Usages of esse
Ego sum laetus.
I am happy.
Tu es laetus.
You are happy.
Familia est magna.
The family is large.
Amicus est laetus.
The friend is happy.
Puella est laeta.
The girl is happy.
Discipulus et magister in via sunt.
The student and the teacher are on the road.
Amicus cum discipulo in via est.
The friend is on the road with the student.
Pater et mater cum familia in villa laeti sunt.
Father and mother are happy with the family in the villa.
Oppidum est magnum, sed non est urbs.
(The town is large, but it is not a city.)
Iter longum est, et nos in oppidum festinamus.
(The journey is long, and we hurry to the town.)
Si via est longa, equus utilis est.
(If the road is long, a horse is useful.)
Equus etiam agricolae utilis est in agris.
(A horse is also useful to the farmer in the fields.)
In insula magna silva est, et multi senes ibi habitant.
(On the large island there is a forest, and many old men live there.)
Magistra discipulae narrat: “Tempus est bonum.”
(The female teacher tells the female student: “Time is good.”)
Si tempestas in mari est, nautae magnum periculum timent.
(If there is a storm at sea, the sailors fear great danger.)
Nos laeti sumus, et multum laboramus.
(We are happy, and we work a lot.)
Iter longum, sed nos laeti sumus.
The journey is long, but we are happy.
Nomen militis est Marcus, sed multi eum timidum vocant.
(The soldier’s name is Marcus, but many call him timid.)
Marcus tamen fortis est et bellum non amat.
(However, Marcus is brave and does not love war.)
Imperator scit: “Pax est melior quam bellum.”
(The emperor knows: “Peace is better than war.”)
Si timidus es, studere potes in urbe, sed si fortis es, potes dormire in horto.
(If you are timid, you can study in the city, but if you are brave, you can sleep in the garden.)
Multi dicunt nomen meum altum esse, sed ego sum discipulus laetus.
(Many say my name is lofty, but I am a happy student.)
Mox puer fortis erit, et miles erit.
(Soon the boy will be brave, and he will be a soldier.)
Imperator dicit: “Miles fortis erit, sed bellum manebit.”
(The emperor says: “The soldier will be brave, but war will remain.”)
Nuntius dicit: “Mox dea ad urbem ambulabit et templum laetum erit.”
(The messenger says: “Soon the goddess will walk to the city and the temple will be happy.”)
Tu es timidus, tamen mens tua fortis est.
You are timid, however your mind is strong.
Nunc orare in templo melius est.
Now it is better to pray in the temple.
Magister in horto laetior est quam in villa.
The teacher is happier in the garden than in the house.
Laetus sum, quia magister meus me laudat.
I am happy because my teacher praises me.
Discipulus dicit: "Caelum specto, nam interdum est pulchrum."
The student says: "I look at the sky, for sometimes it is beautiful."
Hodie dies clarus fuit, sed discipuli tamen in schola manserunt.
Today the day was bright, but the students nevertheless stayed in the school.
Heri nox quoque quieta fuit, nam ignem in via numquam vidimus.
Yesterday the night was also quiet, for we never saw a fire in the road.
Cras dies brevis erit, sed multi discipuli ad scholam venient.
Tomorrow the day will be short, but many students will come to the school.
Heri puella tristis fuit, nunc tamen cum fratre suo ridet.
Yesterday the girl was sad, now however she laughs with her brother.
Hodie dies brevis fuit, sed cras dies longus erit in schola.
Today the day was short, but tomorrow the day will be long at school.
Post quietam noctem corpus discipulae non est triste, sed laborare vult et studere potest.
After a quiet night the female student's body is not sad, but it wants to work and is able to study.
Hodie caelum clarum est.
Today the sky is bright.
Vox discipuli clara est.
The student's voice is clear.
Domus magna est.
The house is large.
Puer intrat cubiculum quod parvum est.
The boy enters the bedroom which is small.
In cubiculo fenestra est, et puer eam vesperi claudit.
