Help Please

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k.ideas
Textkit Neophyte
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2008 1:10 am

Help Please

Post by k.ideas »

Hi there, I would really appreciate some help on the following translations
Im new to Latin and tend to mix up endings and whatnot...

1) Quid vir avarus de pecunia non cogitat

does that translate to: What man thinks he is not greedy concerning money?


2) The reputation of the men and women is strong, my friend

fama virorum et feminarum , meus amicus, valet .. correct?

I dont know when to use mea or mi or meus for that matter. Im thinking meus because it has the nomitive singular ending like friend amicus but ive seen other textbook translations that use mi.

Thanks for any help

Kasper
Textkit Zealot
Posts: 799
Joined: Wed Nov 05, 2003 3:01 am
Location: Melbourne

Post by Kasper »

Hi K,

the first sentence means "what does a greedy man not think about money?"

Quid is neuter, where as vir is masculine, and so the two do not agree.

re 'my friend', you need the vocative. For amicus this is amice. for meus this is 'mi' (as discussed in some detail in a recent threat).

Cheers,
K

k.ideas
Textkit Neophyte
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2008 1:10 am

Post by k.ideas »

Thanks so much.
And just to clarify do you always use "mi amice" when saying "my friend"

Kasper
Textkit Zealot
Posts: 799
Joined: Wed Nov 05, 2003 3:01 am
Location: Melbourne

Post by Kasper »

You're most welcome. Were it not for the assistance i have received from others on textkit, i would not understand the little latin that i do.

As for your question, it depends on whether your friend is male, female or neuter(ed).

M: mi amice
F: mea amica
N: meum amicum

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