puer sum
[ˈpu.ɛr ˈsũː]word by word
The English phrase 'I am a boy' is translated into Latin as puer sum.
This phrase is used by a male child to identify himself.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to 'boy I am'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb sum is the first-person singular present indicative of the verb esse (to be). The word puer is a masculine singular noun in the nominative case. In Latin, the subject pronoun 'ego' (I) is often omitted from the sentence because the verb ending -sum already indicates that the subject is 'I'.
Did you know?
- In Roman culture, a puer would eventually undergo a rite of passage where he would set aside his childhood clothes for a 'toga virilis'.
- The word sum is actually a combination of two different Proto-Indo-European roots meaning 'be' and 'become'.
- The Latin concept of being a puer can refer to a child regardless of age, as Latin often used the term for any male youth before adulthood.
Examples in context
- Puer sum.I am a boy.Tatoeba #1110722 by alexmarcelo, translation #453328 by saasmath
- Puer sum, non puella.I am a boy, not a girl.
- Certus sum, puer sum.I am certain, I am a boy.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Quintus is introducing himself to Aurelia.
- QuintusSalve! Ego puer sum.Hello! I am a boy.
- AureliaSalve, Quinte!Hello, Quintus!
- QuintusBonus puer sum.I am a good boy.
- AureliaIta est.That is true.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (puer, sum) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries puer, sum, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
