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Nos consilium magistrae libenter accipimus.

Nos consilium magistrae libenter accipimus.
We gladly accept the teacher’s advice.

Breakdown of Nos consilium magistrae libenter accipimus.

nos
we
magistra
the teacher
libenter
gladly
consilium
the advice
accipere
to accept
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Questions & Answers about Nos consilium magistrae libenter accipimus.

Why does the sentence include nos if accipimus already means we accept?

Latin verb endings already show the subject, so accipimus by itself can mean we accept. Adding nos is optional and usually adds emphasis or contrast, e.g. We (as opposed to someone else) gladly accept the teacher’s advice.

Is nos nominative or accusative here?

It’s nominative here (the subject = we). The form nos can be either nominative (we) or accusative (us), so you decide by context: since accipimus is 1st person plural (we accept), nos must be the subject, not the object.

What case is consilium, and how do I know?

Consilium is accusative singular, functioning as the direct object of accipimus (accept takes a direct object: accept what?).
It also happens to look like nominative because consilium is neuter (2nd declension): neuter nominative and accusative singular are identical.

What case is magistrae and what does it mean here?

Magistrae is most naturally genitive singular: of the (female) teacher, so consilium magistrae = the teacher’s advice/plan.
Form-wise, magistrae could also be dative singular (to/for the teacher) or nominative plural (teachers), but those don’t fit this sentence’s structure/meaning as well.

How can I tell that magistrae is genitive (possession) rather than dative?

A quick checklist:

  • consilium needs no indirect object here; it’s the thing being accepted.
  • A dative magistrae would mean something like we accept advice for the teacher (odd in most contexts).
  • Putting a noun right after another noun often signals a genitive relationship, especially with ideas like ownership/association: consilium magistrae = the teacher’s advice.
What part of speech is libenter, and what exactly does it modify?

Libenter is an adverb meaning gladly / willingly / with pleasure. It modifies the verb accipimus: we accept gladly.

Why is libenter placed where it is? Can Latin move it around?

Yes. Latin word order is flexible because endings show grammatical roles. Libenter can appear in different places for emphasis or style, for example:

  • Nos libenter consilium magistrae accipimus.
  • Nos consilium magistrae accipimus libenter.
    All still mean essentially We gladly accept the teacher’s advice, though the focus can shift slightly.
What tense/mood/person is accipimus?

Accipimus is present tense, indicative mood, 1st person plural of accipere: we accept / we are accepting.
It’s a 3rd-conjugation verb (commonly listed as accipiō, accipere, accēpī, acceptum).

Why isn’t there a word for the in the Latin?

Latin has no definite or indefinite articles (the / a). Whether you translate consilium as advice, the advice, or a piece of advice depends on context.

Could Latin say “We accept the teacher’s advice from the teacher”? How would that look?

Yes. If you specifically want from the teacher (source), Latin often uses a/ab + ablative:

  • Nos consilium libenter ab magistrā accipimus. = We gladly accept advice from the teacher.
    That’s different from consilium magistrae, which highlights whose advice it is (possession/association) rather than the physical “from” relationship.