Hodie discipula epistulam a matre accipit.

the mother

Breakdown of Hodie discipula epistulam a matre accipit.

• discipula: the female student
• hodie: today
• epistula: the letter

Questions & Answers about Hodie discipula epistulam a matre accipit.

Why does discipula mean the (female) student, and how do I know it’s the subject?

Discipula is a 1st-declension noun meaning female student (contrast discipulus = male student). In this sentence it’s in the nominative singular, which is the normal case for the subject. A quick check: the verb accipit is singular, matching a singular subject like discipula.

Why is epistulam spelled with -am at the end?

Because it’s the direct object of accipit (receives). Epistula (letter) is 1st declension; its accusative singular ends in -am:

• nominative: epistula (a/the letter)
• accusative: epistulam (the letter, as an object)

Why is it a matre and not a mater?

The preposition a/ab (meaning from or by) takes the ablative case. Mater is a 3rd-declension noun; its ablative singular is matre. So:

• mater = nominative (mother, as a subject)
• matrem = accusative (object)
• matre = ablative (after , “from the mother”)