The Latin adjective māgnus -a -um means "great, large, big, important." This is one of the most fundamental adjectives in Latin, appearing frequently in both literary texts and everyday conversation. As a 1st/2nd declension adjective, it follows the standard pattern of bonus -a -um, with masculine forms following the 2nd declension, feminine forms following the 1st declension, and neuter forms following the 2nd declension neuter pattern.
Q: What does māgnus mean in Latin? A: Māgnus means "great, large, big, or important" in Latin. It's a regular 1st/2nd declension adjective that agrees with the noun it modifies in case, number, and gender.
In this lesson, māgnus will appear in various conversational contexts, demonstrating its flexibility in describing physical size, importance, emotional states, and abstract concepts. You'll see it used with different cases, genders, and numbers, helping you understand how Latin adjectives work in natural dialogue.
Subject: Latin Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Focus: Conversational Latin with māgnus -a -um Type: Self-study reading lesson for English speakers
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Māgnus is a regular 1st/2nd declension adjective meaning "great" -
It must agree with its noun in case, number, and gender -
Common in both physical descriptions and abstract concepts -
Frequently appears in idiomatic expressions -
Essential for conversational Latin proficiency
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25.1 Quid What dē about māgnā great urbe city Rōmā Rome scīs do you know?
25.2 Māgnum Great gaudium joy mihi to me est is tē you vidēre to see.
25.3 Habēsne Do you have māgnum a great canem dog domī at home?
25.4 Certē Certainly sed but nōn not tam so māgnus great est is quam as tuus yours.
25.5 Māgnō With great cum with studiō eagerness Latīnē in Latin loquī to speak discō I learn.
25.6 Māgna Great mē me cēpit seized cupīdō desire Italiam Italy vīsendī to see.
25.7 Quantī At what price māgnum great illud that vīnum wine ēmistī did you buy?
25.8 Māgnī Great quidem indeed sed but optimum best est it is!
25.9 Māgnae Great rēs matters hodiē today in in forō the forum aguntur are being done.
25.10 Audīvistīne Did you hear dē about māgnīs great mūtātiōnibus changes in in cīvitāte the state?
25.11 Māgnum Great opus work perfēcistī you have completed mī my amīce friend!
25.12 Grātiās Thanks tibī to you māgnās great agō I give prō for auxiliō aid tuō your.
25.13 Estne Is there māgna great differentia difference inter between hās these duās two sententiās sentences?
25.14 Māgnā In great ex from parte part tēcum with you cōnsentiō I agree sed but nōn not omnīnō entirely.
25.15 Māgnus Great numerus number hominum of people ad to spectāculum the show convēnit came together.
25.1 Quid dē māgnā urbe Rōmā scīs? What do you know about the great city of Rome?
25.2 Māgnum gaudium mihi est tē vidēre. It's a great joy for me to see you.
25.3 Habēsne māgnum canem domī? Do you have a big dog at home?
25.4 Certē, sed nōn tam māgnus est quam tuus. Certainly, but he's not as big as yours.
25.5 Māgnō cum studiō Latīnē loquī discō. I'm learning to speak Latin with great enthusiasm.
25.6 Māgna mē cēpit cupīdō Italiam vīsendī. A great desire to visit Italy has seized me.
25.7 Quantī māgnum illud vīnum ēmistī? How much did you pay for that large wine jar?
25.8 Māgnī quidem, sed optimum est! Quite a lot indeed, but it's excellent!
25.9 Māgnae rēs hodiē in forō aguntur. Important matters are being conducted in the forum today.
25.10 Audīvistīne dē māgnīs mūtātiōnibus in cīvitāte? Have you heard about the great changes in the state?
25.11 Māgnum opus perfēcistī, mī amīce! You've completed a great work, my friend!
25.12 Grātiās tibī māgnās agō prō auxiliō tuō. I give you great thanks for your help.
25.13 Estne māgna differentia inter hās duās sententiās? Is there a great difference between these two opinions?
25.14 Māgnā ex parte tēcum cōnsentiō, sed nōn omnīnō. I agree with you to a great extent, but not entirely.
25.15 Māgnus numerus hominum ad spectāculum convēnit. A great number of people gathered for the show.
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25.1 Quid dē māgnā urbe Rōmā scīs?
