Hac hieme nix in tecto manet, et servi ianuam saepe claudunt.

Because hac hieme is in the ablative case, and Latin often uses the ablative to show time when.

• haec hiems = this winter as a subject
• hac hieme = in this winter / this winter as a time expression

So hac hieme means this winter in the sense of during this winter.

Both words are ablative singular:

• hac = ablative singular feminine of hic, haec, hoc
• hieme = ablative singular of hiems

Nix is nominative singular because it is the subject of manet.

In other words, nix is the thing that remains / stays.

• nix = snow
• manet = remains, stays

So nix manet = the snow remains.

Because in can take either the ablative or the accusative, depending on the meaning.

• in + ablative = in / on a place, with no motion
• in + accusative = into / onto a place, showing motion toward it

Here, the snow is not moving onto the roof; it is already there. So Latin uses the ablative:

• in tecto = on the roof or in the roof, depending on context

Since tectum often means roof, in tecto here is naturally understood as on the roof.

Tecto is ablative singular of tectum, -i, a neuter second-declension noun.

Its basic forms are:

• nominative singular: tectum
• genitive singular: tecti
• ablative singular: tecto

It is ablative here because it follows in in a location expression: in tecto.

Manet is the third person singular present active indicative of maneo, manere, meaning remain, stay, or continue to be.

Because the subject is singular (nix), the verb is singular:

• nix manet = the snow remains / stays

A learner might translate it as lies in natural English, but the Latin verb itself means more literally remains or stays.

Because servi is the subject of claudunt, and the verb is plural.

• servus = slave, servant
• servi = slaves, servants

Since claudunt means they close, the subject must be plural: servi.

So:

• servi claudunt = the slaves/servants close

Because ianuam is the direct object of claudunt.

The verb claudo, claudere means to close, and the thing being closed takes the accusative case.

• nominative: ianua = door
• accusative: ianuam = door, as the object

So:

• servi ianuam claudunt = the servants close the door

A learner may wonder this because both can relate to a door or doorway.

• ianua usually means a door, especially the door of a house or entrance
• ostium often means doorway, entrance, or opening

Here, ianuam is very natural because the sentence refers to people closing the door.

Latin word order is much more flexible than English word order. Saepe means often, and it can appear in different positions for style or emphasis.

Here:

• servi ianuam saepe claudunt

puts saepe close to the verb, which is very natural.

Other orders could also be possible, such as:

• servi saepe ianuam claudunt
• saepe servi ianuam claudunt

The meaning would stay basically the same, though emphasis may shift slightly.

It can definitely mean something habitual.

Both verbs are present tense:

• manet = remains
• claudunt = close

But in a sentence like this, the present often describes what generally happens or what is characteristic during this time.

So servi ianuam saepe claudunt means not just they are closing the door right now, but more naturally they often close the door.

Latin has no articles like English the or a/an.

So a noun like nix can mean:

• snow
• the snow

and ianuam can mean:

• a door
• the door

You decide from context which English article sounds best. In this sentence, English naturally uses the snow and the door.

Yes, to a large extent.

Because Latin uses case endings to show grammatical roles, it does not rely on word order as strongly as English does.

For example, these would still be understandable:

• Hac hieme manet nix in tecto, et servi ianuam saepe claudunt.
• Servi saepe ianuam claudunt, et hac hieme nix in tecto manet.
• Ianuam servi saepe claudunt.

The endings tell you who is doing what:

• nix = subject
• servi = subject
• ianuam = object
• tecto = ablative after in

So word order can change for emphasis, rhythm, or style.

Et means and. It is a very common coordinating conjunction.

Here it joins two complete clauses:

1. Hac hieme nix in tecto manet
2. servi ianuam saepe claudunt

So et connects:

• one statement about the snow
• another statement about the servants

Adjectives and demonstratives in Latin agree with the nouns they modify in:

• gender
• number
• case

Since hieme is feminine singular ablative, hac must also be feminine singular ablative.

That is why Latin uses:

• hac hieme

not some other form like hic hieme or haec hieme.

Grammatically, servi is simply the plural of servus. Depending on context, it can be translated as:

• slaves
• servants

In many beginner Latin sentences, servi is often translated slaves because that is the most direct historical meaning in Roman context. But some teaching materials may choose servants if they want smoother English or a less harsh tone.

So the grammar does not change; only the English choice does.