The conjunction atque (and its shortened form ac) is one of Latin's most versatile connecting words, meaning "and in addition," "and also," or simply "and." Unlike the simple coordinating conjunction et, atque carries a sense of adding something significant or emphasizing the connection between elements. After comparative adjectives and adverbs, atque can mean "than." In the phrase simul atque, it means "as soon as."
Definition: atque is a coordinating conjunction that joins words, phrases, or clauses with a sense of addition or emphasis. It cannot be used before vowels or h; in these cases, its shortened form ac is used instead.
Q: What does atque mean in Latin? A: Atque means "and in addition," "and also," or "and" with emphasis. After comparatives, it means "than." In the phrase simul atque, it means "as soon as."
This lesson will demonstrate how atque functions in conversational contexts, showing its various uses in questions and answers, direct speech, and everyday interactions. You'll see how Romans used this conjunction to add emphasis, create comparisons, and express temporal relationships.
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Subject: Latin Language Learning -
Level: Beginner to Intermediate -
Focus: Conversational Latin conjunction usage -
Learning Objective: Master the use of atque/ac in various conversational contexts
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Atque adds emphasis or significance when connecting elements -
Use ac before vowels and h -
After comparatives, atque means "than" -
Simul atque means "as soon as" -
More emphatic than simple et
35.1 Pater father atque and also māter mother domum home veniunt are coming
35.2 Quis who tē you docet teaches scrībere to write atque and legere to read
35.3 Magister teacher nōs us docet teaches respondit answered puer boy
35.4 Amīcus friend meus my fortior stronger est is atque than ego I
35.5 Simul as soon atque as sōl sun oritur rises surgō I get up
35.6 Cūr why tam so celeriter quickly currīs do you run rogat asks senex old man
35.7 Festīnō I hurry ad to forum forum atque and ad to tabernam shop eō I go
35.8 Vīnum wine bonum good ac and antiquum old habeō I have dīcit says caupō innkeeper
35.9 Mārcus Marcus cantat sings pulchrius more beautifully atque than Lūcius Lucius
35.10 Venī come mēcum with me ac and omnia everything vidēbis you will see
35.11 Ubi where est is liber book tuus your ac and stilus pen
35.12 In in mēnsā table sunt they are atque and parāta ready respondeō I answer
35.13 Simul as soon atque as pluit it rains intrō I go inside domum house
35.14 Hic this pānis bread melior better est is atque than ille that
35.15 Discipulus student interrogat asks cūr why magister teacher īrātus angry ac and trīstis sad sit is
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35.1 Pater atque māter domum veniunt. Father and mother are coming home.
35.2 "Quis tē docet scrībere atque legere?" "Who teaches you to write and read?"
35.3 "Magister nōs docet," respondit puer. "The teacher teaches us," answered the boy.
35.4 Amīcus meus fortior est atque ego. My friend is stronger than I.
35.5 Simul atque sōl oritur, surgō. As soon as the sun rises, I get up.
35.6 "Cūr tam celeriter currīs?" rogat senex. "Why do you run so quickly?" asks the old man.
35.7 "Festīnō ad forum atque ad tabernam eō." "I'm hurrying to the forum and going to the shop."
35.8 "Vīnum bonum ac antiquum habeō," dīcit caupō. "I have good and old wine," says the innkeeper.
35.9 Mārcus cantat pulchrius atque Lūcius. Marcus sings more beautifully than Lucius.
35.10 "Venī mēcum ac omnia vidēbis!" "Come with me and you'll see everything!"
35.11 "Ubi est liber tuus ac stilus?" "Where is your book and pen?"
35.12 "In mēnsā sunt atque parāta," respondeō. "They're on the table and ready," I answer.
35.13 Simul atque pluit, domum intrō. As soon as it rains, I go inside the house.
35.14 Hic pānis melior est atque ille. This bread is better than that one.
35.15 Discipulus interrogat cūr magister īrātus ac trīstis sit. The student asks why the teacher is angry and sad.
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35.1 Pater atque māter domum veniunt.
35.2 "Quis tē docet scrībere atque legere?"
35.3 "Magister nōs docet," respondit puer.
35.4 Amīcus meus fortior est atque ego.
35.5 Simul atque sōl oritur, surgō.
35.6 "Cūr tam celeriter currīs?" rogat senex.
