AQU: Lesson - Noun Review - Declension
Noun Review - Declension
Let's take a moment to review noun declensions, as we are getting ready to add a new case in this module.
Remember that the word declension refers to a category of nouns. Every noun is put into one of five categories (we are only learning the first three in Latin I!). So, how can we tell what declension a noun belongs to? We must look at the dictionary entry to find out. When a noun is listed in the dictionary, the second word provided will always be the genitive form of the noun. The genitive ending is essential to determining the declension of a noun. To know what declension a noun belongs to, look at the genitive form! Review the examples below.
| Declension | Latin Noun | Genitive Singular Ending | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Declension | aqua, aquae, f. | -ae | water |
| 2nd Declension | rivus, rivi, m. | -i | river |
| 3rd Declension | pons, pontis, m. | -is | bridge |