In hac domo de valetudine saepe disputatur, sed sine metu.

Hac is the feminine singular ablative form of hic, haec, hoc (this).

It matches domo, which is also feminine singular ablative. After in meaning in/on with a fixed location, Latin normally uses the ablative. So:

• in hac domo = in this house

If in showed motion into something, Latin would usually use the accusative instead.

Because it depends on in expressing location rather than motion.

Latin makes this distinction:

• in + ablative = in / inside / within a place
• in + accusative = into / onto a place

So:

• in hac domo = in this house
• compare in hanc domum = into this house

De here means about or concerning.

The phrase de valetudine disputare means to discuss health or more literally to discuss about health. In idiomatic English we usually drop about in this kind of sentence, but Latin commonly uses de + ablative after verbs of speaking, discussing, thinking, and writing.

So:

• de valetudine = about health

Valetudine is ablative singular of valetudo, valetudinis.

It is ablative because the preposition de takes the ablative. Many Latin prepositions regularly govern one case, and de is one of the common ones that uses the ablative.

Usually, yes: valetudo means health, state of health, or physical condition.

Depending on context, it can refer to:

• good health
• poor health
• health in general
• someone’s bodily condition

So de valetudine can mean about health, about one’s health, or about physical condition, depending on context.

Because this is an example of the impersonal passive.

Disputatur is literally it is discussed or it is being discussed, but in Latin this structure is often used where English prefers:

• people discuss
• they discuss
• there is discussion
• discussion takes place

So in this sentence, disputatur does not point to a specific person doing the action. It means that discussion happens.

Because impersonal passive verbs in Latin often do not have an ordinary personal subject.

With an intransitive or broadly impersonal idea like disputatur, Latin can simply state that the action occurs:

• disputatur = there is discussion / people are discussing

English usually wants some kind of subject, even a dummy one like there or it, but Latin does not need that here.

Saepe means often, and it modifies the verbal idea disputatur.

Latin word order is flexible, so saepe can often appear in different places without changing the basic meaning. Here it sits between de valetudine and disputatur, which is perfectly natural:

• In hac domo de valetudine saepe disputatur
• In hac domo saepe de valetudine disputatur

Both are acceptable, though the emphasis may shift slightly depending on placement.

Because sine is a preposition that takes the ablative.

So:

• sine = without
• metu = ablative singular of metus (fear)

Together:

• sine metu = without fear

Because metus is a fourth-declension noun.

Its forms include:

• nominative singular: metus
• accusative singular: metum
• ablative singular: metu

Since sine requires the ablative, Latin uses metu.

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

Whether something is definite or indefinite is understood from context. So:

• in hac domo clearly means in this house
• de valetudine could mean about health or about the health
• sine metu means without fear

Latin speakers did not need separate article words to express these ideas.

Sed means but.

It connects the two ideas:

• discussion about health happens often in this house
• but it happens without fear

So sed sine metu adds a contrast: the topic may be serious, but the discussion is not fearful or anxious.

The word order is meaningful, but not rigid in the way English word order is.

This sentence begins with In hac domo, which sets the scene first: in this house. Then it gives the topic de valetudine, then the frequency saepe, then the verb disputatur, and finally the contrasting phrase sed sine metu.

A Latin writer can move many of these parts around for emphasis, but this version is natural and clear. The ending sine metu gives that final idea special prominence.