35.7 "Festīnō ad forum atque ad tabernam eō."
35.8 "Vīnum bonum ac antiquum habeō," dīcit caupō.
35.9 Mārcus cantat pulchrius atque Lūcius.
35.10 "Venī mēcum ac omnia vidēbis!"
35.11 "Ubi est liber tuus ac stilus?"
35.12 "In mēnsā sunt atque parāta," respondeō.
35.13 Simul atque pluit, domum intrō.
35.14 Hic pānis melior est atque ille.
35.15 Discipulus interrogat cūr magister īrātus ac trīstis sit.
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Atque is a coordinating conjunction with specific rules that distinguish it from other Latin conjunctions: -
Basic Function: Connects words, phrases, or clauses with emphasis or addition -
More emphatic than et (simple "and") -
Less emphatic than -que (enclitic "and") -
Often implies the second element is significant or noteworthy -
Form Variations: -
atque - full form, used before consonants -
ac - shortened form, MUST be used before vowels and h -
Never use atque before a vowel or h -
Special Uses: -
After comparatives = "than" (e.g., fortior atque = stronger than) -
In simul atque = "as soon as" -
Can connect different parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, clauses) -
Word Order: -
Usually placed between the elements it connects -
In comparisons, follows the comparative form directly -
Cannot be postponed like -que
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Using atque before vowels: -
WRONG: atque ego -
CORRECT: ac ego -
Confusing with et: -
et = simple addition -
atque = emphatic addition -
Misunderstanding comparative use: -
"Mārcus est fortior atque Lūcius" = Marcus is stronger THAN Lucius -
NOT "Marcus is strong AND Lucius" -
Forgetting simul atque is a unit: -
Always use together for "as soon as" -
Don't separate simul from atque
Unlike English "and," Latin has three main coordinating conjunctions: -
et = neutral "and" -
atque/ac = emphatic "and also/and moreover" -
-que = enclitic "and" (most emphatic, attached to second word)
English uses intonation or additional words ("also," "moreover") to achieve what Latin does with different conjunctions.
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Identify what you're connecting: words, phrases, or clauses? -
Check the following sound: vowel/h → use ac; consonant → use atque -
Determine emphasis needed: neutral → use et; emphatic → use atque -
Check for special constructions: comparative? Use atque for "than"; temporal? Consider simul atque
Conjunction: atque/ac (indeclinable) Type: Coordinating conjunction Meanings: -
and also, and moreover, and -
(after comparatives) than -
(with simul) as soon as Usage Rules: -
ac before vowels/h -
atque before consonants -
More emphatic than et -
Can connect any parallel elements
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For English speakers learning conversational Latin, understanding atque reveals important aspects of Roman communication style. Romans had a sophisticated system for expressing degrees of connection and emphasis through their choice of conjunctions. This nuance allowed speakers to subtly indicate which elements of their speech deserved special attention.
In Roman conversation, the choice between et, atque, and -que wasn't arbitrary. Using atque signaled to listeners that the speaker was adding something noteworthy or making an important connection. This was particularly significant in rhetoric, where speakers needed to guide their audience's attention carefully.
The rule about using ac before vowels reflects Latin's general tendency to avoid hiatus (two vowels meeting at word boundaries). This phonological sensitivity made Latin flow smoothly in speech, which was crucial in a culture that valued oratory highly.
The use of atque after comparatives (meaning "than") shows how Latin efficiently used existing words for multiple functions. This economy of expression is characteristic of Latin's elegance. Similarly, the phrase simul atque ("as soon as") demonstrates how conjunctions could combine with other words to create temporal expressions.
In daily conversation, Romans would have automatically chosen the appropriate conjunction based on context and emphasis, much as English speakers unconsciously choose between "and," "and also," or "as well as." Understanding these distinctions helps modern Latin speakers capture the authentic feel of Roman conversation.
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From the Colloquia Scholica (Medieval School Dialogues), a conversational text used for Latin instruction:
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Surge get up frāter brother iam now diēs day est it is ac and hōra hour surgendī of rising Nōlō I don't want adhūc yet dormīre to sleep volō I want Surge get up inquam I say cito quickly atque and vestēs clothes tuās your indue put on Ubi where sunt are cāligae boots meae my In in illō that angulō corner atque and also tunica tunic tua your ibi there est is
"Surge, frāter, iam diēs est ac hōra surgendī." "Nōlō. Adhūc dormīre volō." "Surge, inquam, cito, atque vestēs tuās indue!" "Ubi sunt cāligae meae?" "In illō angulō, atque tunica tua ibi est."
