Roma est magna (Rome Is Big)
The adjective after to be matches the subject.
How It Works
| Subject | Latin | English |
|---|---|---|
| Roma (feminine) | Roma est magna. | Rome is big. |
| Marcus (masculine) | Marcus est laetus. | Marcus is happy. |
| donum (neuter) | Donum est magnum. | The gift is big. |
| puellae (feminine plural) | Puellae sunt laetae. | The girls are happy. |
When the subject is a boy and a girl together, Latin uses the masculine plural: Marcus et Iulia sunt laeti.
The adjective can stand before or after the verb, and it is the same adjective in both places.
Match the gender of the Latin noun, which a dictionary shows: Roma and puella are feminine, donum is neuter.
Examples (5)
- Roma est magna.
Rome is big.
Magna is feminine singular and agrees with Roma.
- Marcus est laetus.
Marcus is happy.
Laetus is masculine singular and agrees with Marcus.
- Puellae sunt laetae.
The girls are happy.
Laetae is feminine plural and agrees with puellae.
- Marcus et Iulia sunt laeti.
Marcus and Iulia are happy.
A mixed pair takes the masculine plural laeti.
- Maria est sancta.
Mary is holy.
Sancta is feminine and agrees with Maria.
Common Mistakes
Using the masculine form for a feminine subject.
Iulia est laetus.Iulia est laeta.Iulia is feminine, so the adjective needs the feminine form laeta.
How It Connects
Learn This First
An adjective after est agrees with the subject, so the adjective forms and est with a noun come first.
Related Patterns
Practice Roma est magna (Rome Is Big) in Bubblegum
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