In the bedroom there is a window, and the boy closes it in the evening.
Hodie dies frigidus est, sed domus calida est.
Today the day is cold, but the house is warm.
Filia respondet: "Librum lego, quia foris dies frigidus est."
The daughter answers: "I am reading a book, because outside the day is cold."
Filia respondet: "Fortasse cras cum eis curram; nunc domi manere melius est."
The daughter answers: "Perhaps tomorrow I will run with them; now it is better to stay at home."
Mater respondet: "Nonne avia in horto cantabit, ubi luna et stellae lucent? Nunc fenestram aperio, ita lucerna clara erit."
Mother answers: "Won’t grandmother sing in the garden, where the moon and stars shine? Now I am opening the window, so the lamp will be bright."
Mater respondet: "Nonne potestis ludere aut legere? Quomodo sine avia tristes esse potestis?"
Mother answers: "Can you not play or read? How can you be sad without grandmother?"
Hodie dies obscurus est.
Today the day is dark.
Discipulus libros legit, ita mens eius non est tristis.
The student reads books, so his mind is not sad.
In domo nostra magna ianua et paucae fenestrae sunt.
In our house there is a large door and few windows.
In cubiculo parvo lectus est, et prope fenestram sella stat.
In the small bedroom there is a bed, and near the window a chair stands.
Mater aures pueri videt et dicit: "Aures tuae purae sunt."
Mother sees the boy's ears and says: "Your ears are clean."
Postquam pedes lavit, puer etiam aures lavat, et nunc aures purae sunt.
After he has washed his feet, the boy also washes his ears, and now his ears are clean.
Servus statim currit et celer est, domina autem lente ambulat et tarda est.
The servant runs immediately and is quick, but the lady walks slowly and is slow.
In schola magnum silentium est, et magister tacet.
In the school there is great silence, and the teacher is silent.
Quamquam nox obscura est, mater sola non timet.
Although the night is dark, mother alone is not afraid.
Vestri amici pauci sunt, sed boni; deinde alii ad scholam venient.
Your friends are few, but good; then others will come to the school.
Postquam domina fabulam narravit, pueri in lectis dormiunt et manus quietae sunt.
After the lady has told the story, the boys sleep in their beds and their hands are at rest.
Puer fessus est, tamen ad scholam currit.
The tired boy is tired, yet he runs to the school.
Heri coquus piscem lente coquebat, quia fessus erat.
Yesterday the cook was slowly cooking the fish, because he was tired.
Olim pater pecuniam lente numerabat, nam numeri magni erant.
Once father was slowly counting the money, for the numbers were large.
Tertia hora discipuli iam fessi sunt, sed magister adhuc docet.
At the third hour the students are already tired, but the teacher is still teaching.
Olim infans saepe aegrota erat, et medica ad villam veniebat.
Once the baby was often sick, and a female doctor used to come to the villa.
Nunc medicus dicit infantem sanum esse et mater gaudet.
Now the male doctor says that the baby is healthy and mother rejoices.
Cum puer aegrotus erat, medica cum eo manebat tota hora.
When the boy was sick, the female doctor stayed with him for a whole hour.
Postquam puer sanus erat, puer cum sorore pila iterum ludebat.
After the boy was healthy, the boy was again playing with the ball with his sister.
Postea dominus numerum pecuniae spectat et dicit pretium tunicae veteris esse nimium.
Afterwards the master looks at the amount of money and says that the price of the old tunic is too much.
Mater dicit ludum esse bonum, sed clamorem puerorum nimium esse, quia pueri diu non tacent.
Mother says the game is good, but that the noise of the boys is too much, because the boys do not keep quiet for a long time.
Pater olim laboriosus agricola erat et tota die in agris laborabat.
Father once was a hardworking farmer and all day long he used to work in the fields.
Nunc mater laboriosior est quam pater, nam tota domus cura eius est et tamen gaudet.
Now mother is more hardworking than father, for the whole house is her responsibility and yet she rejoices.
