In arena frigida sedere nolo, sed in umbra prope litus libenter maneo.

Because after nolo (I do not want), Latin normally uses an infinitive to express what someone does not want to do.

• nolo sedere = I do not want to sit
• not nolo sedeo

This works like English I do not want to sit, where to sit is also an infinitive.

So in this sentence:

• sedere nolo = I do not want to sit

Latin often places the infinitive before the main verb, so sedere nolo is perfectly normal.

Nolo is the standard contracted form of non volo and means I do not want.

Historically:

• non volo = I do not want
• contracted into nolo

In normal Latin, nolo is the usual form you will see. It is not a different meaning; it is just the regular way Latin expresses this idea.

So:

• nolo sedere = I do not want to sit

You should learn nolo as its own common verb form.

They are in the ablative because they follow in expressing location.

When in means in, on, or at in the sense of position, it takes the ablative:

• in arena frigida = on/in the cold sand
• in umbra = in the shade

This is different from in meaning motion into something, which takes the accusative:

• in umbram = into the shade

Here there is no movement into a place; the sentence describes where the speaker does or does not want to be. So the ablative is used.

Because frigida has to agree with arena.

Arena is:

• feminine
• singular
• ablative here because of in

So the adjective describing it must also be:

• feminine
• singular
• ablative

That gives:

• arena frigida = on/in the cold sand

This is a basic Latin rule: adjectives agree with the nouns they describe in gender, number, and case.

Because prope is a different preposition, and it takes the accusative.

So:

• prope litus = near the shore / beach

Even though the meaning in English is about location, Latin case depends on the preposition being used, not just the general idea.

Here:

• in
  • ablative for location
• prope
  • accusative for near

A useful extra point: litus is a neuter noun, and its nominative and accusative singular look the same, so litus here is accusative even though the form is unchanged.

Libenter is an adverb meaning gladly, willingly, or with pleasure.

It modifies maneo:

• libenter maneo = I gladly stay / I like to stay

It tells you the speaker’s attitude toward staying in the shade. The contrast is:

• sedere nolo = I do not want to sit
• libenter maneo = I gladly stay

So the sentence is not only about location, but also about preference.

Because maneo means I stay, I remain, or I linger, which is more specific than sum (I am).

Compare:

• in umbra sum = I am in the shade
• in umbra maneo = I stay/remain in the shade

The second suggests continuing there, not merely existing there. It fits the contrast with I do not want to sit on the cold sand.

Yes. Latin word order is more flexible than English word order because case endings show the grammar.

A few things to notice:

• In arena frigida comes first, setting the scene.
• sedere comes before nolo, which is a normal Latin pattern with infinitives.
• sed marks a strong contrast: but
• libenter is placed near maneo, the verb it modifies.

So the order feels natural and balanced:

• first idea: on the cold sand ... I do not want to sit
• second idea: but in the shade near the shore ... I gladly stay

Latin often uses word order for emphasis and rhythm rather than strict grammatical necessity.

Latin often repeats a preposition when there are two separate prepositional phrases, especially when the phrases are contrasted.

Here the repetition helps make the contrast very clear:

• in arena frigida
• sed in umbra

That repeated in is neat and emphatic: not in the cold sand, but in the shade.

Latin could sometimes avoid repetition in other contexts, but here repeating in sounds clear and natural.

Litus usually means shore, seashore, or coast. In this sentence, English might translate it as:

• shore
• beach
• seaside

depending on the context already given.

A learner should mainly notice the grammar here:

• prope litus = near the shore

The exact English choice may vary, but the Latin structure stays the same.

It is built into the verb endings.

• nolo = I do not want
• maneo = I stay / remain

Latin often leaves out pronouns like ego when they are not needed, because the verb already tells you the person and number.

So the sentence does not need ego to mean I. If ego were added, it would usually give extra emphasis:

• ego nolo ... ego maneo = I do not want ... I stay

But in an ordinary sentence, the pronoun is usually omitted.