Questions & Answers about Ego certus sum te veritatem dixisse.
Why is ego there? Do I have to include it?
No. Latin usually leaves the subject pronoun out because the verb ending already shows the person: sum = I am. Ego is added for emphasis or contrast (e.g., I am sure, as opposed to someone else).
What does certus sum literally mean, and why is it two words?
Literally certus sum means I am certain. Latin often uses sum + an adjective where English might use a verb like I’m sure.
- certus = certain, sure (adjective)
- sum = I am
Why is it certus and not certa or certum?
Because certus agrees with the (understood) subject ego, which is masculine singular here. If a female speaker said it, she’d typically say certa sum. Neuter certum wouldn’t match a person as the subject.
Why does te appear instead of tu?