Genitivus

Genitive Case in Latin

What is the Genitive?

The genitive case in Latin primarily shows possession, similar to the English "of" or the possessive "'s". For example, "liber pueri" means "the book of the boy" or "the boy's book".

Forms and Endings

The genitive endings vary depending on the declension of the noun. Here’s a quick overview for singular genitive endings:

Usage

Besides possession, the genitive can express other relationships like partitive ("some of the people"), description ("a man of courage"), and measure ("a man of great strength").

Cultural Note

Latin inscriptions and texts often use the genitive to indicate ownership or dedication, such as on monuments or in legal documents. Understanding the genitive is key to reading and interpreting Latin literature and historical texts.

Examples

• "amicus pueri" – the friend of the boy
• "templum deorum" – the temple of the gods
• "pars urbis" – part of the city

Let's practice recognizing and using the genitive case with some simple sentences!