From the Commercial Dialogues of Juan Luis Vives, Linguae Latinae Exercitatio (1539)
Welcome back to the Latinum Institute Neo-Latin Colloquia series! In this fifteenth lesson, we turn our attention to the vibrant world of Renaissance commerce. After mastering morning routines, school life, and domestic conversations, we now accompany our characters to the marketplace—the forum or mercatus—where practical Latin truly comes alive.
Juan Luis Vives (1492–1540), the great Valencian humanist, understood that students needed vocabulary for everyday commercial transactions. His marketplace dialogues equip learners with the essential phrases for buying and selling—skills that remained vital for travelers across Europe where Latin served as the lingua franca of educated commerce.
Link to Course Index:
https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ: What is this dialogue about?
This lesson presents a commercial dialogue between Aemilius, a buyer (emptor), and Crispus, a shopkeeper (caupo). The conversation follows the natural flow of a market transaction: greeting, inquiry about goods, sampling wine, price negotiation, and completing the purchase. Along the way, we encounter the ablative of price, commercial imperatives, and the characteristic Latin bargaining formulas that Renaissance merchants would have recognized instantly.
Key Takeaways:
The market dialogue introduces essential commercial vocabulary including vendere (to sell), emere (to buy), and constare (to cost). You will learn to ask prices using Quantum constat?, express that something is too expensive with Nimis carum est!, and negotiate with phrases like dare possum (I can give/pay). The lesson also covers the ablative of price construction—a fundamental pattern for all monetary expressions in Latin.
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The text below follows Renaissance humanist conventions while remaining accessible to modern learners.
¹ Hispanum: The adjective form for “Spanish.” Renaissance Latin commonly used national adjectives with vinum to indicate wine origins.
² Mehercle: A contracted oath meaning “by Hercules!” (me Hercules adjuvet). This colloquial interjection was beloved by Roman comedy writers and revived enthusiastically by humanist dialogue authors.
³ denarius: The standard Roman silver coin, used conventionally in Renaissance Latin to represent any monetary unit. Ten denarii would have been a substantial sum.
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Interlocutōrēs: Aemilius (emptor), Crispus (caupo)
1.1a Salve, hail amice! friend Quid what hodie today vendis do-you-sell in in taberna shop tua? your [INT]
1.1b Salve (SAL-veh) hail amice (ah-MEE-keh) friend! Quid (kwid) what hodie (HO-dee-eh) today vendis (VEN-dis) do-you-sell in (in) in taberna (tah-BER-nah) shop tua (TOO-ah) your?
1.2a Salvus well sis! may-you-be Multas many res things habeo. I-have [SVO]
1.2b Salvus (SAL-voos) well sis (sees) may-you-be! Multas (MOOL-tahs) many res (rehs) things habeo (HA-beh-o) I-have.
1.3a Vinum, wine oleum, oil panem, bread caseum. cheese Quid what tibi to-you opus need est? is [IDIOM]
1.3b Vinum (VEE-noom) wine, oleum (O-leh-oom) oil, panem (PA-nem) bread, caseum (KA-seh-oom) cheese. Quid (kwid) what tibi (TI-bee) to-you opus (O-poos) need est (est) is?
1.4a Vinum wine optimum best quaero. I-seek Habesne do-you-have vinum wine Hispanum? Spanish [SOV]
1.4b Vinum (VEE-noom) wine optimum (OP-ti-moom) best quaero (KWAI-ro) I-seek. Habesne (HA-bes-neh) do-you-have vinum (VEE-noom) wine Hispanum (his-PA-noom) Spanish?
1.5a Certe certainly habeo. I-have Ecce! behold Hoc this vinum wine est is ex from Hispania. Spain [SVO]
1.5b Certe (CHER-teh) certainly habeo (HA-beh-o) I-have. Ecce (EK-keh) behold! Hoc (hok) this vinum (VEE-noom) wine est (est) is ex (eks) from Hispania (his-PA-nee-ah) Spain.
1.6a Gustare to-taste vis? do-you-wish [INF]
1.6b Gustare (goos-TA-reh) to-taste vis (vees) do-you-wish?
1.7a Da give mihi to-me paululum. a-little [IMP]
1.7b Da (dah) give mihi (MI-hee) to-me paululum (pow-LOO-loom) a-little.
