deus (God, Gods)

Deus, Dei

Level 3

In the singular deus follows amicus, and in the plural it has di and dis.

How It Works

CaseSingularPlural
nominativedeusdi
genitivedeideorum
dativedeodis
accusativedeumdeos
ablativedeodis
vocativedeusdi

The plural nominative is also written dii or dei, and the dative and ablative plural are also written diis or deis.

The vocative is the same as the nominative: Deus meus (my God). A rare vocative dee exists, but prayers use Deus.

Church Latin gives many set phrases with Deus: Deus meus (my God), Dei Filius (the Son of God), Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) and Deo gratias (thanks to God).

Examples (5)

  1. Deus bonus est.

    God is good.

    Deus is the nominative singular.

  2. Gratias Deo ago.

    I give thanks to God.

    Deo is the dative singular: God receives the thanks.

  3. Iesus est Filius Dei.

    Jesus is the Son of God.

    Dei is the genitive singular.

  4. Romani multos deos colunt.

    The Romans worship many gods.

    Deos is the accusative plural.

  5. Templum deorum magnum est.

    The temple of the gods is big.

    Deorum is the genitive plural.

Common Mistakes

  • Leaving Deus in the nominative when it is the object.

    Pueri Deus laudant.
    Pueri Deum laudant.

    Deus is the form of a subject. What the boys praise is the object, so it needs the accusative: Deum.

  • Using the genitive for the one who receives thanks.

    Gratias Dei ago.
    Gratias Deo ago.

    Dei means of God, so this sentence says that I give the thanks of God. The intended meaning was: I give thanks to God, which needs the dative Deo.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

deus (God, Gods)Level 3Deus, Dei

Learn This First

Deus has an unusual vocative and plural.

Words in This Pattern

deusDeus