2. Review There are three genders of nouns in Latin. You have already seen two of them, masculine and feminine, and in this chapter, we will take a look at the third gender, the neuter. Keep in mind that you must memorize the gender from the vocabulary. Inanimate objects are not always neuter in Latin.
3. Two Rules for Neuter Nouns These rules are for ALL neuter nouns, no matter what declension they are in. Nominative and Accusative will look alike. Nominative and Accusative plural will end in –a.
4. Other Endings All other endings are the same as the masculine endings you have already learned.
5. Second Declension Neuter Look at the following chart of endings for a 2nd Declension, neuter word: Notice how many neuter endings look just like the masculine ones.
6. Example Here’s an example of a second declension, neuter word declined. First find the base of the noun- donum, doni, n. Then add the endings:
7. Other 2nd Declension, Neuter Words Here are some other 2nd Declension, neuter words from your reading: arma, armorum, n. weapons * bellum, belli, n. war castra, castrorum, n. camp* consilium, consili, n. plan, advice forum, fori, n. forum templum, templi, n. temple
8. Plural Neuters *NOTICE that CASTRA and ARMA are always plural. Since the –a is the nominative, neuter, plural ending for 2nd declension, that is the nominative form that you see in the dictionary entry.
9. Third Declension Neuter Look at the following chart of endings for a 3rd Declension, neuterword: Notice that the nominative, singular is unpredictable in the 3rd Declension. The accusative will always look like the nominative when the word is neuter.
10. Example Here’s an example of a third declension, neuter word declined. First find the base of the noun- corpus, corporis, n. Then add the endings:
11. Other 3rd Declension, Neuter Words Some of the 3rd declension neuter nouns in your readings are: carmen, carminis., n. song, poem corpus, corporis, n. body iter, itineris, n. journey mare, maris, n. sea opus, operis, n. work, labor, a literary work
12. Recap Always remember the two rules for neuter nouns. They will work no matter what the declension. Nominative and Accusative will look alike. Nominative and Accusative plural will end in –a.
