Nos ad insulam navigamus, nautas salutamus et cibum parvum sumimus.

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Breakdown of Nos ad insulam navigamus, nautas salutamus et cibum parvum sumimus.

• parvus: small
• nos: we
• ad: to
• insula: the island
• navigare: to sail
• nauta: the sailor
• salutare: to greet
• cibus: the food
• sumere: to take

Questions & Answers about Nos ad insulam navigamus, nautas salutamus et cibum parvum sumimus.

Why is Nos used if the verb navigamus already indicates “we”?

In Latin, the subject pronoun (here Nos) is often omitted because the verb’s ending indicates the subject. However, speakers and writers may add Nos for extra emphasis or clarity. In this sentence, Nos highlights the fact that “we” are doing all these actions.

Why is ad insulam used in the accusative case?

After the preposition ad, Latin normally uses the accusative case to indicate the destination or goal of motion. Since insulam is telling us where we are sailing (toward the island), it must be accusative.

Why is nautas accusative too?

The verb salutamus (we greet) takes a direct object in the accusative case. Here, nautas (sailors) is the direct object of the greeting, so it must be in the accusative.

What does cibum parvum mean and why is parvum also in the accusative?

Cibum parvum translates roughly as “a small amount of food” or “some small food.” In Latin, adjectives agree with the noun they modify in case, number, and gender. Since cibum is accusative singular masculine, parvum is also accusative singular masculine.

What is the function of sumimus in the sentence?

Sumimus is the first-person plural present form of sumere, meaning “to take” or “to consume.” Here, it indicates that “we” are taking and partaking of a little food. It goes with cibum parvum as the direct object.