Hemisphaerium bipedale est.

to be

Breakdown of Hemisphaerium bipedale est.

• bipedalis: two Roman feet long or wide
• hemisphaerium: the hemisphere; domed ceiling

Questions & Answers about Hemisphaerium bipedale est.

Why does hemisphaerium end in -um if it is the subject?

Because hemisphaerium is a second-declension neuter noun. In Latin, second-declension neuter nouns have -um in both the nominative singular and the accusative singular.

So even though -um often makes English-speaking learners think of an object, here it is the subject. We can tell because it goes with est and because bipedale matches it.

Why is bipedale not bipedalis?

Because bipedalis, bipedale is an adjective with:

• bipedalis for masculine/feminine
• bipedale for neuter

Since hemisphaerium is neuter singular, the adjective must also be neuter singular. That is why Latin uses bipedale.

What case is bipedale here?

It is nominative singular neuter.

With est and other forms of sum, a predicate adjective usually agrees with the subject in case, number, and gender. So:

• hemisphaerium = nominative singular neuter
• bipedale = nominative singular neuter

Is bipedale an adjective or a noun in this sentence?