Breakdown of Haec res parva videtur, sed magnam partem diei capit.
magnus
large
parvus
small
sed
but
dies
the day
Questions & Answers about Haec res parva videtur, sed magnam partem diei capit.
Why is it haec res?
Because res is a feminine singular noun in the nominative case, and haec is the matching feminine singular form of hic, haec, hoc (this).
So:
- haec = this (feminine nominative singular)
- res = thing, matter, affair (feminine nominative singular)
They must agree in gender, number, and case.
That is why Latin says haec res for this thing.
What case is res, and why?
Res is nominative singular because it is the subject of the sentence.
The sentence is about this thing:
- Haec res parva videtur = This thing seems small
So res is the thing doing the “seeming,” and subjects go in the nominative.
Why is parva in that form?
Parva is an adjective meaning small, and it agrees with res.
Since res is:
- feminine
- singular
- nominative
the adjective must also be:
- feminine