← Latinum Institute Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course
126.1 Quīdam a certain monachus monk in in cēllā cell suā his ōrābat was praying
126.2 Vēnit came ad to eum him quaedam a certain mulier woman auxilium help petēns seeking
126.3 In in ecclésiā church quoddam a certain mīrāculum miracle factum done est was
126.4 Sacerdōs priest quendam a certain puerum boy baptīzāvit baptized
126.5 Audīvimus we heard quandam a certain vōcem voice dē from caelō heaven
126.6 Quoddam a certain signum sign in in caelō heaven appāruit appeared
126.7 Nārrāvit told nōbīs to us quīdam a certain senex old man vīsiōnem vision suam his
126.8 Quaedam certain scrīptūra scripture dīcit says dē about adventū coming Dominī of the Lord
126.9 Frāter brother quīdam a certain in in dēsertō desert habitābat was dwelling
126.10 Invēnērunt they found quoddam a certain sepulchrum tomb vacuum empty
126.11 Apud among nōs us quaedam a certain cōnsuētūdō custom servātur is kept
126.12 Angelus angel quendam to a certain pāstōrem shepherd allocūtus addressed est is
126.13 In in quōdam a certain locō place sanctō holy ōrant they pray peregrīnī pilgrims
126.14 Scrīpsit wrote quaedam a certain sancta holy fēmina woman librōs books plūrimōs very many
126.15 Quoddam a certain templum temple Deō to God dēdicātum dedicated est was
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126.1 Quīdam monachus in cēllā suā ōrābat. A certain monk was praying in his cell.
126.2 Vēnit ad eum quaedam mulier auxilium petēns. A certain woman came to him seeking help.
126.3 In ecclésiā quoddam mīrāculum factum est. A certain miracle occurred in the church.
126.4 Sacerdōs quendam puerum baptīzāvit. The priest baptized a certain boy.
126.5 Audīvimus quandam vōcem dē caelō. We heard a certain voice from heaven.
126.6 Quoddam signum in caelō appāruit. A certain sign appeared in the sky.
126.7 Nārrāvit nōbīs quīdam senex vīsiōnem suam. A certain old man told us his vision.
126.8 Quaedam scrīptūra dīcit dē adventū Dominī. A certain scripture speaks about the coming of the Lord.
126.9 Frāter quīdam in dēsertō habitābat. A certain brother was dwelling in the desert.
126.10 Invēnērunt quoddam sepulchrum vacuum. They found a certain empty tomb.
126.11 Apud nōs quaedam cōnsuētūdō servātur. Among us a certain custom is observed.
126.12 Angelus quendam pāstōrem allocūtus est. An angel addressed a certain shepherd.
126.13 In quōdam locō sanctō ōrant peregrīnī. Pilgrims pray in a certain holy place.
126.14 Scrīpsit quaedam sancta fēmina librōs plūrimōs. A certain holy woman wrote very many books.
126.15 Quoddam templum Deō dēdicātum est. A certain temple was dedicated to God.
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126.1 Quīdam monachus in cēllā suā ōrābat.
