Questions & Answers about In mensa ampulla aquae et vas parvum stant.
Why is mensa in the form mensa, not mensam?
Because in mensa shows location: on/in the table.
After in, Latin usually works like this:
- in + ablative = in/on somewhere, with no movement
- in + accusative = into/onto somewhere, with movement
Here nothing is moving. The bottle and the small vase are already there, so Latin uses the ablative: in mensa.
Why does in mensa mean on the table instead of in the table?
Because Latin in with the ablative can cover both English in and on, depending on the noun and the situation.
With mensa (table), natural English usually says on the table, even though Latin says in mensa. So this is a normal difference between the languages, not a mistake.
Why is it ampulla aquae and not ampulla aqua?
Because aquae is genitive singular, meaning of water.
So:
- ampulla = bottle
- aquae = of water