sunt
[ˈsʊnt]
The English phrase 'are' is translated as sunt in Latin.
sunt is a form of the verb esse, which means 'to be'. It is used to mean 'they are' when referring to a specific subject, and it is also used to mean 'there are' to indicate existence.
How does it change in a sentence?
sunt is the third-person plural form of the verb in the present indicative active. The full conjugation of the verb 'to be' includes the forms sum, es, est, sumus, estis and sunt.
Did you know?
- The root of sunt is related to the word 'stare', meaning 'to stand', implying that to 'be' is essentially to 'stand' in a certain place or state.
- In many legal or formal Latin inscriptions, the word sunt might be omitted entirely if the context makes the existence of the subjects clear.
- In many Latin sentences, the word sunt might appear at the very end of the sentence rather than in the middle, as word order is much more flexible than in English.
Examples in context
- Sunt silvae in prōvinciā.There are forests in the province.This sentence is useful for practicing the 'there are' usage of sunt.
- Mārcus et Lūcius sunt nautae.Marcus and Lucius are sailors.This sentence demonstrates how to use sunt to say 'they are'.
- Hi libri mei sunt.These are my books.This sentence shows sunt used to identify the ownership of books.Tatoeba #2599509 by alexmarcelo, translation #55021 by CK
- Ubi sunt amici?Where are the friends?
- Veritatis fundamenta sunt rationes.The foundations of truth are reasons.
- Puellae pulchrae sunt.The girls are beautiful.
- Ubi estis?Where are you?
- Nunc vos omnes adiuvatis.Now you all are helping.
- 977 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Marcus and Julia are looking at some paintings in a gallery.
- MarcusHae picturae pulchrae sunt.These paintings are beautiful.
- JuliaIta, et colores vividi sunt.Yes, and the colors are vivid.
- MarcusUbi sunt picturae antiquae?Where are the ancient paintings?
- JuliaIllae in altero conclavi sunt.Those are in the other room.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sunt, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