126.2 Vēnit ad eum quaedam mulier auxilium petēns.
126.3 In ecclésiā quoddam mīrāculum factum est.
126.4 Sacerdōs quendam puerum baptīzāvit.
126.5 Audīvimus quandam vōcem dē caelō.
126.6 Quoddam signum in caelō appāruit.
126.7 Nārrāvit nōbīs quīdam senex vīsiōnem suam.
126.8 Quaedam scrīptūra dīcit dē adventū Dominī.
126.9 Frāter quīdam in dēsertō habitābat.
126.10 Invēnērunt quoddam sepulchrum vacuum.
126.11 Apud nōs quaedam cōnsuētūdō servātur.
126.12 Angelus quendam pāstōrem allocūtus est.
126.13 In quōdam locō sanctō ōrant peregrīnī.
126.14 Scrīpsit quaedam sancta fēmina librōs plūrimōs.
126.15 Quoddam templum Deō dēdicātum est.
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For English speakers learning Latin, quīdam, quaedam, quoddam presents several important features: -
Basic Meaning and Usage -
Means "a certain (one)," "someone," "something" -
More specific than the indefinite aliquis (someone/anyone) -
Less specific than a named individual -
Often introduces new characters or elements in narratives -
Formation -
Formed from the relative pronoun quī, quae, quod + suffix -dam -
The suffix -dam adds the sense of "a certain" -
Note: m before d changes to n (quendam, quandam) -
Declension Pattern
Masculine: -
Nom: quīdam -
Gen: cuiusdam -
Dat: cuidam -
Acc: quendam -
Abl: quōdam
Feminine: -
Nom: quaedam -
Gen: cuiusdam -
Dat: cuidam -
Acc: quandam -
Abl: quādam
Neuter: -
Nom: quoddam -
Gen: cuiusdam -
Dat: cuidam -
Acc: quoddam -
Abl: quōdam -
Usage in Christian Latin -
Frequently used in biblical narratives: "homo quidam" (a certain man) -
Common in hagiographies to introduce characters -
Used in parables and exempla -
Often signals the beginning of a story or anecdote -
Word Order -
Can precede the noun: quīdam monachus (a certain monk) -
Can follow the noun: frāter quīdam (a certain brother) -
Position affects emphasis and style
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For English speakers studying ecclesiastical Latin, understanding quīdam requires appreciating its role in Christian literature: -
Biblical Usage -
Translates Greek τις (tis) in the Vulgate -
Common in parables: "homo quidam habuit duos filios" (a certain man had two sons) -
Creates narrative distance while maintaining specificity -
Hagiographical Tradition -
Saints' lives often begin with "quīdam" formulas -
Introduces miraculous events: "quoddam miraculum" -
Establishes historical credibility while protecting anonymity -
Monastic Literature -
Used in exempla (moral stories) told to monks -
Common in the Desert Fathers' sayings -
Preserves humility by avoiding specific names -
Liturgical Context -
Appears in prayers and hymns -
Used in readings from scripture -
Maintains reverent indefiniteness -
Medieval Storytelling -
Standard opening for religious tales -
Similar to English "once upon a time there was..." -
Signals transition from everyday to sacred narrative
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From the Vulgate Bible, Luke 10:30-32 (The Good Samaritan):
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Homō man quīdam a certain dēscendēbat was going down ab from Hierūsalem Jerusalem in to Hierichō Jericho et and incidit fell in among latrōnēs robbers quī who etiam also dēspoliāvērunt stripped eum him et and plāgīs blows impositīs having inflicted abiērunt went away sēmivivō half-dead relictō. having left. Accidit it happened autem however ut that sacerdōs priest quīdam a certain dēscenderet was going down eādem same viā by way et and vīsō having seen illō him praeteriit. passed by.
Homō quīdam dēscendēbat ab Hierūsalem in Hierichō, et incidit in latrōnēs, quī etiam dēspoliāvērunt eum et plāgīs impositīs abiērunt sēmivivō relictō. Accidit autem ut sacerdōs quīdam dēscenderet eādem viā et vīsō illō praeteriit.
A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who both stripped him and, having inflicted wounds, went away leaving him half-dead. Now it happened that a certain priest was going down by the same road and, having seen him, passed by.
Homō quīdam dēscendēbat ab Hierūsalem in Hierichō, et incidit in latrōnēs, quī etiam dēspoliāvērunt eum et plāgīs impositīs abiērunt sēmivivō relictō. Accidit autem ut sacerdōs quīdam dēscenderet eādem viā et vīsō illō praeteriit.
This passage demonstrates classic uses of quīdam: -
"Homō quīdam" - Subject introducing the parable's protagonist -
Nominative singular masculine -
Creates narrative immediacy while maintaining anonymity -
"sacerdōs quīdam" - Subject of subordinate clause -
Parallels the first quīdam structurally -
Shows how quīdam can introduce multiple characters -
Verbal Forms: -
dēscendēbat - imperfect, ongoing action -
incidit - perfect, sudden event -
dēspoliāvērunt, abiērunt - perfects showing completed actions -
dēscenderet - imperfect subjunctive in result clause -
Participial Constructions: -
plāgīs impositīs - ablative absolute -
sēmivivō relictō - ablative absolute -
vīsō illō - ablative absolute
This parable's opening perfectly illustrates how quīdam functions in Christian narrative to create vivid yet universal stories.
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126.16 Erat there was quīdam a certain iuvenis young man nōmine by name Antōnius Anthony quī who omnēs all dīvitiās riches suās his pauperibus to the poor dedit gave
126.17 Audīvit he heard enim for quandam a certain vōcem voice in in ecclésiā church dīcentem saying vendē sell omnia all things quae which habēs you have
126.18 Post after haec these things quīdam a certain senex old man monachōrum of monks pater father eum him in into dēsertum desert dūxit led
126.19 In in quōdam a certain antrō cave obscūrō dark habitāre to dwell coepit he began sōlus alone cum with Deō God
126.20 Multae many tentātiōnēs temptations ā from quibusdam certain daemonibus demons eī to him illātae brought sunt were
126.21 Sed but quaedam a certain virtūs power dīvīna divine eum him semper always prōtēxit protected
126.22 Vēnērunt came ad to eum him quīdam certain frātrēs brothers cōnsilium counsel spiritāle spiritual quaerentēs seeking
126.23 Docēbat he was teaching eōs them quōdam with a certain modō manner simplicī simple sed but prōfundō profound
126.24 Quodam on a certain diē day appāruit appeared eī to him quaedam a certain lūx light caelestis heavenly
126.25 Nārrāvit he told quibusdam to certain discipulīs disciples vīsiōnēs visions suās his mīrābilēs wonderful
126.26 Factus having become est he was quīdam a certain magister master māgnus great vītae of life monasticae monastic
126.27 Scrīpsērunt wrote dē about eō him quaedam certain memoriae memoirs sanctae holy posterīs for posterity
126.28 Fēcit he performed quaedam certain mīrācula miracles māgna great in in nōmine name Christī of Christ
126.29 In at quādam a certain hōrā hour ultimā final praedīxit he foretold obitum death suum his
126.30 Relīquit he left nōbīs to us quoddam a certain exemplum example perfectum perfect sequendum to be followed
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126.16 Erat quīdam iuvenis nōmine Antōnius, quī omnēs dīvitiās suās pauperibus dedit. There was a certain young man named Anthony, who gave all his riches to the poor.
