Questions & Answers about Equus fortior est quam asinus.
What does each word in Equus fortior est quam asinus do grammatically?
- equus = horse; a noun in the nominative singular
- fortior = stronger; a comparative adjective in the nominative singular, describing equus
- est = is; the 3rd person singular present of sum
- quam = than; it introduces the second part of the comparison
- asinus = donkey/ass; a noun in the nominative singular
So the structure is basically Horse stronger is than donkey = The horse is stronger than the donkey / A horse is stronger than a donkey.
Why does fortior mean stronger?
Fortior is the comparative form of fortis, which means strong or brave.
Latin usually forms the comparative adjective by adding:
- -ior for masculine/feminine
- -ius for neuter
So:
- fortis = strong
- fortior = stronger
- fortius = stronger (neuter form)
Because equus is masculine singular, the sentence uses fortior.