Questions & Answers about Utinam cantharus in fornace non frangatur!
What does utinam do at the beginning of the sentence?
Utinam is a particle used to express a wish. It often corresponds to English if only, would that, or may. It does not mean an action by itself; it signals that the whole clause is something the speaker hopes for.
Why is frangatur in the subjunctive instead of the indicative?
Latin regularly uses the subjunctive after utinam to express a wish. The speaker is not saying that the cup actually breaks or does not break; the speaker is wishing that it not happen.
So:
- frangitur = it is broken / it breaks
- frangatur = may it be broken / may it break in a wish-clause
What exactly is frangatur grammatically?
Frangatur is:
- 3rd person singular
- present subjunctive
- passive
- from frangere, meaning to break
The ending -tur shows that it is passive. The subjunctive vowel here is part of the present subjunctive formation.
Does frangatur literally mean break or be broken?