126.17 Audīvit enim quandam vōcem in ecclésiā dīcentem: "Vendē omnia quae habēs." For he heard a certain voice in church saying: "Sell all that you have."
126.18 Post haec quīdam senex, monachōrum pater, eum in dēsertum dūxit. After these things a certain old man, father of monks, led him into the desert.
126.19 In quōdam antrō obscūrō habitāre coepit sōlus cum Deō. He began to dwell in a certain dark cave alone with God.
126.20 Multae tentātiōnēs ā quibusdam daemonibus eī illātae sunt. Many temptations were brought to him by certain demons.
126.21 Sed quaedam virtūs dīvīna eum semper prōtēxit. But a certain divine power always protected him.
126.22 Vēnērunt ad eum quīdam frātrēs cōnsilium spiritāle quaerentēs. Certain brothers came to him seeking spiritual counsel.
126.23 Docēbat eōs quōdam modō simplicī sed prōfundō. He taught them in a certain manner, simple but profound.
126.24 Quodam diē appāruit eī quaedam lūx caelestis. On a certain day a heavenly light appeared to him.
126.25 Nārrāvit quibusdam discipulīs vīsiōnēs suās mīrābilēs. He told his wonderful visions to certain disciples.
126.26 Factus est quīdam magister māgnus vītae monasticae. He became a certain great master of monastic life.
126.27 Scrīpsērunt dē eō quaedam memoriae sanctae posterīs. They wrote certain holy memoirs about him for posterity.
126.28 Fēcit quaedam mīrācula māgna in nōmine Christī. He performed certain great miracles in the name of Christ.
126.29 In quādam hōrā ultimā praedīxit obitum suum. At a certain final hour he foretold his death.
126.30 Relīquit nōbīs quoddam exemplum perfectum sequendum. He left us a certain perfect example to follow.
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126.16 Erat quīdam iuvenis nōmine Antōnius, quī omnēs dīvitiās suās pauperibus dedit.
126.17 Audīvit enim quandam vōcem in ecclésiā dīcentem: "Vendē omnia quae habēs."
126.18 Post haec quīdam senex, monachōrum pater, eum in dēsertum dūxit.
126.19 In quōdam antrō obscūrō habitāre coepit sōlus cum Deō.
126.20 Multae tentātiōnēs ā quibusdam daemonibus eī illātae sunt.
126.21 Sed quaedam virtūs dīvīna eum semper prōtēxit.
126.22 Vēnērunt ad eum quīdam frātrēs cōnsilium spiritāle quaerentēs.
126.23 Docēbat eōs quōdam modō simplicī sed prōfundō.
126.24 Quodam diē appāruit eī quaedam lūx caelestis.
126.25 Nārrāvit quibusdam discipulīs vīsiōnēs suās mīrābilēs.
126.26 Factus est quīdam magister māgnus vītae monasticae.
126.27 Scrīpsērunt dē eō quaedam memoriae sanctae posterīs.
126.28 Fēcit quaedam mīrācula māgna in nōmine Christī.
126.29 In quādam hōrā ultimā praedīxit obitum suum.
126.30 Relīquit nōbīs quoddam exemplum perfectum sequendum.
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The use of quīdam in hagiographical narrative reveals specific patterns that English speakers should understand: -
Narrative Introduction Formulas -
"Erat quīdam iuvenis" - Standard hagiographical opening -
Compare English "There was once a young man" -
Creates historical distance while maintaining specificity -
Varied Placement for Effect -
Initial position: "Quīdam frātrēs vēnērunt" (emphasis on indefiniteness) -
Post-nominal: "senex quīdam" (emphasis on the noun) -
With prepositional phrases: "in quōdam antrō" (locative vagueness) -
Different Cases in Context -
Nominative: "quīdam senex" (subject) -
Accusative: "quandam vōcem" (direct object) -
Dative: "quibusdam discipulīs" (indirect object) -
Ablative: "quōdam modō" (manner), "quādam hōrā" (time when) -
Plural Forms -
"quīdam frātrēs" (certain brothers) -
"quibusdam daemonibus" (by certain demons) -
"quaedam memoriae" (certain memoirs) -
Note: Maintains indefiniteness even in plural -
Special Constructions in Religious Narrative -
With abstract nouns: "quaedam virtūs dīvīna" (emphasizes mysterious nature) -
With time expressions: "quodam diē" (marks significant moments) -
With miraculous events: "quaedam lūx caelestis" (supernatural uncertainty) -
Stylistic Functions -
Humility topos: Saints referred to as "quidam" even when famous -
Mystery enhancement: Divine manifestations as "quaedam" -
Narrative pacing: "Quodam die" signals important events -
Source protection: "quibusdam" for unnamed witnesses
This genre section demonstrates how quīdam functions as a key element in Christian Latin storytelling, creating a reverent narrative distance while maintaining the reality of the events described.
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