In via clamor mercatorum magnus est, sed in culina solum coquus et servus quiete loquuntur.
In the street the merchants’ noise is loud, but in the kitchen only the cook and the servant speak quietly.
Numerus in libro magnus est.
The number in the book is large.
In caelo multae nubes sunt, et pluvia lente cadit.
In the sky there are many clouds, and rain falls slowly.
Magnum flumen inter oppidum et silvam est.
A great river is between the town and the forest.
Prope scholam parva bibliotheca est, ubi discipuli post scholam libros legere amant.
Near the school there is a small library, where the students like to read books after school.
Magistra dicit: "Hic liber facilis est, ille liber difficilis; tamen vos potestis multum discere."
The (female) teacher says: "This book is easy, that book is difficult; nevertheless you can learn a lot."
Puer dicit: "Ego quoque aviam iuvare debeo, quamquam iam fessa est."
The boy says: "I also ought to help grandmother, although she is already tired."
Inter flumen et viam parvus pons est, et pueri de ponte flumen spectant.
Between the river and the road there is a small bridge, and the boys look at the river from the bridge.
Mater ianuam claudit ne infans foris exeat et ut domus tuta sit.
Mother closes the door so that the baby may not go outside and so that the house may be safe.
Magister cum discipulis in schola manet, ne pueri soli per viam domum currant; nam pueri ibi tuti sunt.
The teacher stays in the school with the students, so that the boys do not run home alone through the street; for there the boys are safe.
Puer dicit: "Hic hortus parvus est, ille autem hortus prope flumen magnus et pulcher est."
The boy says: "This garden is small, but that garden near the river is large and beautiful."
Discipuli diu in bibliotheca manent, quia discere volunt etiam ea quae difficilia sunt, non solum quae facilia sunt.
The students stay in the library for a long time, because they want to learn even the things that are difficult, not only the things that are easy.
Sic populus in urbe tutus est, quia hostes foris manent et nocte taciti non intrant.
Thus the people in the city are safe, because the enemies stay outside and do not enter silently at night.
Discipuli libros legunt et cum magistro loquuntur; sic cotidie multum discunt, ut mentes eorum semper fortiores sint.
The students read books and talk with the teacher; thus every day they learn much, so that their minds may always be stronger.
Nos ante portam exspectamus, dum mater in foro est.
We wait in front of the gate while mother is in the forum.
Pater hodie occupatus est, sed puella opus domi facit.
Father is busy today, but the girl does the work at home.
Subito nuntius venit et dicit certum esse hostes prope urbem manere.
Suddenly a messenger comes and says that it is certain that enemies are staying near the city.
Imperator scit opus grave esse, sed pacem servare vult.
The emperor knows that the task is serious, but he wants to preserve peace.
Non sum certus discipulos paratos esse, sed magistra dicit eos paratos esse.
I am not sure that the students are ready, but the teacher says that they are ready.
Magistra dicit discipulas paratas esse et pacem servare velle, quamquam opus grave est.
The teacher says that the female students are ready and want to preserve peace, although the task is serious.
Ego puto caelum hodie clarum esse.
I think that the sky is bright today.
Hic locus prope pontem tutus est.
This place near the bridge is safe.
Magister id putat verum esse.
The teacher thinks it is true.
Magistra dicit disciplinam in schola utilem esse.
The teacher says that discipline is useful in the school.
Ego certus sum te veritatem dixisse.
I am sure that you told the truth.
Servus aquam calidam ad cubiculum ferre non potest, quia fessus est.
The servant cannot carry warm water to the bedroom, because he is tired.
Imperator certus est milites in oppido vigilare.
The emperor is sure that the soldiers are keeping watch in the town.
Magister dicit nuntium verum esse.
The teacher says that the message is true.
Servus linteum invenit et rogat: “Cuius est hoc linteum?”
The servant finds the towel and asks: “Whose towel is this?”
Ianua aperta est, et hospes intrat.
The door is open, and the guest enters.
