Log inSign up

Discipulus in bibliotheca librum veterem legere cupit.

Discipulus in bibliotheca librum veterem legere cupit.
The student wants to read an old book in the library.
FromLesson 12inHardcore Latin

Breakdown of Discipulus in bibliotheca librum veterem legere cupit.

in
in
legere
to read
discipulus
the student
liber
the book
vetus
old
bibliotheca
the library
cupere
to desire
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 Discipulus in bibliotheca librum veterem legere cupit 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 Discipulus in bibliotheca librum veterem legere cupit.

Why is discipulus the first word—does Latin always put the subject first?
Not always. Latin word order is flexible because endings show grammatical roles. Discipulus is nominative singular (subject), so it can appear elsewhere too (e.g., in bibliotheca discipulus librum veterem legere cupit). Putting discipulus first is a common, neutral way to start the sentence.
How do I know discipulus is the subject?
Because discipulus is nominative singular (the typical case for the subject). The verb cupit is 3rd person singular, so it agrees with a singular subject like discipulus.
Why is it in bibliotheca and not in bibliothecam?

With in, Latin chooses case based on meaning:

  • in + ablative = location (in bibliothecā = in the library, where something happens)
  • in + accusative = motion toward (in bibliothecam = into the library) Here the student is already in the library, so bibliothecā is ablative.
What case is bibliotheca, and what does the -ā ending tell me?
Bibliothecā is ablative singular of a 1st-declension noun (bibliotheca, -ae). The long -ā ending is a common marker of 1st-declension ablative singular.
Why is librum in the accusative?
Because librum is the direct object of legere (the thing being read). Liber (book) is 2nd declension; its accusative singular ends in -um, giving librum.
Why does veterem end in -em, and how does it relate to librum?

Veterem is an adjective agreeing with librum in case, number, and gender:

  • librum = masculine accusative singular
  • veterem = masculine/feminine accusative singular (3rd-declension adjective) So librum veterem means an old book / the old book as one unit.
Why is it legere instead of legit?

Because cupit (wants/desires) commonly takes an infinitive to express what someone wants to do:

  • cupit legere = he wants to read So legere is the present active infinitive of legō.
Does legere cupit mean something different from cupit legere?
The basic meaning is the same. Latin often places an infinitive before the main verb, especially in more literary style. Word order can add emphasis: putting legere earlier can highlight the action (to read is what he wants).
What tense is cupit, and how would I make the sentence past tense?

Cupit is present tense: he wants. To make it past:

  • cupivit (perfect) = he wanted / he has wanted
  • cupiebat (imperfect) = he was wanting / used to want You would keep the infinitive legere the same:
    Discipulus in bibliotheca librum veterem legere cupivit/cupiebat.
Why isn’t there a word for the or a in the Latin?
Classical Latin has no articles like English the/a. Whether librum veterem means an old book or the old book is decided by context (and sometimes word order or additional words, if needed).
What dictionary forms should I learn for the key words here?

Common dictionary entries (lemmas) would be:

  • discipulus, -ī (m.) = student/pupil
  • bibliotheca, -ae (f.) = library
  • liber, librī (m.) = book
  • vetus, veteris = old (3rd-declension adjective)
  • legō, legere, lēgī, lectum = read
  • cupiō, cupere, cupīvī (cupiī), cupītum = desire/want