25.2 Māgnum gaudium mihi est tē vidēre.
25.3 Habēsne māgnum canem domī?
25.4 Certē, sed nōn tam māgnus est quam tuus.
25.5 Māgnō cum studiō Latīnē loquī discō.
25.6 Māgna mē cēpit cupīdō Italiam vīsendī.
25.7 Quantī māgnum illud vīnum ēmistī?
25.8 Māgnī quidem, sed optimum est!
25.9 Māgnae rēs hodiē in forō aguntur.
25.10 Audīvistīne dē māgnīs mūtātiōnibus in cīvitāte?
25.11 Māgnum opus perfēcistī, mī amīce!
25.12 Grātiās tibī māgnās agō prō auxiliō tuō.
25.13 Estne māgna differentia inter hās duās sententiās?
25.14 Māgnā ex parte tēcum cōnsentiō, sed nōn omnīnō.
25.15 Māgnus numerus hominum ad spectāculum convēnit.
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Declension Pattern: Māgnus follows the regular 1st/2nd declension adjective pattern:
Masculine (2nd declension): -
Nominative: māgnus -
Genitive: māgnī -
Dative: māgnō -
Accusative: māgnum -
Ablative: māgnō -
Vocative: māgne
Feminine (1st declension): -
Nominative: māgna -
Genitive: māgnae -
Dative: māgnae -
Accusative: māgnam -
Ablative: māgnā -
Vocative: māgna
Neuter (2nd declension neuter): -
Nominative: māgnum -
Genitive: māgnī -
Dative: māgnō -
Accusative: māgnum -
Ablative: māgnō -
Vocative: māgnum
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Agreement Errors: English speakers often forget that adjectives must agree with their nouns in case, number, AND gender. For example, "māgnum urbem" is wrong - it should be "māgnam urbem" (feminine accusative). -
Position Confusion: While Latin word order is flexible, beginners often place adjectives awkwardly. Remember that emphasis affects placement - important adjectives often come first or are separated from their nouns. -
Gender Assignment: Students frequently use masculine forms as default. Always check the gender of the noun: "māgnus cupīdō" is wrong because cupīdō is feminine. -
Idiomatic Uses: The genitive māgnī in price expressions (meaning "at a high price") confuses many learners who expect an ablative.
Unlike English, where "great" never changes form, Latin māgnus must change to match its noun. English says "great city," "great cities," "of the great city" using the same adjective form. Latin requires māgna urbs, māgnae urbēs, māgnae urbis.
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Identify the noun māgnus modifies -
Determine the noun's gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter) -
Identify the noun's case (nominative, genitive, etc.) -
Check if singular or plural -
Select the matching form of māgnus -
Place appropriately for emphasis or style
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Māgnī facere = to value highly (genitive of price) -
Māgnō opere = greatly, very much (ablative of manner) -
Māgnus with genitive = great in respect to something -
Comparative: maior, maius (greater) -
Superlative: maximus -a -um (greatest)
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For English speakers learning conversational Latin, understanding māgnus requires grasping Roman concepts of greatness. Romans used māgnus not just for physical size but for social importance, moral weight, and emotional intensity.
In Roman society, māgnus often implied respect and dignity. A "māgnus vir" wasn't just a tall man but a person of importance. "Māgnae rēs" meant significant political or social matters, not just big things. This cultural loading affects conversational use - calling someone's accomplishment "māgnum" conveys genuine respect.
The phrase "māgnō opere" (literally "with great work") became an intensifier meaning "greatly" or "very much," showing how physical metaphors evolved into conversational expressions. Similarly, "māgnī aestimāre" (to value at a great price) uses the genitive of price metaphorically for emotional or social value.
Romans distinguished between māgnus (objectively great) and grandis (impressive in size or manner). In conversation, māgnus suggests inherent importance while grandis might imply mere appearance. This distinction helps modern Latin speakers choose appropriate vocabulary for different contexts.
Common conversational phrases like "māgnās grātiās agō" (I give great thanks) show how māgnus intensifies social expressions. Understanding these patterns helps learners sound more natural and culturally appropriate in Latin conversation.
