Questions & Answers about Avia nepoti osculum dat.
What job does each word have in the sentence?
- avia = the subject: the person doing the action
- nepoti = the indirect object: the person receiving something
- osculum = the direct object: the thing being given
- dat = the verb: gives
So the structure is:
subject + indirect object + direct object + verb
Why is nepoti used instead of a form meaning to the grandson with a separate word for to?
Because Latin often uses the dative case instead of a separate word like to.
- nepos = grandson
- nepoti = to/for the grandson
In this sentence, nepoti is dative singular, showing the recipient of the kiss.
English says:
- gives a kiss to the grandson
Latin can simply say:
- nepoti = to the grandson
without needing an extra word.
Why is osculum in this form?
Osculum is the direct object, so it is in the accusative case.
A few useful details: