1. Lesson IV: 2nd Declension Nouns
Oct , 2014

2. Let’s Review! Nouns are divided into groups called declensions..
Declensions are a set of shared endings.
So far, we’ve learned 1st Declension Nouns.

3. (Endings) Case Singular Plural Nominative a ae Genitive ae arum
In Latin, the endings indicate the case of the noun. 1st Declension Noun Review
(Endings)
Case Singular Plural
Nominative a ae
Genitive ae arum
Dative ae is
Accusative am as
Ablative ā is
Example:
insularum = plural genitive

4. Step 2: Add the case endings to the noun stem.
Singular Plural
Nominative
Genitive
Dative
Accusative
Ablative

5. 1st Declension vs. 2nd Declension
1st declension nouns end in –ae in their genitive singular, regardless of their gender.
2nd declension nouns end in –i in the genitive singular, regardless of their gender.
agricola, agricolae: 1st declension
carrus, carri: 2nd declension

6. Which Declension Is It? -ae: 1st -i: 2nd
agricola, agricolae (m.)
puella, puellae (f.)
equus, equi (m.)
carrus, carri (m.)
poeta, poetae (m.)
via, viae (f.)
servus, servi (m.)
1st
2nd

7. 2nd Declension Nouns!
2nd declension nouns end in –i in the genitive singular.
Most 2nd declension nouns are masculine or neuter. (not all!)
Let’s learn how to decline a 2nd declension masculine noun on its “declension chart.”

8. 2nd Declension Masculine Nouns
Write these down!
(Endings)
Case Singular Plural
Nominative us i
Genitive i orum
Dative o is
Accusative um os
Ablative o is

9. Dictionary entry of a noun: servus servi, m. slave
Step 1 – Find the noun stem
The noun stem is found by dropping the genitive singular ending from the noun.
Dictionary entry of a noun:
servus servi, m slave
Meaning
Genitive singular
Gender
Nominative singular
servi – i = serv-
Noun Stem

10. 2nd Declension Nouns servus, servi (m.) --- slave
Case Singular Plural
Nominative servus servi
Genitive servi servorum
Dative servo servis
Accusative servum servos
Ablative servo servis
Your turn! Try equus, equi (m.) --- horse

11. Your Turn! Decline carrus, carri (m.) cart, wagon
Case Singular Plural
Nominative carrus carri
Genitive carri carrorum
Dative carro carris
Accusative carrum carros
Ablative carro carris

12. Your Turn! Decline equus, equi (m.) horse
Case Singular Plural
Nominative equus equi
Genitive equi equorum
Dative equo equis
Accusative equum equos
Ablative equo equis

13. Which Chart Do I Use? 1st declension or 2nd declension?
A noun only has 1 (ONE) chart.
Look at the genitive singular ending.
If it’s –ae, use the 1st declension chart.
If it’s –i, use the 2nd declension chart.
1st
2nd
puella, puellae
carrus, carri

14. Nouns and Adjectives
Remember that nouns and adjectives must agree in GENDER, NUMBER, and CASE.
Adjectives can be declined with 2nd declension endings to modify masculine nouns.
carrus bonus: the good cart
servi boni: the good slaves
agricola bonus: the good farmer

15. parva puella: the little girl

16. magnus equus: the big horse

17. carrus bonus: the good cart

18. carri boni: the good carts

19. agricola bonus: the good farmer

20. Adjective practice Complete each sentence with the correct endings.
Bon____ est equus.
Carri long____ sunt.
Ubi sunt viae long____?
Servus equum mal____ non amat.
Terra erat dur____. us i ae um a

21. Write Latin and English!
Textbook p. 37 Ex. A
1. Viae sunt malae.
2. Servus erat parvus.
3. Servus est non malus.
4. Equi magni sunt et boni.
5. Carri magni sunt sed equi sunt parvi.
6. Servi aquam laudant.
7. Servus malus in terra laborat.
8. Agricola magnos carros spectat.
9. Ubi servi multos carros parant?
10. Puella et agricola longam vitam laudant.
Write Latin and English!