibus bellum gerunt
For this reason, the Helvetii also surpass the rest of the Gauls in courage, because they contend with the Germans in almost daily battles, since they either keep them from their own territory or themselves wage war in their territory.
ipsi: subject of gerunt.
Forms
Every form of the word in these texts, with what it is.
| Form | Grammar | Read |
|---|---|---|
| ipsam | Accusative · Singular · Feminine | 1 |
| ipse | Nominative · Singular · Masculine | 1 |
| ipsi | Nominative · Plural · Masculine | 1 |
| ipsis | Ablative · Plural · Masculine | 1 |
| ipsorum | Genitive · Plural · Masculine | 1 |
Words it goes with
Joined to ipse by an arc in these lines, most often first.
Grammar
- About the accusativeThe Latin accusative marks the direct object and follows prepositions of motion such as ad and in. Uses and endings, with real lines from Genesis and Eutropius.
- About the nominativeThe Latin nominative names the subject of a verb, and whatever renames the subject after sum. How to spot it, with real lines from Genesis and Eutropius.
- About the ablativeThe Latin ablative says by what, with what, from where and in what respect. Its main uses and endings, with real lines from Caesar, Genesis and Eutropius.
- About the genitiveThe Latin genitive ties one noun to another, where English says “of” or adds ’s. Its uses and endings, with real lines from the story of Perseus and Genesis.
- About agreementHow Latin adjectives, pronouns and participles agree with their nouns in case, number and gender, and why that lets them stand apart. With real lines.
- About word orderWhy a Latin adjective can sit far from its noun: the endings carry the grammar, so writers order words for emphasis. Lines from Virgil, Cicero and Horace.