Log inSign up

Noli canem laedere.

Noli canem laedere.
Do not hurt the dog.
FromLesson 12inHardcore Latin

Breakdown of Noli canem laedere.

canis
the dog
nolle
to not want
laedere
to harm
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Latin grammar?”
Latin grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning Latin

Master Latin — from Noli canem laedere to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.

  • ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions
Start learning Latin freeBrowse the full course

More from this lesson

navisportusNavis in portu stat.exireNoli foris exire, quia nox obscura est.Nauta navem parat ut cras e portu exeat.duocivis

Questions & Answers about Noli canem laedere.

What does noli mean here, and what form is it?

Noli is the 2nd‑person singular imperative of nolle (nolo, nolle, nolui = to be unwilling / not to want). In negative commands, Latin often uses noli + infinitive to mean don’t … (literally be unwilling to …).

Why is there an infinitive (laedere) instead of an imperative like laede?

Latin commonly forms negative commands with noli (sg.) / nolite (pl.) + infinitive:

  • Noli laedere = Don’t hurt (him/it).
  • Nolite laedere = Don’t hurt (him/it), you all.

You can also make a negative command with ne + present subjunctive (e.g., ne laedas), but noli + infinitive is very frequent and straightforward.

What case is canem, and why?

Canem is accusative singular because it is the direct object of laedere (to hurt). The verb’s action is done to the dog.

What is the dictionary form of canem, and what declension is it?

The dictionary form is canis, canis (masculine or feminine; often masculine when it means dog). It’s a 3rd‑declension noun.

A few forms:

  • nominative: canis (dog)
  • accusative: canem (dog as object)
  • genitive: canis (of the dog)
Does canem have to mean “the dog”? Could it mean “a dog”?

Yes. Latin has no articles (the/a), so canem can be the dog or a dog depending on context. In many classroom translations, it’s given as the dog because the context often implies a specific dog.

What verb is laedere, and what conjugation is it?

Laedere is the present active infinitive of laedo, laedere, laesi, laesum = to hurt, injure, harm, offend. It’s a 3rd‑conjugation verb.

How would I say “Don’t hurt the dogs” (plural)?

Make both the command and the object plural:

  • Nolite canes laedere. Here nolite is the plural imperative, and canes is accusative plural.
Could Latin also say this with ne? What would that look like?

Yes, a common alternative is ne + present subjunctive:

  • Ne canem laedas. = Don’t hurt the dog. This is more “straight negative command” in form, while noli + infinitive is idiomatic and very common.
What is the word order doing here—could it be rearranged?

Latin word order is flexible because endings show grammatical roles. Noli canem laedere is a normal, clear order (command + object + verb). You could also see:

  • Noli laedere canem. Both mean the same thing; changing order can shift emphasis slightly (often the final position gets emphasis).
Is noli only used for commands?

In this pattern, yes: noli/nolite + infinitive is used to give a negative imperative. Outside this pattern, forms of nolo behave as a normal verb meaning to not want (e.g., nolo id = I don’t want that).

How do you pronounce Noli canem laedere?

In a common classroom/Classical-style pronunciation:

  • Noli: NOH-lee
  • canem: KAH-nem
  • laedere: often taught as LIE-deh-reh (with ae as a diphthong)

(Exact pronunciation can vary depending on whether you’re using Classical or Ecclesiastical conventions.)

Does laedere here imply physical harm only?
Not necessarily. Laedere can mean to injure physically, but it can also mean to harm more generally (damage, hurt someone’s feelings, offend). Context tells you which sense is intended.