Quamquam nox obscura est, mater sola non timet.

to be

Breakdown of Quamquam nox obscura est, mater sola non timet.

• mater: the mother
• non: not
• timere: to fear

Questions & Answers about Quamquam nox obscura est, mater sola non timet.

What does quamquam mean here, and what kind of clause does it introduce?

Quamquam is a subordinating conjunction meaning “although / though.”

It introduces a concessive clause: something that is true, but is presented as being in contrast with the main clause.

• Quamquam nox obscura est = Although the night is dark
• mater sola non timet = the mother is not afraid (even so).

In Classical Latin, quamquam is normally followed by the indicative (as here: est, not sit). The concessive / contrastive idea is carried by quamquam itself; you don’t need an extra word like however or yet in Latin.

Why is there no word for “the” in quamquam nox obscura est, mater sola non timet?

Latin has no definite or indefinite articles (no words for “the, a, an”).

You simply say nox (night) and mater (mother), and context tells you whether to translate them as “a night / the night / night” and “a mother / the mother / mother.”

So:

• nox obscura est can be “the night is dark” or “night is dark”
• mater sola non timet can be “the mother is not afraid alone” or “mother is not afraid when she is alone.”

English must add the / a; Latin just uses the bare noun.