Learn Hardcore Latin: 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.

The basic (dictionary) form is cubiculum, -i, n. (a bedroom).
With in meaning in / inside (no movement), Latin uses in + ablative, so cubiculum becomes cubiculo.
The adjective parvus, -a, -um (small) must match cubiculo in:
- gender: neuter
- number: singular
- case: ablative

So parvus → parvo to agree with cubiculo → cubiculo parvo = in the small bedroom.

Why is it in cubiculo parvo and not in cubiculum parvum?

Latin uses in + ablative to show location (where something is), and in + accusative to show motion (where something is going).

in cubiculo parvo = in the small bedroom (location; no movement) → ablative
in cubiculum parvum = into the small bedroom (movement into) → accusative

Since the sentence describes where the bed is, not where it is going, the ablative (cubiculo parvo) is correct.

Why does the adjective come after the noun in cubiculo parvo? Could I say in parvo cubiculo?

Yes, you can say in parvo cubiculo; the meaning is the same.

In Latin, adjectives can come before or after the noun. Word order is flexible and often follows style or emphasis more than strict rules.

in cubiculo parvo
in parvo cubiculo

Both mean in the small bedroom. The important part is that the endings match (both ablative singular neuter), not the word order.

Why do we have lectus est instead of est lectus? Does the word order change the meaning?

The basic meaning does not change: both lectus est and est lectus can mean there is a bed or the bed is.

Latin word order is quite flexible. However:

lectus est is a very normal, neutral order: bed – is.
est lectus might slightly emphasize est or sound a bit more marked, but in a sentence this short the difference is minimal.

So lectus est is just the standard, natural expression here.

Why does the sentence use est with lectus, but stat with sella?

Both verbs are in the 3rd person singular present, but they are different verbs:

est = is (from sum, esse)
stat = stands (from sto, stare)

Latin often uses est simply to say that something exists or is present:

lectus est = there is a bed / a bed is (there).

For the chair, the author chooses stat, which gives a more concrete image:

sella stat = a/the chair stands (is standing there).

You could say sella est (a chair is there), but stat sounds more visual and idiomatic for something like a chair standing near the window.

What case is fenestram, and why is it in that case after prope?

fenestram is accusative singular feminine, from fenestra, -ae, f. (window).

The preposition prope (near, close to) always takes the accusative:

prope fenestram = near the window

So fenestra (nominative) → fenestram (accusative) because of prope.

Why is there no word for the or a in this sentence?

Latin has no articles like English the or a/an.

lectus est can mean there is a bed or the bed is (there), depending on context.
prope fenestram sella stat can be a chair stands near the window or the chair stands near the window.

Which English article you choose depends entirely on the situation and context, not on any specific Latin word.

What are the dictionary forms and genders of cubiculo, lectus, fenestram, and sella?

Here are the forms:

cubiculo → cubiculum, -i, n. (neuter) = bedroom, chamber
- case here: ablative singular (in cubiculo)
lectus → lectus, -i, m. (masculine) = bed, couch
- case here: nominative singular (subject of est)
fenestram → fenestra, -ae, f. (feminine) = window
- case here: accusative singular (object of prope)
sella → sella, -ae, f. (feminine) = chair
- case here: nominative singular (subject of stat)

Could the word order be different, for example Lectus in cubiculo parvo est, et sella prope fenestram stat? Would that change the meaning?

You can absolutely say:

Lectus in cubiculo parvo est, et sella prope fenestram stat.

The meaning is effectively the same:

The bed is in the small bedroom, and the chair stands near the window.

Latin relies mainly on endings, not word order, to show grammar roles. Changing the order can:

Slightly shift emphasis (e.g. lectus first highlights the bed),
But it does not change who is subject or object; the endings still show that.

So this rearrangement is correct and natural.

Why does parvo match cubiculo, but there is no adjective with lectus or sella?

Adjectives in Latin must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they describe:

cubiculo parvo: both are ablative singular neuter → in the small bedroom.

For lectus and sella, the sentence simply doesn’t specify any quality (like big, old, etc.), so no adjectives are used.

You could add them, and they would have to agree:

magnus lectus est = there is a big bed
parva sella stat = a small chair stands
The sentence might then be:
In cubiculo parvo magnus lectus est, et prope fenestram parva sella stat.

What is the difference between est in this sentence and English there is?

Latin often uses est (or sunt in the plural) where English says there is / there are.

lectus est literally = the bed is
But in context it naturally means: there is a bed (there).

Latin does not need an extra word like there; est itself, with the right word order and context, communicates simple existence or presence.

How would the sentence change if there were two beds and two chairs?

You would make the nouns and verbs plural:

lectus est → lecti sunt (beds are / there are beds)
sella stat → sellae stant (chairs stand)

One possible plural version:

In cubiculo parvo lecti sunt, et prope fenestram sellae stant.
= In the small bedroom there are beds, and near the window chairs stand.