"Get up, brother, it's already day and time to rise." "I don't want to. I still want to sleep." "Get up, I say, quickly, and put on your clothes!" "Where are my boots?" "In that corner, and your tunic is there too."
This dialogue from the Colloquia Scholica demonstrates the natural use of atque/ac in everyday conversation. The text shows three different uses: ac before a vowel (ac hōra), atque for emphatic addition when giving commands (atque vestēs tuās indue), and atque adding information in response to a question (atque tunica tua ibi est). The conversational flow shows how these conjunctions created natural speech rhythms in spoken Latin.
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ac hōra: Correct use of ac before h- -
atque vestēs: Emphatic addition to command -
atque tunica: Adding relevant information -
Imperative forms: surge, indue (2nd person singular) -
Present tense throughout for immediacy -
Natural word order in conversational context
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This lesson teaches about the conjunctions atque and ac (both meaning "and").
35.20-22: The conjunctions are useful and necessary. They are used when you want to join things together and add emphasis.
35.26: The crucial distinction: - atque is used before vowels and before the letter h - ac is used before consonants (except h)
pater atque māter mē amant "Father and mother love me" - Uses atque because māter begins with m (consonant)...
Wait—let me reconsider. Looking at 35.26 again: ante vōcālēs (before vowels) and ante litteram h uses atque. So ac would be used elsewhere.
Actually, in 35.24, pater atque māter shows atque before m (a consonant), which seems contradictory to 35.26...
Correction: The rule appears to be: - atque = more common, used generally and before vowels - ac = used before consonants (except h) for euphonic reasons
The lesson uses a student-teacher dialogue to make grammar interactive and memorable, ending with practical exercises (35.28-30).
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35.16 "Salvē, magister optime atque doctissime!" "Hello, excellent and most learned teacher!"
35.17 "Salvē et tū, discipule cāre ac dīligēns." "Hello to you too, dear and diligent student."
35.18 "Quid hodiē discere cupis?" rogat magister. "What do you desire to learn today?" asks the teacher.
35.19 "Dē coniūnctiōnibus atque dē eārum ūsū discere volō." "I want to learn about conjunctions and about their use."
35.20 "Bene dīcis, nam coniūnctiōnēs ūtilēs sunt atque necessāriae." "You speak well, for conjunctions are useful and necessary."
35.21 "Quandō ūtor hāc coniūnctiōne 'atque'?" interrogat puer. "When do I use this conjunction 'atque'?" asks the boy.
35.22 "Cum rēs coniungere vīs ac emphasis addere." "When you want to join things and add emphasis."
35.23 "Dā mihi exemplum bonum atque clārum," ōrat discipulus. "Give me a good and clear example," begs the student.
35.24 "Libenter. Sīc dīcimus: 'pater atque māter mē amant.'" "Gladly. Thus we say: 'father and mother love me.'"
35.25 "Intellegō iam, sed quid dē formā 'ac' dīcis?" "I understand now, but what do you say about the form 'ac'?"
35.26 "'Ac' ūtimur ante vōcālēs atque ante litteram 'h'." "We use 'ac' before vowels and before the letter 'h'."
35.27 "Grātiās tibi agō, magister bone ac ērudīte!" "I thank you, good and learned teacher!"
35.28 "Nunc exercēre dēbēs atque multa exempla facere." "Now you must practice and make many examples."
35.29 "Faciam libenter atque dīligenter," prōmittit discipulus. "I will do so gladly and diligently," promises the student.
35.30 "Vale, discipule! Studē bene atque fēlīciter!" "Farewell, student! Study well and successfully!"
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35.16 "Salvē, magister optime atque doctissime!"
35.17 "Salvē et tū, discipule cāre ac dīligēns."
35.18 "Quid hodiē discere cupis?" rogat magister.
35.19 "Dē coniūnctiōnibus atque dē eārum ūsū discere volō."
35.20 "Bene dīcis, nam coniūnctiōnēs ūtilēs sunt atque necessāriae."
