The demonstrative pronoun "hic, haec, hoc" means "this" or "these" in English. It points to something near the speaker in space, time, or thought - much like the English "this" as opposed to "that."
Q: What does "hic, haec, hoc" mean in Latin? A: "Hic, haec, hoc" is a demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "these." It refers to people, things, or ideas that are close to the speaker, either physically or in the context of the conversation.
In this lesson, you'll encounter "hic, haec, hoc" in various conversational contexts. The pronoun changes its form based on gender (masculine, feminine, neuter), number (singular, plural), and case (nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, ablative). You'll see it used to point out objects, refer to people present in conversations, and emphasize immediate topics of discussion.
Subject: Latin Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Focus: Conversational Latin with demonstrative pronouns Learning Objective: Master the use of "hic, haec, hoc" in everyday Latin conversation
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"Hic, haec, hoc" changes form based on gender, number, and case -
It refers to things near the speaker (proximal demonstrative) -
Often translates as "this" or "these" in English -
Can be used as both pronoun (standing alone) and adjective (modifying a noun) -
Essential for natural, flowing Latin conversation
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7.1 Quis who est is hic this vir? man?
7.2 Haec this fēmina woman māter mother mea my est is
7.3 Vidēsne do you see hoc this aedificium building magnum? large?
7.4 Hī these puerī boys in in scholā school student are studying
7.5 Cūr why hae these puellae girls rīdent? are laughing?
7.6 Haec these omnia all things nova new sunt are
7.7 Huius of this librī book auctor author clārus famous est is
7.8 Dā give mihi to me hunc this pānem bread quaesō please
7.9 Cum with hīs these amīcīs friends semper always lūdō I play
7.10 Hōc in this locō place herī yesterday eram I was
7.11 Quid what dē about hāc this rē matter putās? do you think?
7.12 Hic this man dīcit says sē himself Rōmānum Roman esse to be
7.13 Hanc this epistulam letter nōn not intellegō I understand
7.14 Hōrum of these hominum men nēminem no one cognōscō I know
7.15 Hās these rosās roses tibī to you ferō I bring
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7.1 Quis est hic vir? Who is this man?
7.2 Haec fēmina māter mea est. This woman is my mother.
7.3 Vidēsne hoc aedificium magnum? Do you see this large building?
7.4 Hī puerī in scholā student. These boys are studying in school.
7.5 Cūr hae puellae rīdent? Why are these girls laughing?
7.6 Haec omnia nova sunt. All these things are new.
7.7 Huius librī auctor clārus est. The author of this book is famous.
7.8 Dā mihi hunc pānem, quaesō. Please give me this bread.
7.9 Cum hīs amīcīs semper lūdō. I always play with these friends.
7.10 Hōc locō herī eram. I was in this place yesterday.
7.11 Quid dē hāc rē putās? What do you think about this matter?
7.12 Hic dīcit sē Rōmānum esse. This man says he is a Roman.
7.13 Hanc epistulam nōn intellegō. I don't understand this letter.
7.14 Hōrum hominum nēminem cognōscō. I know none of these men.
7.15 Hās rosās tibī ferō. I'm bringing these roses to you.
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7.1 Quis est hic vir?
7.2 Haec fēmina māter mea est.
7.3 Vidēsne hoc aedificium magnum?
7.4 Hī puerī in scholā student.
7.5 Cūr hae puellae rīdent?
7.6 Haec omnia nova sunt.
7.7 Huius librī auctor clārus est.
7.8 Dā mihi hunc pānem, quaesō.
7.9 Cum hīs amīcīs semper lūdō.
7.10 Hōc locō herī eram.
7.11 Quid dē hāc rē putās?
7.12 Hic dīcit sē Rōmānum esse.
7.13 Hanc epistulam nōn intellegō.
7.14 Hōrum hominum nēminem cognōscō.
7.15 Hās rosās tibī ferō.
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"Hic, haec, hoc" is a demonstrative pronoun/adjective that declines through all cases, genders, and numbers. Here's how it works:
Declension of hic, haec, hoc:
SINGULAR -
Nominative: hic (m.), haec (f.), hoc (n.) -
Genitive: huius (all genders) -
Dative: huic (all genders) -
Accusative: hunc (m.), hanc (f.), hoc (n.) -
Ablative: hōc (m./n.), hāc (f.)
PLURAL -
Nominative: hī (m.), hae (f.), haec (n.) -
Genitive: hōrum (m./n.), hārum (f.) -
Dative: hīs (all genders) -
Accusative: hōs (m.), hās (f.), haec (n.) -
Ablative: hīs (all genders)
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Confusing forms: Students often mix up "hic" (this) with "hīc" (here, adverb). Remember: the pronoun never has a long ī. -
Gender agreement: The pronoun must agree with the gender of the noun it refers to, not the natural gender. Example: "haec manus" (this hand) uses feminine "haec" because "manus" is feminine, even if referring to a man's hand. -
Using wrong case: Remember that "huius" is genitive singular for ALL genders. Don't try to create forms like "hī" for genitive. -
Position in sentence: Unlike English, "hic, haec, hoc" can be separated from its noun. "Hunc ego librum legō" (I am reading this book) is perfectly normal.
