Latin particle and conjunction
nē
nē is a Latin particle and conjunction. In the 3 analysed lines it was read in, it means “lest” (2 times), “not” (once) and “that...not” (once).
In the texts
Each line as the reader shows it: every word in its case colour with its meaning underneath, and arcs from nē to the words it goes with.
Tu ne quaesieris, scire nefas, quem mihi, quem tibi finem di dederint, Leuconoe, nec Babylonios temptaris numeros.
You should not ask—it is forbidden to know—what end the gods have given to me, what end to you, Leuconoe, nor should you consult Babylonian calculations.
ne: tells how or when about quaesieris.
Id cum libenter accepissem atque ab eo petere coepissem ne dubitaret ducere, tum ille ‘Faciam,’ inquit, ‘si mihi fidem quam postulo dederis.’
When I had gladly accepted that and had begun to beg it from him that he should not hesitate to lead, then he said, “I will do it, if you give me the trust that I ask for.”
ne: introduces the clause of dubitaret.
…deinde centum, dein, cum milia multa fecerimus, conturbabimus illa, ne sciamus, aut ne quis malus invidere possit, cum tantum…
Give me a thousand kisses, then a hundred, then another thousand, then a second hundred, then continually another thousand, then a hundred, then, when we have made many thousands, we will mix them up, lest we know, or lest any evil person be able to envy, when he knows there are so many kisses.
ne: introduces the clause of sciamus.
Forms
Every form of the word in these texts, with what it is.
| Form | Grammar | Read |
|---|---|---|
| ne | Conjunction | 2 |
| ne | Particle | 2 |
Words it goes with
Joined to nē by an arc in these lines, most often first.