Iter longum, sed nos laeti sumus.

to be

Breakdown of Iter longum, sed nos laeti sumus.

• laetus: happy
• sed: but
• nos: we
• iter: the journey
• longus: long

Questions & Answers about Iter longum, sed nos laeti sumus.

Why is longum used instead of longus when describing iter?

Iter is a neuter noun (third declension), so any adjective describing it must also appear in the neuter form. Therefore, longum (neuter nominative singular) correctly matches the gender of iter, whereas longus (masculine nominative singular) would not.

Why do we see the personal pronoun nos here, even though Latin often omits subject pronouns?

Latin typically omits pronouns when the subject is clear from the verb form. However, a speaker may include nos for emphasis or clarity—in this case, emphasizing that we are the ones who are happy, not someone else.

What is the role of sed in this sentence?

Sed simply means but. It contrasts the first idea (iter longum, "the journey is long") with the second idea (nos laeti sumus, "we are happy"). Other words can also mean “but,” yet sed is one of the most straightforward choices.

How do we parse laeti sumus?

Laeti is a nominative plural adjective meaning happy (usually masculine, but can be used for a mixed group as well). Sumus is the first-person plural present active indicative of sum (to be). Together, they convey we are happy.

Why is laeti plural when we're translating to we are happy?

Because we indicates a group (plural), the adjective describing that group should also be in the plural form. In Latin, adjectives must match the number (singular or plural), gender, and case of the noun or pronoun they modify.