English has only one form "this/these" regardless of grammatical function. Latin requires you to: -
Match gender (no English equivalent) -
Match case based on grammatical function -
Choose singular or plural form
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Identify what you're pointing to - Is it masculine, feminine, or neuter? -
Determine grammatical function - Is it subject (nominative), object (accusative), showing possession (genitive), etc.? -
Check number - One thing (singular) or multiple (plural)? -
Select correct form from the declension pattern above -
Place in sentence - Can be before, after, or separated from its noun
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Type: Demonstrative pronoun/adjective -
Meaning: this, these (near speaker) -
Declension pattern: Irregular but predictable -
Special features: -
Genitive singular "huius" same for all genders -
Dative singular "huic" same for all genders -
Can intensify with "-ce" particle: "hisce" (these very ones)
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For English speakers learning conversational Latin, understanding how Romans used "hic, haec, hoc" reveals important cultural patterns:
Physical Space and Social Distance Romans were very conscious of spatial relationships. "Hic" indicated not just physical proximity but also emotional or social closeness. When a Roman said "hic vir" (this man), they often meant someone present in the conversation or recently mentioned, creating an immediate connection.
Emphasis and Emotion Romans frequently used "hic" for emphasis, much like we might stress "THIS one" in English. In heated discussions or passionate speeches, multiple uses of "hic" could build emotional intensity.
Legal and Official Language In legal contexts, "hic" provided precision. Documents would specify "hic testis" (this witness present here) to distinguish from absent parties. This usage survives in legal Latin today.
Conversational Immediacy In daily conversation, Romans used "hic" to create immediacy and engagement. Phrases like "hōc tempore" (at this time) or "hāc dē causā" (for this reason) kept discussions focused on the present moment and immediate concerns.
Literary Style Roman authors used demonstratives to guide readers' attention. Cicero particularly loved building arguments with careful placement of "hic," creating a sense of logical progression from "this point" to "that conclusion."
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From Erasmus's Colloquia Familiaria, "De Rebus Domesticis" (On Household Matters):
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Hic this puer boy nimis too much edit. eats. Haec this puella girl parum too little bibit. drinks. Hōc in this convīviō feast omnēs all laetī happy sunt. are. Hae these epulae dishes optimae excellent sunt! are! Quis who hunc this cibum food parāvit? prepared? Māter mother nostra our haec these things omnia all fēcit. made.
Hic puer nimis edit. Haec puella parum bibit. Hōc convīviō omnēs laetī sunt. Hae epulae optimae sunt! Quis hunc cibum parāvit? Māter nostra haec omnia fēcit.
This boy eats too much. This girl drinks too little. At this feast everyone is happy. These dishes are excellent! Who prepared this food? Our mother made all these things.
Hic puer nimis edit. Haec puella parum bibit. Hōc convīviō omnēs laetī sunt. Hae epulae optimae sunt! Quis hunc cibum parāvit? Māter nostra haec omnia fēcit.
This passage demonstrates various forms of "hic, haec, hoc": -
hic puer - nominative masculine singular (subject) -
haec puella - nominative feminine singular (subject) -
hōc convīviō - ablative neuter singular (place where) -
hae epulae - nominative feminine plural (subject) -
hunc cibum - accusative masculine singular (direct object) -
haec omnia - accusative neuter plural (direct object)
Note how Erasmus uses the demonstrative to create a vivid domestic scene, pointing to specific people and things as if the reader were present at the feast.
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These sentences illustrate the three demonstrative pronouns in Latin and their usage patterns:
| Pronoun | Primary Use | |---------|------------| | HIC, HAEC, HOC | This (near speaker) | | ISTE, ISTA, ISTUD | That (near listener) | | ILLE, ILLA, ILLUD | That (far away/remote) |
- 7.16 Quid est hoc quod videō? — What is this (thing) which I see? - 7.25 Vidē hōs flōrēs — See these flowers
- 7.17 Haec est imāgō animī tuī — This is an image of your soul - 7.21 Huius reī nātūram nōn intellegō — I don't understand the nature of this thing
- 7.26 Hōrum philosophōrum sentientiāe — The opinions of these philosophers - 7.30 Hanc quaestiōnem — This question
- Demonstratives function as pronouns (standing alone) or adjectives (modifying nouns) - Case agreement is essential: the demonstrative matches the noun's case - These exercises emphasize the near/far distinction central to Latin thought expression ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
