quis
[ˈkʷɪs]feminine, masculine
The English word "who" is translated into Latin as quis.
quis is an interrogative pronoun.
Meaning: who? (interrogative pronoun) (pron)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes based on its grammatical role in a sentence. Use the nominative singular quis when "who" is the subject of the sentence. If "who" is the direct object of a verb, use the accusative singular quem (whom). Use the genitive singular cuius to say "whose". Finally, use the dative singular cui when "who" is the indirect object, such as in the phrase "to whom".
Did you know?
- The word quis can be used as an indefinite pronoun meaning 'anyone' or 'someone' instead of a question. In this sense, it transforms a question like 'who is it?' into a statement like 'anyone can do it'.
- The Latin word quis is a distant relative of the English word 'which', as both stem from the same ancient Proto-Indo-European root.
- The Latin phrase quis custodiet ipsos custodes, meaning 'who will guard the guards themselves', is a famous political warning from the poet Juvenal.
Examples in context
- Quis custōdiet ipsōs custōdēs?Who will watch the watchmen themselves?This sentence shows how to use quis as a subject.
- At quis tu es?But who are you?This sentence shows how to use quis in a question about identity.Tatoeba #11079888 by soridsolid, translation #11009437 by tjwhale
- Quis tu homo es?Who are you?This sentence shows how to use quis to ask about a person.Tatoeba #11079884 by soridsolid, translation #356200 by yorickvidal
- Quis advenit?Who is coming?
- Homo qui hic stat.The man who is standing here.
- Feminae quae adveniunt.The women who are coming.
- Cum quo ambulas?With whom are you walking?
- Quisnam iste est?Who on earth is that?
- 368 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucia and Lucius meet for the first time at a market.
- LuciaSalve! Quis es?Hello! Who are you?
- LuciusSalve. Lucius sum.Hello. I am Lucius.
- LuciaQuis est is vir?Who is that man?
- LuciusIlle est amicus meus.He is my friend.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “who” translations and entries quis, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries quis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
