Multi mercatores in foro ambulant et tabernas intrant.

(Many merchants walk in the forum and enter the shops.)

Breakdown of Multi mercatores in foro ambulant et tabernas intrant.

• in: in
• et: and
• mercator: the merchant
• intrare: to enter
• multus: many
• forum: the forum
• ambulare: to walk
• taberna: the shop

Questions & Answers about Multi mercatores in foro ambulant et tabernas intrant.

Which word in the Latin sentence translates as many, and how does it modify mercatores?

Multi is the adjective that translates as many, and it is in the nominative plural form to agree with mercatores, which is also nominative plural. It describes the quantity of the merchants and matches them in gender, number, and case.

Why is foro in the ablative case in the phrase in foro?

In Latin, the preposition in can take either the ablative or the accusative, depending on whether you are expressing location (ablative) or motion towards (accusative). Since here it indicates location (the merchants are walking around in the forum), foro must be in the ablative case.

What is the function of et in this sentence?

Et is a coordinating conjunction meaning and. In this sentence, it connects the two actions performed by the merchants: they walk in the forum and they enter the shops.

Why is tabernas in the accusative case?

Tabernas is the direct object of the verb intrant (they enter). In Latin, the direct object is typically placed in the accusative case, so it indicates that the merchants are entering the shops.

Why does the verb ambulant come before et tabernas intrant instead of last, as some Latin sentences might place it?

While Latin often favors placing the verb at the end, there is considerable flexibility in Latin word order. The position of ambulant here helps emphasize the merchants’ action (walking) before showing the second action introduced by et. Context, rhythm, or emphasis can influence the exact word order in Latin.