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From Erasmus, Colloquia Familiaria: "De Captandis Sacerdotiis"
25.16 Mercātor: Merchant Venīte, Come cīvēs! citizens Māgnās great mercēs goods hodiē today vēndō! I am selling
25.17 Ēmptor: Buyer Quam how māgnās great dīcis? do you say Ostende show mihi to me aliquid something pretiōsum. precious
25.18 Mercātor: Merchant Ecce behold māgnum great speculum mirror ex from Alexandrīā Alexandria allātum! brought
25.19 Ēmptor: Buyer Māgnum great quidem indeed est, it is sed but quantum how much petīs do you ask prō for eō? it
25.20 Mercātor: Merchant Nōn not māgnī! great Sōlum only centum one hundred dēnāriōs denarii petō. I ask
25.21 Ēmptrīx: Female buyer Centum? one hundred Māgna great pecūnia money est it is prō for speculō! a mirror
25.22 Mercātor: Merchant At but cōnsīderā consider māgnam great eius its pulchritūdinem beauty et and rāritātem! rarity
25.23 Senex: Old man Māgnā with a great vōce voice clāmās, you shout sed but mercēs goods tuae your parvae small sunt! are
25.24 Mercātor: Merchant Errās, you are wrong senex! old man Māgnō with great labōre effort hās these rēs things comparāvī. I have purchased
25.25 Iuvenis: Young man Habēsne do you have māgnōs great librōs books dē about philosophiā? philosophy
25.26 Mercātor: Merchant Certē! certainly Māgna great volūmina volumes Platōnis of Plato et and Aristotelis of Aristotle habeō. I have
25.27 Iuvenis: Young man Māgnī greatly mē me interest! it concerns Quantum how much prō for ūnō one petīs? do you ask
25.28 Mercātor: Merchant Prō for tē, you iuvenis young man studiōse, eager nōn not māgnō great pretiō at a price vēndam. I will sell
25.29 Mātrōna: Matron Māgnam great grātiam favor ā from tē you petō I ask - servā keep mihi for me illud that māgnum great vās! vessel
25.30 Mercātor: Merchant Māgnō with great cum with gaudiō joy servābō, I will keep domina! mistress Crās tomorrow revenī! come back
Pamphilus: Māgna rēs est sacerdōtium. Gaspar: Fateor, sed nōn māgnum omnibus. Quibusdam enim māgnum onus est, aliīs māgnus honor. Pamphilus: Vērum dīcis. Sed quī māgnō animō suscipere volunt, iī māgnam laudem merentur.
Pamphilus: The priesthood is a great thing. Gaspar: I admit it, but it's not great for everyone. For some it's indeed a great burden, for others a great honor. Pamphilus: You speak truly. But those who wish to undertake it with a great spirit deserve great praise.
This dialogue from Erasmus demonstrates the conversational use of māgnus in Renaissance Latin. Notice how the speakers play with different meanings of "great" - importance, burden, honor, and spiritual magnitude. The repetition of māgnus forms creates rhetorical emphasis while showing various grammatical constructions: nominative predicate (māgna rēs), accusative object (māgnum onus), and ablative of manner (māgnō animō).
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māgna rēs: feminine nominative singular, predicate nominative -
māgnum: neuter accusative, agreeing with implied "id" -
māgnum onus: neuter nominative, showing agreement -
māgnus honor: masculine nominative -
māgnō animō: ablative of manner (with great spirit) -
māgnam laudem: feminine accusative direct object
The passage shows typical conversational patterns: short exchanges, philosophical wordplay, and varied placement of māgnus for rhetorical effect.
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This passage depicts a marketplace scene where a merchant (mercātor) interacts with various customers, showcasing goods and negotiating prices. The word māgnus (great/large) appears repeatedly, creating a running theme about size and value.
