Learn Hardcore Latin: Filius ad oppidum fugit.

Filius is a second-declension masculine noun in the nominative singular form. In Latin, second-declension masculine nouns often end in -us when they are the subject of the sentence.

What case is oppidum, and why is it used here?

Oppidum is in the accusative case, which follows the preposition ad (meaning to or toward). In Latin, many prepositions (including ad) require the accusative case.

How do we recognize the subject and the verb in this sentence?

The subject is filius because it is in the nominative case. The verb is fugit, which ends in -it and indicates the third-person singular (he/she/it). Therefore, filius fugit translates to the son flees.

Why is fugit sometimes translated as flees or has fled?

In Classical Latin, fugit can represent the present tense (he flees) or the perfect tense (he has fled) depending on context. However, most often in simple sentences like this, it is read as the present tense.

Is there any difference between oppidum and other words for city like urbs?

Yes, generally oppidum refers to a smaller town or settlement, whereas urbs often refers to a larger city (especially Rome itself in many contexts). The difference is somewhat flexible, but oppidum is typically translated as town.