noli te vexare

Latin Learning Latin
1

Any help, please?

Just a bit confused about this translation:
‘noli te vexare’,
from the full sentence:
‘ecce! tertia hora noctis redii. noli te vexare.’

Initially, I translated it to mean “you don’t [have] to worry”
then, I thought it may have been “don’t you worry OR don’t worry”
then I thought maybe it conveys something more like “I do not [want] to worry you”

now I’m unsure of all of them. Any super-quick, yet greatly appreciated, help out there?

Thanks!
Amber

2

Noli is imperative, literally, “don’t want”, but it’s used with infinitives in negative commands, i.e., prohibitions, as a negative infinitive. Thus, noli te vexare means “don’t disturb yourself,” i.e., “don’t get upset,” “don’t worry.”

3

Thank you! That helps!

Since I’m still beginning my Latin journey, I lack the confidence to interpret sentences; I doubt myself a lot. I’m also an extramural student, so don’t get the opportunity to process ideas with other students, so I really appreciate you taking the time to help.

Thanks again!

4

I see I made a slip: I should have written “negative imperative” instead of “negative infinitive.”

Noli(te) + infinitive is a sort of negative imperative or prohibition.