Bigae evertuntur; spectator delphinum et victorem spectat.

and

Breakdown of Bigae evertuntur; spectator delphinum et victorem spectat.

• spectare: to watch
• bigae: the two-horse chariot; pair of horses
• spectator: the onlooker at a public event

Questions & Answers about Bigae evertuntur; spectator delphinum et victorem spectat.

Why are there no words for the or a/an in this Latin sentence?

Latin does not have articles. There is no separate word for the or a/an.

So in a sentence like Bigae evertuntur; spectator delphinum et victorem spectat, English has to add articles when translating:

• the chariots
• the spectator
• the dolphin
• the winner

Which article you use depends on context, not on a Latin word.

How do we know bigae is the subject of the first clause?

Bigae is in the nominative plural, which is the case normally used for the subject.

You can also tell from agreement:

• bigae = plural
• evertuntur = they are overturned, also plural

So bigae is the thing being talked about in the first clause.

What form is evertuntur?

Evertuntur is:

• present
• passive
• indicative
• third person plural

It comes from everto.

The ending -ntur is a very important clue: it shows third person plural passive.