Servus rogat dominum: “Cuius est hic liber?”
The servant asks the master: “Whose book is this?”
Imperator certe scit pacem meliorem esse quam bellum.
The emperor certainly knows that peace is better than war.
Nuntius auditus est, et turba tacet.
The messenger has been heard, and the crowd is silent.
Nimius clamor in foro est, igitur nos in villa tacemus.
There is too much noise in the forum, therefore we are silent in the villa.
Dominus servum iubet ianuam claudere, ut domus tuta sit.
The master orders the servant to close the door, so that the house may be safe.
Ianua villae aperta est, et nos intramus.
The door of the villa is open, and we enter.
In foro statua imperatoris alta est, et multi eam spectant.
In the forum there is a tall statue of the emperor, and many people look at it.
Noli foris exire, quia nox obscura est.
Do not go outside, because the night is dark.
In mercatu panem, caseum, et olivas emit, et sporta eius plena est.
In the market she buys bread, cheese, and olives, and her basket is full.
Caupo respondet se pretium minuere non posse, quia amphora vini iam vacua est.
The innkeeper answers that he cannot lower the price, because the jar of wine is already empty.
Puer quoque se audacem esse dicit, sed mater ridet.
The boy also says that he is bold, but mother laughs.
Mater dicit ventum mox desiturum esse, et nos in horto exspectamus.
Mother says the wind will soon stop, and we wait in the garden.
Avia respondet lanam utilem esse, quia ex lana tunicam texere potest.
Grandmother answers that wool is useful, because from wool she can weave a tunic.
Pater rogat utrum sal in domo iam sit an sal adhuc desit.
Father asks whether there is already salt in the house or whether salt is still lacking.
Ventus frigidus est, igitur puella domi manet.
The wind is cold, therefore the girl stays at home.
Puer dicit ventum desiturum esse, sed mater id non credit.
The boy says that the wind is going to stop, but mother does not believe it.
Quamquam dies frigidus est, nos in villa cenamus.
Although the day is cold, we dine in the villa.
Discipuli veritatem audire cupiunt, sed clamor in via magnus est.
The students want to hear the truth, but the noise in the street is loud.
In dono annulus pulcher est.
In the gift there is a beautiful ring.
Quaestio difficilis est, sed responsum pueri verum est.
The question is difficult, but the boy’s answer is true.
Quia memoria eius bona est, puella verba nova non facile obliviscitur.
Because her memory is good, the girl does not easily forget the new words.
Avus, qui in horto sedet, fabulam de familia sua narrat; memoria eius adhuc clara est.
Grandfather, who is sitting in the garden, tells a story about his family; his memory is still clear.
In bibliotheca muri veteres sunt, sed tectum tutum manet.
In the library the walls are old, but the roof remains safe.
Mihi hodie una pagina scribenda est, sed manus iam fessa est.
Today one page must be written by me, but my hand is already tired.
Tibi responsum ad hanc quaestionem ante cenam dandum est.
An answer to this question must be given by you before dinner.
Vobis per has scalas lente eundum est, quia gradus alti sunt.
You must go slowly on these stairs, because the steps are high.
Hiems longa est, et nix ante ianuam manet.
Winter is long, and snow remains before the door.
Avus dicit ver sibi semper gaudium dare, quia sol clarior est.
Grandfather says that spring always gives him joy, because the sun is brighter.
Mater dicit pluviam mox desituram esse, et pueri foris ludere poterunt.
Mother says that the rain will soon stop, and the boys will be able to play outside.
Mihi hodie epistula brevis scribenda est.
A short letter must be written by me today.
Post scholam liber magistro dandus est.
After school the book must be given to the teacher.
Mihi domum eundum est, quia nox obscura est.
I must go home, because the night is dark.
In campo multa herba est, et oves in herba stant.
In the field there is much grass, and the sheep stand in the grass.
Autumno multa folia in terra sunt.
In autumn many leaves are on the ground.
In aestate calor magnus est, et pueri frigus aquae amant.
In summer the heat is great, and the boys like the coolness of the water.
Autumnus pulcher est, quia folia multa in terra sunt.
Autumn is beautiful, because many leaves are on the ground.
Boni discipuli magistris parent, quia disciplina et mos in schola utiles sunt.
Good students obey their teachers, because discipline and custom are useful in school.
Si culpa parva est, magistra poenam gravem non dat.
If the fault is small, the teacher does not give a severe punishment.
Haec sententia brevis est, sed exemplum clarum dat.
This sentence is short, but it gives a clear example.
Cum calor magnus esset, nos sub umbra arborum sedebamus et aquam bibebamus.
When the heat was great, we were sitting under the shade of the trees and drinking water.
In valle parva herba alta est, sed in monte saepe paucae arbores sunt.
In the small valley the grass is tall, but on the mountain there are often few trees.
Terra post pluviam bona est, et herba in campo alta est.
The ground is good after the rain, and the grass in the field is tall.
Parentes dicunt bonos mores in domo et in schola servandos esse.
The parents say that good manners must be kept at home and at school.
Si discipula officium non facit, culpa eius clara est; si bene laborat, praemium accipit.
If a female student does not do her duty, her fault is clear; if she works well, she receives a reward.
Magistra dicit responsum eius verum esse.
The teacher says that his answer is true.
Parentes dicunt disciplinam in schola et in domo utilem esse.
The parents say that discipline is useful in school and at home.
Si culpa gravis est, poena quoque gravis est.
If the fault is serious, the punishment is also serious.
Pax in urbe servanda est.
Peace must be preserved in the city.
Tu tunicam calidam induere debes, quia ventus frigidus est.
You must put on a warm tunic, because the wind is cold.
Mater dicit vultum filiae laetum esse, sed nasum eius frigidum esse.
Mother says that her daughter’s face is happy, but that her nose is cold.
Coquus ovum cum farina miscet, ut panis mollis sit.
The cook mixes an egg with flour so that the bread may be soft.
Puer mel amat, quia sapor eius dulcis est.
The boy loves honey, because its taste is sweet.
Farina tam sicca est ut mater aquam addat.
The flour is so dry that mother adds water.
Sapor huius herbae tam amarus est ut puella eam edere non velit.
The taste of this herb is so bitter that the girl does not want to eat it.
Medicus dicit medicamentum amarum esse, sed utile esse.
The doctor says that the medicine is bitter, but useful.
Tunica sororis non alba est, sed rubra.
The sister’s tunic is not white, but red.
Post pluviam campus tam viridis est ut avus diu eum spectet.
After the rain the field is so green that grandfather looks at it for a long time.
Pluvia tam gravis est ut cives domum currant.
The rain is so heavy that the citizens run home.
Avus in speculo vultum suum spectat et dicit se hodie laetiorem esse.
Grandfather looks at his face in the mirror and says that he is happier today.
Si nasus tuus frigidus est et bracchia quoque frigida sunt, domi manere melius est.
If your nose is cold and your arms are cold too, it is better to stay at home.
Coquus aquam addit, ut panis mollis sit.
The cook adds water, so that the bread may be soft.
Puer cum amico suo laetior est quam solus.
The boy is happier with his friend than alone.
Ad sinistram taberna est, ad dextram autem bibliotheca.
On the left there is a shop, but on the right there is a library.
Avus dicit puerum cautum esse debere, cum per scalas descendat.
Grandfather says that the boy ought to be careful when he goes down the stairs.
Paries cubiculi albus est, sed paries atrii iam sordidus est.
The wall of the bedroom is white, but the wall of the atrium is now dirty.
Uxor promittit se cras ad mercatum venturam esse.
The wife promises that she will come to the market tomorrow.
Maritus promittit se cras panem et caseum empturum esse.
The husband promises that he will buy bread and cheese tomorrow.
Uxor dicit se per vicum sinistrum non ituram esse, sed per vicum dextrum.