1.8a Mehercle! by-Hercules Bonum good est! it-is Quantum how-much constat? does-it-cost [INT]
1.8b Mehercle (meh-HER-kleh) by-Hercules! Bonum (BO-noom) good est (est) it-is! Quantum (KWAN-toom) how-much constat (KON-staht) does-it-cost?
1.9a Decem ten denariis denarii amphora. per-amphora [EF]
1.9b Decem (DEH-kem) ten denariis (deh-NA-ree-ees) denarii^ABL.PRICE amphora (AM-fo-rah) per-amphora.
1.10a Decem? ten Nimis too-much carum expensive est! it-is [EXCL]
1.10b Decem (DEH-kem) ten? Nimis (NI-mis) too-much carum (KA-room) expensive est (est) it-is!
1.11a Octo eight denarios denarii dare to-give possum. I-am-able [SVO]
1.11b Octo (OK-to) eight denarios (deh-NA-ree-os) denarii^ACC dare (DA-reh) to-give possum (POS-soom) I-am-able.
1.12a Amice, friend hoc this pretium price est is nimis too parvum. small [SVO]
1.12b Amice (ah-MEE-keh) friend, hoc (hok) this pretium (PREH-tsee-oom) price est (est) is nimis (NI-mis) too parvum (PAR-voom) small.
1.13a Novem nine denariis denarii tibi to-you vendere to-sell possum. I-am-able [SOV]
1.13b Novem (NO-vem) nine denariis (deh-NA-ree-ees) denarii^ABL.PRICE tibi (TI-bee) to-you vendere (VEN-deh-reh) to-sell possum (POS-soom) I-am-able.
1.14a Bene. well Novem nine denarii. denarii Accipe take pecuniam. money [IMP]
1.14b Bene (BEH-neh) well/agreed. Novem (NO-vem) nine denarii (deh-NA-ree-ee) denarii. Accipe (AK-ki-peh) take pecuniam (peh-KOO-nee-ahm) money.
1.15a Da give mihi to-me duas two amphoras. amphorae [IMP]
1.15b Da (dah) give mihi (MI-hee) to-me duas (DOO-ahs) two amphoras (am-FO-rahs) amphorae.
1.16a Gratias thanks tibi to-you ago. I-give Visne do-you-wish aliud? another-thing [IDIOM]
1.16b Gratias (GRA-tsee-ahs) thanks tibi (TI-bee) to-you ago (A-go) I-give. Visne (VIS-neh) do-you-wish aliud (A-lee-ood) another-thing?
1.17a Etiam also panem bread recentem. fresh Quantum how-much constat? does-it-cost [INT]
1.17b Etiam (EH-tsee-ahm) also panem (PA-nem) bread recentem (reh-CHEN-tem) fresh. Quantum (KWAN-toom) how-much constat (KON-staht) does-it-cost?
1.18a Tres three asses asses panis of-bread unus. one [EF]
1.18b Tres (trehs) three asses (AS-sehs) asses^ABL.PRICE panis (PA-nis) of-bread^GEN unus (OO-noos) one.
1.19a Da give mihi to-me duos two panes. loaves Ecce! behold Sex six asses. asses [IMP]
1.19b Da (dah) give mihi (MI-hee) to-me duos (DOO-os) two panes (PA-nehs) loaves. Ecce (EK-keh) behold! Sex (seks) six asses (AS-sehs) asses.
1.20a Optime! excellent Vale farewell et and bene well ambula! walk [IMP]
1.20b Optime (OP-ti-meh) excellent! Vale (VA-leh) farewell et (et) and bene (BEH-neh) well ambula (AM-boo-lah) walk!
1.21a Et and tu you vale! farewell Fortasse perhaps cras tomorrow reveniam. I-will-return [SVO]
1.21b Et (et) and tu (too) you vale (VA-leh) farewell! Fortasse (for-TAS-seh) perhaps cras (krahs) tomorrow reveniam (reh-VEH-nee-ahm) I-will-return.