35.21 "Quandō ūtor hāc coniūnctiōne 'atque'?" interrogat puer.
35.22 "Cum rēs coniungere vīs ac emphasis addere."
35.23 "Dā mihi exemplum bonum atque clārum," ōrat discipulus.
35.24 "Libenter. Sīc dīcimus: 'pater atque māter mē amant.'"
35.25 "Intellegō iam, sed quid dē formā 'ac' dīcis?"
35.26 "'Ac' ūtimur ante vōcālēs atque ante litteram 'h'."
35.27 "Grātiās tibi agō, magister bone ac ērudīte!"
35.28 "Nunc exercēre dēbēs atque multa exempla facere."
35.29 "Faciam libenter atque dīligenter," prōmittit discipulus.
35.30 "Vale, discipule! Studē bene atque fēlīciter!"
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This scholastic dialogue demonstrates advanced uses of atque/ac in educational conversation:
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In Formal Greetings: -
"magister optime atque doctissime" - joining superlative adjectives for respectful address -
Shows how Romans layered compliments with atque -
Meta-linguistic Discussion: -
Talking about atque using atque itself (35.19, 35.21) -
Common in grammatical instruction -
Paired Academic Concepts: -
"ūtilēs atque necessāriae" - joining related scholarly attributes -
"bonum atque clārum" - academic qualities of examples -
Instructional Formulas: -
"exercēre dēbēs atque multa exempla facere" - compound instructions -
"bene atque fēlīciter" - paired adverbs for wishes
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Question-Answer Patterns: -
Teacher uses atque in explanations -
Student uses atque in responses -
Natural flow of academic conversation -
Politeness Formulas: -
"bone ac ērudīte" - respectful paired adjectives -
"libenter atque dīligenter" - promised behavior -
Reported Speech in Dialogue: -
Direct quotations maintain natural speech patterns -
Verbs of speaking (rogat, interrogat, ōrat, prōmittit)
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Technical Vocabulary: -
coniūnctiō, -ōnis f. (conjunction) -
ūsus, -ūs m. (use, usage) -
littera, -ae f. (letter of alphabet) -
Academic Register: -
More formal than everyday conversation -
Careful attention to grammatical correctness -
Explicit discussion of language rules -
Teaching Techniques: -
Direct questions about grammar -
Immediate examples -
Confirmation of understanding -
Encouragement to practice
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The Latinum Institute's Conversational Latin course represents a unique approach to learning Latin as a living language. These lessons, crafted by Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), draw on over 15 years of experience in creating online language learning materials since 2006.
The course methodology, detailed at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk, emphasizes: -
Conversational Focus: Unlike traditional grammar-translation methods, these lessons prioritize spoken Latin patterns and everyday communication -
Construed Text Approach: The granular word-by-word glossing in Part A helps autodidacts build vocabulary systematically 35.16 Salvē hello magister teacher optime excellent atque and doctissime most learned
35.17 Salvē hello et also tū you discipule student cāre dear ac and dīligēns diligent
35.18 Quid what hodiē today discere to learn cupis do you desire rogat asks magister teacher
35.19 Dē about coniūnctiōnibus conjunctions atque and dē about eārum their ūsū use discere to learn volō I want
35.20 Bene well dīcis you speak nam for coniūnctiōnēs conjunctions ūtilēs useful sunt are atque and necessāriae necessary
35.21 Quandō when ūtor do I use hāc this coniūnctiōne conjunction atque atque interrogat asks puer boy
35.22 Cum when rēs things coniungere to join vīs you want ac and emphasis emphasis addere to add
35.23 Dā give mihi to me exemplum example bonum good atque and clārum clear ōrat begs discipulus student
35.24 Libenter gladly sīc thus dīcimus we say pater father atque and māter mother mē me amant love
35.25 Intellegō I understand iam now sed but quid what dē about formā form ac ac dīcis do you say
35.26 Ac ac ūtimur we use ante before vōcālēs vowels atque and ante before litteram letter h h
35.27 Grātiās thanks tibi to you agō I give magister teacher bone good ac and ērudīte learned
35.28 Nunc now exercēre practice dēbēs you must atque and multa many exempla examples facere make
35.29 Faciam I will do libenter gladly atque and dīligenter diligently prōmittit promises discipulus student
35.30 Vale farewell discipule student studē study bene well atque and fēlīciter successfully
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