Breakdown of Subito puer clamat et matri veritatem dicit.
puer
the boy
et
and
mater
to the mother
clamare
to shout
dicere
to tell
veritas
the truth
subito
suddenly
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Questions & Answers about Subito puer clamat et matri veritatem dicit.
Why does the sentence start with Subito? Does word order change the meaning?
Latin word order is flexible. Subito (suddenly) is placed first for emphasis: it sets the scene before anything happens. The core meaning stays the same even if you move it (e.g., puer subito clamat), but the focus changes: starting with Subito highlights the suddenness.
What case is puer, and how do I know it’s the subject?
puer is nominative singular, which is the standard case for the subject. Also, the verbs clamat and dicit are 3rd person singular, matching puer as he/the boy.
Why is matri used instead of mater?
Because matri is dative singular of mater, matris (f.), meaning to/for the mother. mater would be nominative (the mother as subject), which would not fit the meaning tells (something) to his mother.
How can I tell that matri means “to the mother” and not something else?
The dative commonly expresses an indirect object: the person receiving something (here, the truth). With a verb like dicit (says/tells), Latin often uses:
- direct object = what is said (here, veritatem)
- indirect object (dative) = to whom it’s said (here, matri)
What case is veritatem, and why?
veritatem is accusative singular of veritas, veritatis (f.), meaning truth. It is the direct object of dicit—it’s the thing being told.
Why are there two verbs, clamat and dicit? Is Latin okay with that?
Yes. The sentence uses et (and) to coordinate two actions with the same subject:
- puer clamat = the boy shouts
- (puer) matri veritatem dicit = (the boy) tells the truth to his mother
Latin often omits repeating the subject when it’s obvious.
Does dicit mean “says” or “tells”? How do I choose?
dico can mean both. The grammar helps:
- With an indirect object in the dative (like matri), it often translates naturally as tells: he tells his mother the truth.
- Without a recipient, it may be better as says: he says the truth (less idiomatic in English, though).
Are clamat and dicit present tense? Could they be translated as past?
Formally, both are present tense, 3rd person singular: he shouts / he tells.
In context, Latin presents can sometimes be translated as past in narrative English (historical present), but grammatically they are present here.
What part of speech is subito here—adjective or adverb?
Here subito is an adverb meaning suddenly. It modifies the actions (clamat and dicit), not the boy. (Latin also has an adjective subitus, -a, -um meaning sudden, but that’s not what this form is doing here.)
Why isn’t there a Latin word for “his” in “his mother”?
Latin often leaves possession implied when it’s obvious, especially with family members. matri can naturally be understood as (his) mother from context. If you needed to make it explicit, you could add a possessive adjective like matri suae (to his own mother), depending on the intended emphasis.
How would the sentence change if “the mother” were the subject instead?
Then mater (nominative) would be used, and the verbs would describe her actions, for example:
- Subito mater clamat et veritatem dicit. = Suddenly the mother shouts and tells the truth.
If she told the truth to the boy, you’d likely use the dative puero: matri would no longer fit.
Is there anything special to notice about pronunciation or stress in these words?
A few useful points:
- puer is two syllables: pu-er
- clāmat has a long ā (often marked in learning materials)
- mātri often has a long ā as well
Stress in Latin usually depends on syllable length (penult rule), so listening practice or marked texts can help as you learn.