Puer prope fenestram stat, ut pluviam spectare possit.

Puer is nominative singular. It is the subject of stat.

A learner can recognize this in two ways:

• puer is the nominative form of the noun meaning boy
• stat means he stands / is standing, so it needs a singular subject

So puer stat = the boy stands.

Because prope is a Latin preposition that normally takes the accusative.

So:

• prope fenestram = near the window
• fenestram is accusative singular of fenestra

This is just something Latin does differently from English. English uses near without showing case, but Latin marks the noun after prope with the accusative.

Prope means near, close to, or by.

In this sentence, prope fenestram tells us where the boy is standing: he is standing near the window.

It can sometimes also be used as an adverb, but here it is clearly a preposition because it has an object: fenestram.

Pluviam is the direct object of spectare.

• spectare = to watch / look at
• what is he watching? the rain
• therefore pluviam is in the accusative

So:

• pluvia = nominative
• pluviam = accusative

Here it means rain in a general sense.

Latin often uses singular nouns for things that English also treats as a mass noun. So pluviam spectare is a normal way to say watch the rain.

It does not mean one individual rainstorm in any awkward way. It is simply the natural Latin expression here.

Because spectare is an infinitive, and it depends on possit.

The structure is:

• possit = may be able / can
• spectare = to watch

So together:

• spectare possit = may be able to watch

Latin often uses an infinitive after verbs of being able, wanting, beginning, and so on. This is very similar to English to watch after be able.

Ut introduces a purpose clause.

Here it means something like:

• so that
• in order that

So:

• Puer prope fenestram stat = the boy stands near the window
• ut pluviam spectare possit = so that he can watch the rain

A very natural English translation might simply use to:

• The boy stands near the window to watch the rain

But Latin often expresses that idea with ut + a subjunctive verb.

Because after ut in a purpose clause, Latin normally uses the subjunctive.

• potest = indicative, he is able / he can
• possit = present subjunctive, he may be able / he can in a purpose clause

So ut ... possit is the normal grammar for in order that he may be able to ...

This is one of the most important beginner patterns in Latin:

• ut
  • subjunctive = often expresses purpose

Yes. The subject is still the boy.

Latin does not need to repeat the subject if it is already clear. So the sentence means:

• The boy stands near the window so that he may be able to watch the rain

The understood subject of both possit and spectare is the same puer.

Yes, Latin word order is much more flexible than English word order.

This sentence is arranged quite naturally:

• Puer — subject first
• prope fenestram — location
• stat — main verb
• ut ... possit — purpose clause after the main clause

But Latin could rearrange parts of the sentence for emphasis without changing the basic meaning. For example, a different order could emphasize the purpose or the location more strongly.

So the order here is normal and clear, but not the only possible order.

Because stat is more specific.

• est = is
• stat = stands

So stat tells us the boy is physically standing near the window, not just existing or being located there. Latin often prefers a more vivid verb when one is available.

That makes the picture clearer: the boy is standing there by the window in order to watch the rain.