- Venīte (come!) - 2nd person plural - Ostende (show!) - 2nd person singular - Ecce (behold!) - interjection - Servā (save!) - 2nd person singular - Revenī (return!) - 2nd person singular
- allātum (brought) - agrees with speculum - comparāvī (I obtained) - perfect indicative
- vēndam (I will sell) - future indicative, not subjunctive
| Latin | English | |-------|---------| | mercēs | goods, merchandise | | speculum | mirror | | petō | to ask (for), demand | | dēnārius | denarius (Roman coin) | | pecūnia | money | | pulchritūdō | beauty | | rāritās | rarity | | errō | to err, be mistaken | | volūmen | volume, book | | prex | price | | vās | vessel, container |
- Alexandria was famous for luxury goods - Denarii were common Roman currency - The matron (mātrōna) was a respectable married woman ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
25.16 Mercātor: Venīte, cīvēs! Māgnās mercēs hodiē vēndō! Merchant: Come, citizens! I'm selling great goods today!
25.17 Ēmptor: Quam māgnās dīcis? Ostende mihi aliquid pretiōsum. Buyer: How great do you say? Show me something valuable.
25.18 Mercātor: Ecce māgnum speculum ex Alexandrīā allātum! Merchant: Behold this large mirror brought from Alexandria!
25.19 Ēmptor: Māgnum quidem est, sed quantum petīs prō eō? Buyer: It is indeed large, but how much are you asking for it?
25.20 Mercātor: Nōn māgnī! Sōlum centum dēnāriōs petō. Merchant: Not for much! I'm only asking a hundred denarii.
25.21 Ēmptrīx: Centum? Māgna pecūnia est prō speculō! Female buyer: A hundred? That's a lot of money for a mirror!
25.22 Mercātor: At cōnsīderā māgnam eius pulchritūdinem et rāritātem! Merchant: But consider its great beauty and rarity!
25.23 Senex: Māgnā vōce clāmās, sed mercēs tuae parvae sunt! Old man: You shout with a loud voice, but your goods are small!
25.24 Mercātor: Errās, senex! Māgnō labōre hās rēs comparāvī. Merchant: You're wrong, old man! I obtained these things with great effort.
25.25 Iuvenis: Habēsne māgnōs librōs dē philosophiā? Young man: Do you have large books about philosophy?
25.26 Mercātor: Certē! Māgna volūmina Platōnis et Aristotelis habeō. Merchant: Certainly! I have great volumes of Plato and Aristotle.
25.27 Iuvenis: Māgnī mē interest! Quantum prō ūnō petīs? Young man: They interest me greatly! How much are you asking for one?
25.28 Mercātor: Prō tē, iuvenis studiōse, nōn māgnō pretiō vēndam. Merchant: For you, studious young man, I'll sell at no great price.
25.29 Mātrōna: Māgnam grātiam ā tē petō - servā mihi illud māgnum vās! Matron: I ask a great favor from you - save that large vessel for me!
25.30 Mercātor: Māgnō cum gaudiō servābō, domina! Crās revenī! Merchant: I'll save it with great joy, lady! Come back tomorrow!
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25.16 Mercātor: Venīte, cīvēs! Māgnās mercēs hodiē vēndō!
25.17 Ēmptor: Quam māgnās dīcis? Ostende mihi aliquid pretiōsum.
25.18 Mercātor: Ecce māgnum speculum ex Alexandrīā allātum!
25.19 Ēmptor: Māgnum quidem est, sed quantum petīs prō eō?
25.20 Mercātor: Nōn māgnī! Sōlum centum dēnāriōs petō.
25.21 Ēmptrīx: Centum? Māgna pecūnia est prō speculō!