7.16 Quid est hoc quod videō? What is this that I see?
7.17 Haec est imāgō animī tuī. This is an image of your soul.
7.18 Hic mundus umbrārum plēnus est. This world is full of shadows.
7.19 Num hae rēs vērae sunt? Surely these things aren't true?
7.20 Hōc modō vēritātem quaerimus. In this way we seek truth.
7.21 Huius reī nātūram nōn intellegō. I don't understand the nature of this thing.
7.22 Hī hominēs sapientiā carent. These men lack wisdom.
7.23 Cūr hanc viam sequimur? Why do we follow this path?
7.24 Hāc ratiōne nihil probātur. By this reasoning nothing is proved.
7.25 Vidē hōs flōrēs quam pulchrōs! See how beautiful these flowers are!
7.26 Hōrum philosophōrum sententiae contrāriae sunt. The opinions of these philosophers are contradictory.
7.27 Hic omnia scīre sē putat. This man thinks he knows everything.
7.28 Num haec sōla bona sunt? Are these the only good things?
7.29 Hīs rēbus contentus esse dēbeō? Should I be content with these things?
7.30 Hanc quaestiōnem philosophī semper rogant. Philosophers always ask this question.
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7.16 Quid est hoc quod videō?
7.17 Haec est imāgō animī tuī.
7.18 Hic mundus umbrārum plēnus est.
7.19 Num hae rēs vērae sunt?
7.20 Hōc modō vēritātem quaerimus.
7.21 Huius reī nātūram nōn intellegō.
7.22 Hī hominēs sapientiā carent.
7.23 Cūr hanc viam sequimur?
7.24 Hāc ratiōne nihil probātur.
7.25 Vidē hōs flōrēs quam pulchrōs!
7.26 Hōrum philosophōrum sententiae contrāriae sunt.
7.27 Hic omnia scīre sē putat.
7.28 Num haec sōla bona sunt?
7.29 Hīs rēbus contentus esse dēbeō?
7.30 Hanc quaestiōnem philosophī semper rogant.
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Abstract Reference In philosophical dialogue, "hic, haec, hoc" often refers to abstract concepts rather than physical objects: -
"haec est imāgō" - "this" refers to a mental concept -
"huius reī nātūram" - "of this thing" meaning an abstract idea
Demonstrative with Relative Clauses Note the pattern "hoc quod videō" (this which I see). The demonstrative anticipates the relative clause, common in philosophical Latin: -
Structure: demonstrative + relative pronoun + verb -
Creates emphasis on the thing being examined
Instrumental Ablative Philosophical texts frequently use ablative of means: -
"hōc modō" - by this method -
"hāc ratiōne" - by this reasoning Shows the means by which philosophical inquiry proceeds
Rhetorical Questions "Num" expecting negative answer combines with demonstratives for skeptical inquiry: -
"Num hae rēs vērae sunt?" - These things aren't really true, are they?
Exclamatory Accusative "Vidē hōs flōrēs quam pulchrōs!" - The accusative with exclamation shows philosophical wonder at beauty
Reported Speech "Hic omnia scīre sē putat" - Demonstrates indirect statement with demonstrative as subject
Philosophical Vocabulary Patterns -
Abstract nouns: imāgō, nātūra, ratiō, quaestiō -
Philosophical verbs: intellegō, probātur, quaerimus -
Value terms: vērae, bona, sapientiā
These patterns show how conversational philosophical Latin uses demonstratives to examine ideas, challenge assumptions, and explore truth.
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The Latinum Institute Latin Reading Course uses an innovative interlinear approach developed by Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), who has been creating online language learning materials since 2006.
This method, detailed at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk, is particularly effective for autodidacts because:
Immediate Comprehension: The granular interlinear glossing in Part A allows learners to understand Latin texts immediately without constantly consulting dictionaries.
Natural Progression: Moving from word-by-word glosses (Part A) to complete sentences (Part B) to Latin-only text (Part C) builds confidence systematically. 7.16 Quid what est is hoc this quod which videō? I see?
7.17 Haec this est is imāgō image animī of soul tuī your
7.18 Hic this mundus world umbrārum of shadows plēnus full est is
7.19 Num surely not hae these rēs things vērae true sunt? are?
7.20 Hōc by this modō method vēritātem truth quaerimus we seek
7.21 Huius of this reī thing nātūram nature nōn not intellegō I understand
7.22 Hī these hominēs men sapientiā in wisdom carent are lacking
7.23 Cūr why hanc this viam way sequimur? do we follow?
7.24 Hāc by this ratiōne reasoning nihil nothing probātur is proved
7.25 Vidē see hōs these flōrēs flowers quam how pulchrōs! beautiful!
7.26 Hōrum of these philosophōrum philosophers sententiae opinions contrāriae opposite sunt are
7.27 Hic this man omnia all things scīre to know sē himself putat thinks
7.28 Num surely haec these things sōla alone bona goods sunt? are?
7.29 Hīs with these rēbus things contentus content esse to be dēbeō? ought I?
7.30 Hanc this quaestiōnem question philosophī philosophers semper always rogant ask
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