Latin pronoun and determiner
quis
quis, quid
quis is a Latin pronoun and determiner. In the 7 analysed lines it was read in, it means “what” (7 times), “whom” (2 times), “anyone” (once) and “which” (once).
In the texts
Each line as the reader shows it: every word in its case colour with its meaning underneath, and arcs from quis to the words it goes with.
Quem ad finem sese effrenata iactabit audacia?
To what limit will unbridled boldness cast itself?
Quem: points out finem.
“Qui possum, quaeso, facere, quod quereris, lupe?
Who can I do, please, what you complain about, wolf?
Qui: subject of possum.
Nubes —incertum procul intuentibus ex quo monte;
A cloud — it was uncertain to those looking from a distance from which mountain;
quo: points out monte.
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.
quem: points out finem.
Musa, mihi causas memora, quo numine laeso, quidve dolens, regina deum tot volvere casus insignem pietate virum, tot adire labores impulerit.
Muse, recall for me the reasons, by what divine will having been offended, or grieving at what, the queen of the gods compelled a man outstanding in piety to undergo so many misfortunes, to approach so many labors.
quidve: object of dolens.
…milia multa fecerimus, conturbabimus illa, ne sciamus, aut ne quis malus invidere possit, cum tantum sciat esse basiorum
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.
quis: subject of possit.
Quid proxima, quid superiore nocte egeris, ubi fueris, quos convocaveris, quid consili ceperis quem nostrum ignorare arbitraris?
Whom of us do you think is ignorant of what you did last night, what you did the night before, where you were, whom you called together, what counsel you took?
Quid: object of egeris.
Forms
Every form of the word in these texts, with what it is.
| Form | Grammar | Read |
|---|---|---|
| quem | Accusative · Singular · Masculine | 4 |
| quid | Accusative · Singular · Neuter | 3 |
| qui | Nominative · Singular | 1 |
| quidve | Accusative · Singular · Neuter | 1 |
| quis | Nominative · Singular · Masculine | 1 |
| quo | Ablative · Singular · Masculine | 1 |
| quos | Accusative · Plural · Masculine | 1 |
Words it goes with
Joined to quis 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 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.