25.22 Mercātor: At cōnsīderā māgnam eius pulchritūdinem et rāritātem!
25.23 Senex: Māgnā vōce clāmās, sed mercēs tuae parvae sunt!
25.24 Mercātor: Errās, senex! Māgnō labōre hās rēs comparāvī.
25.25 Iuvenis: Habēsne māgnōs librōs dē philosophiā?
25.26 Mercātor: Certē! Māgna volūmina Platōnis et Aristotelis habeō.
25.27 Iuvenis: Māgnī mē interest! Quantum prō ūnō petīs?
25.28 Mercātor: Prō tē, iuvenis studiōse, nōn māgnō pretiō vēndam.
25.29 Mātrōna: Māgnam grātiam ā tē petō - servā mihi illud māgnum vās!
25.30 Mercātor: Māgnō cum gaudiō servābō, domina! Crās revenī!
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This theatrical dialogue showcases māgnus in authentic conversational contexts:
1. Vocative Appeals: -
"cīvēs" (citizens) - merchant addressing crowd -
"senex" (old man) - direct address -
"domina" (lady) - polite address to matron
2. Commercial Language with māgnus: -
"nōn māgnī" (not for much) - genitive of price -
"māgnō pretiō" (at a great price) - ablative of price -
"māgnās mercēs" - advertising language
3. Idiomatic Expressions: -
"māgnī interest" (they greatly interest) - genitive with interest -
"māgnam grātiam petō" (I ask a great favor) - polite request formula -
"māgnō cum gaudiō" (with great joy) - ablative of manner
4. Question Patterns: -
"Quam māgnās?" (How great?) - interrogative with adjective -
"Quantum petīs?" (How much do you ask?) - price inquiries -
"Habēsne...?" (Do you have...?) - yes/no questions
5. Demonstrative Usage: -
"illud māgnum vās" (that large vessel) - demonstrative + adjective + noun -
"hās rēs" (these things) - near demonstrative
6. Character-Specific Speech: -
Merchant: promotional language, superlatives -
Buyers: skeptical questions, price negotiations -
Old man: critical commentary -
Young man: intellectual interests
7. Agreement Patterns Shown: -
māgnās mercēs (fem. acc. plural) -
māgnum speculum (neut. acc. sing.) -
māgnō labōre (masc. abl. sing.) -
māgna volūmina (neut. acc. plural)
This dialogue demonstrates how māgnus functions in rapid conversational exchange, commercial contexts, and social interactions typical of Roman market scenes.
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The Latinum Institute's Latin Reading Course represents a unique approach to Latin language acquisition, developed by Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), who has been creating innovative online language learning materials since 2006. These lessons follow the principles outlined at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk.
This course is specifically designed for autodidacts - self-directed learners who want to master Latin through extensive reading and contextual learning. Rather than focusing on abstract grammar rules, the method immerses students in authentic Latin texts with careful scaffolding that makes even complex passages accessible to beginners.
The lesson structure moves progressively from highly granular interleaved translations (Part A) through complete sentences (Part B), pure Latin text (Part C), detailed grammar explanations tailored for English speakers (Part D), cultural context (Part E), and authentic literary passages (Part F). The genre sections provide additional exposure to different registers and styles of Latin. 25.16 Mercātor: Merchant: Venīte come, cīvēs citizens! Māgnās great mercēs goods hodiē today vēndō I sell!
25.17 Ēmptor: Buyer: Quam how māgnās great dīcis do you say? Ostende show mihi to me aliquid something pretiōsum valuable.
25.18 Mercātor: Merchant: Ecce behold māgnum large speculumm mirror ex from Alexandrīā Alexandria allātum brought!
25.19 Ēmptor: Buyer: Māgnum large quidem indeed est it is, sed but quantum how much petīs do you ask prō for eō it?
25.20 Mercātor: Merchant: Nōn not māgnī for much! Sōlum only centum hundred dēnāriōs denarii petō I ask.
25.21 Ēmptrīx: Female buyer: Centum hundred? Māgna great pecūnia money est is prō for speculō mirror!
25.22 Mercātor: Merchant: At but cōnsīderā consider māgnam great eius its pulchritūdinem beauty et and rāritātem rarity!
25.23 Senex: Old man: Māgnā with great vōce voice clāmās you shout, sed but mercēs goods tuae your parvae small sunt are!
25.24 Mercātor: Merchant: Errās you err, senex old man! Māgnō with great labōre labor hās these rēs things comparāvī I obtained.
25.25 Iuvenis: Young man: Habēsne do you have māgnōs large librōs books dē about philosophiā philosophy?
25.26 Mercātor: Merchant: Certē certainly! Māgna great volūmina volumes Platōnis of Plato et and Aristotelis Aristotle habeō I have.
25.27 Iuvenis: Young man: Māgnī greatly mē me interest they interest! Quantum how much prō for ūnō one petīs do you ask?
25.28 Mercātor: Merchant: Prō for tē you, iuvenis young man studiōse studious, nōn not māgnō for great pretiō price vēndam I will sell.
25.29 Mātrōna: Matron: Māgnam great grātiam favor ā from tē you petō I ask - servā save mihi for me illud that māgnum large vās vessel!
25.30 Mercātor: Merchant: Māgnō with great cum with gaudiō joy servābō I will save, domina lady! Crās tomorrow revenī return!
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