The wife says that she will not go by the left street, but by the right street.
Cum ad villam pervenissent, puella et mater negaverunt iter difficile fuisse, quia vicus rectus erat.
When they had reached the house, the girl and her mother denied that the journey had been difficult, because the street was straight.
Mihi ad forum eundum est, quia sal deest.
I must go to the forum, because salt is lacking.
Mater puerum monet ut cautus sit, cum viam transeat.
Mother warns the boy to be careful when he crosses the road.
Puer dicit matrem mox domum venturam esse.
The boy says that mother will soon come home.
Mater dicit se panem et olivas empturam esse.
Mother says that she is going to buy bread and olives.
Paries atrii iam non sordidus est, sed mundus.
The wall of the atrium is now not dirty, but clean.
Mater dicit se ad forum ituram esse.
Mother says that she is going to go to the forum.
Si nihil in crumena est, a mercatore nihil emere possumus.
If there is nothing in the purse, we can buy nothing from the merchant.
Magister dicit titulum bonum esse, sed in secunda linea mendum parvum latere.
The teacher says that the title is good, but that a small mistake is hidden in the second line.
Magistra dicit discipulam diligentem esse, quia mendum cito corrigit.
The teacher says that the female student is diligent, because she corrects the mistake quickly.
Puer minus diligens est; ideo idem mendum iterum describit nec statim corrigit.
The boy is less diligent; therefore he copies the same mistake again and does not correct it at once.
Cum titulus nimis longus esset, magister eum breviorem facere iussit.
Since the title was too long, the teacher ordered it to be made shorter.
Discipula rogat quot lineae in hoc codice scribendae sint.
The female student asks how many lines must be written in this book.
Ex omnibus discipulis Lucia diligentissima est, sed Marcus celerrime scribit.
Of all the students, Lucia is the most diligent, but Marcus writes the most quickly.
Hic titulus omnium brevissimus est, ille autem clarissimus.
This title is the shortest of all, but that one is the clearest.
Magister dicit codicem veterrimum pulcherrimum quoque esse, quia cera et sigillum eius adhuc servantur.
The teacher says that the oldest book is also the most beautiful, because its wax and seal are still preserved.
Ex duabus crumenis haec plenissima est, sed illa minus argenti habet.
Of the two purses, this one is the fullest, but that one has less money.
Si non es certus, magistram ipsam interroga; ipsa enim optimum consilium saepe dat.
If you are not sure, ask the teacher herself; for she often gives the best advice.
Discipuli dicunt nihil facilius esse quam menda corrigere, si exemplum optimum ante oculos habent.
The students say that nothing is easier than correcting mistakes, if they have the best example before their eyes.
Ego autem puto difficillimum esse verbum novum sine mendo describere, cum manus et mens satis quietae non sunt.
I, however, think that it is most difficult to copy a new word without a mistake, when the hand and mind are not calm enough.
Pater dicit pacem servare melius esse quam bellum timere.
Father says that preserving peace is better than fearing war.
Ianitor portam urbis claudit, quia nox obscura est.
The doorkeeper closes the city gate, because the night is dark.
Cum nox obscura esset, pater lucernam accendit.
When the night was dark, father lit the lamp.
Puer dicit aquam nimis frigidam esse.
The boy says that the water is too cold.
Hic titulus brevior est quam ille.
This title is shorter than that one.
Marcus diligentissimus est, quia menda cito corrigit.
Marcus is the most diligent, because he corrects mistakes quickly.
Haec via ad forum brevissima est.
This road to the forum is the shortest.
Ex omnibus templis hoc templum pulcherrimum est.
Of all the temples, this temple is the most beautiful.
Hoc certe verum est.
This is certainly true.
Sporta servi plenissima est, quia panem, caseum, et olivas portat.
The servant’s basket is very full, because he is carrying bread, cheese, and olives.
Haec sententia omnium difficillima est.
This sentence is the most difficult of all.
Sol hodie clarior est quam heri.
The sun is brighter today than yesterday.
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