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Salve, amice! Quid hodie vendis in taberna tua? Greetings, friend! What are you selling today in your shop? [INT] -
Salvus sis! Multas res habeo. May you be well! I have many things. [SVO] -
Vinum, oleum, panem, caseum. Quid tibi opus est? Wine, oil, bread, cheese. What do you need? [IDIOM] -
Vinum optimum quaero. Habesne vinum Hispanum? I’m looking for the best wine. Do you have Spanish wine? [SOV] -
Certe habeo. Ecce! Hoc vinum est ex Hispania. I certainly do. Look! This wine is from Spain. [SVO] -
Gustare vis? Do you want to taste it? -
Da mihi paululum. Give me a little. [IMP] -
Mehercle! Bonum est! Quantum constat? By Hercules! It’s good! How much does it cost? [INT] -
Decem denariis amphora. Ten denarii per amphora. [EF] -
Decem? Nimis carum est! Ten? That’s too expensive! -
Octo denarios dare possum. I can pay eight denarii. [SVO] -
Amice, hoc pretium est nimis parvum. Friend, this price is too low. [SVO] -
Novem denariis tibi vendere possum. I can sell it to you for nine denarii. [SOV] -
Bene. Novem denarii. Accipe pecuniam. Agreed. Nine denarii. Take the money. [IMP] -
Da mihi duas amphoras. Give me two amphorae. [IMP] -
Gratias tibi ago. Visne aliud? Thank you. Do you want anything else? [IDIOM] -
Etiam panem recentem. Quantum constat? Also fresh bread. How much does it cost? [INT] -
Tres asses panis unus. Three asses for one loaf. [EF] -
Da mihi duos panes. Ecce! Sex asses. Give me two loaves. Here! Six asses. [IMP] -
Optime! Vale et bene ambula! Excellent! Farewell and walk well! [IMP] -
Et tu vale! Fortasse cras reveniam. And farewell to you! Perhaps I’ll return tomorrow. [SVO]
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INTERLOCUTŌRĒS: Aemilius (emptor), Crispus (caupo)
AEM: Salve, amice! Quid hodie vendis in taberna tua?
CRI: Salvus sis! Multas res habeo. Vinum, oleum, panem, caseum. Quid tibi opus est?
AEM: Vinum optimum quaero. Habesne vinum Hispanum?
CRI: Certe habeo. Ecce! Hoc vinum est ex Hispania. Gustare vis?
AEM: Da mihi paululum. Mehercle! Bonum est! Quantum constat?
CRI: Decem denariis amphora.
AEM: Decem? Nimis carum est! Octo denarios dare possum.
CRI: Amice, hoc pretium est nimis parvum. Novem denariis tibi vendere possum.
AEM: Bene. Novem denarii. Accipe pecuniam. Da mihi duas amphoras.
CRI: Gratias tibi ago. Visne aliud?
AEM: Etiam panem recentem. Quantum constat?
CRI: Tres asses panis unus.
AEM: Da mihi duos panes. Ecce! Sex asses.
CRI: Optime! Vale et bene ambula!
AEM: Et tu vale! Fortasse cras reveniam.
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These are the grammar rules for this text.
The single most important grammatical concept in this lesson is the ablative of price—the case Latin uses to express how much something costs or is sold for.
When stating a specific price, Latin places the amount in the ablative case without a preposition. Thus decem denariis means “for ten denarii” and tribus assibus means “for three asses.” This differs from English, which uses “for” explicitly. The pattern follows this form: ABLATIVE.AMOUNT + verb of buying/selling/costing.
Compare these examples from our text: Decem denariis amphora (Ten denarii per amphora), Novem denariis tibi vendere possum (I can sell to you for nine denarii), Tres asses panis unus (Three asses for one loaf).
Note that when the buyer states what they can give, the accusative is used with the infinitive dare: Octo denarios dare possum (I can give eight denarii). This is because dare takes a direct object, whereas constare (to cost) and vendere (to sell) in price expressions use the ablative.
This dialogue demonstrates several characteristic Latin word order patterns common in colloquial speech.
Interrogative Fronting [INT]: Question words naturally move to the front: Quid hodie vendis? (What today do-you-sell?) and Quantum constat? (How-much does-it-cost?). The verb typically follows immediately after the question word.
Classical Object-Verb Order [SOV]: When emphasizing what is sought or desired, Latin places the object before the verb: Vinum optimum quaero (Wine best I-seek). This focuses attention on the wine rather than the action of seeking.
Emphatic Fronting [EF]: Price statements often front the amount for clarity: Decem denariis amphora places the crucial information—the price—first. Similarly, Tres asses panis unus leads with the cost.
Simple SVO Order [SVO]: In straightforward declarative statements, humanist Latin often follows Subject-Verb-Object order parallel to the vernacular: Multas res habeo (Many things I-have), though even here the object may precede.
Imperative Constructions [IMP]: Commands are direct and efficient: Da mihi (Give to-me), Accipe pecuniam (Take the-money). The dative of the person receiving (mihi, tibi) follows the imperative verb.
This phrase literally means “what is a need to you?” but idiomatically translates as “what do you need?” The construction uses the neuter noun opus (need, work) with the dative of the person experiencing the need (tibi) and the nominative of the thing needed (quid). This is a dative of reference construction—the dative indicates the person “with reference to whom” the need exists.
The idiom gratias tibi ago uses the accusative gratias (thanks) as the direct object of ago (I do, perform, give). Literally “I perform thanks to you,” this is the standard Latin formula for expressing gratitude. The person thanked appears in the dative (tibi).
Learners often confuse the ablative and accusative with price expressions. Remember: use the ablative when stating what something costs or what you’re selling it for (decem denariis constat); use the accusative when stating what you’re giving as payment (decem denarios do).
Another common error is forgetting the enclitic -ne for yes/no questions. Habesne? (Do you have?) requires this particle attached to the first word, unlike English where word order alone signals a question.
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accipere (accipiō, accēpī, acceptum) v. 3rd conj. — to receive, accept, take. From ad- + capere (to take). Cf. English “accept.”
aliud pron. neut. nom./acc. — another thing, something else. From alius, alia, aliud (other). Cf. English “alias.”
ambula (ambulāre) v. imp. 2sg — walk! From ambulāre (to walk). Cf. English “ambulatory,” “amble.”
amphora, -ae f. 1st decl. — large jar for wine/oil, amphora. Greek loanword ἀμφορεύς. Standard measure of about 26 liters.
as, assis m. 3rd decl. — as (small copper coin). The as was worth 1/16 of a denarius. Cf. English “ace.”
bene adv. — well, good. Cf. English “benefit,” “benevolent.”
carum adj. nom./acc. sg. neut. — dear, expensive. From cārus, -a, -um. Cf. English “cherish” (via French).
caseus, -ī m. 2nd decl. — cheese. Cf. English “casein” (milk protein).
caupo, -ōnis m. 3rd decl. — shopkeeper, innkeeper. Related to German kaufen (to buy).
certē adv. — certainly, surely. From certus (certain). Cf. English “certain.”
cōnstāre (cōnstō, cōnstitī) v. 1st conj. — to cost, stand firm. Impersonal: quantum cōnstat? = how much does it cost?
crās adv. — tomorrow. Cf. English “procrastinate.”
dare (dō, dedī, datum) v. 1st conj. — to give. Cf. English “data” (things given), “donation.”
decem num. indecl. — ten. Cf. English “decimal,” “decade.”
dēnārius, -iī m. 2nd decl. — denarius (silver coin). Worth about a day’s wage for a laborer. From dēnī (ten each), originally worth 10 asses.
duo, duae, duo num. — two. Cf. English “dual,” “duet.”
ecce interj. — behold! look! Presentational particle drawing attention.
emptor, -ōris m. 3rd decl. — buyer, purchaser. From emere (to buy). Legal maxim: caveat emptor (let the buyer beware).
etiam adv. — also, even, still. From et + iam (and now).
ex prep. + abl. — from, out of. Cf. English prefix “ex-.”
fortasse adv. — perhaps, possibly. From forte (by chance) + an + sit (whether it be).
grātiae, -ārum f. pl. — thanks. Grātiās agere = to give thanks. Cf. English “gratitude.”
gustāre (gustō) v. 1st conj. — to taste, sample. Cf. English “gusto,” “gustatory.”
habēre (habeō, habuī, habitum) v. 2nd conj. — to have, hold. Cf. English “habit.”
Hispānia, -ae f. 1st decl. — Spain. Roman province encompassing the Iberian Peninsula.
Hispānus, -a, -um adj. — Spanish, Hispanic.
hodiē adv. — today. From hōc diē (on this day).
mercātus, -ūs m. 4th decl. — market, trade, commerce. From mercārī (to trade). Cf. English “market,” “merchant.”
nimis adv. — too much, excessively.
novem num. indecl. — nine. Cf. English “November” (originally ninth month).
octō num. indecl. — eight. Cf. English “October,” “octave.”
oleum, -ī n. 2nd decl. — oil, olive oil. Greek loanword ἔλαιον. Cf. English “oil,” “petroleum.”
optimē adv. superl. — very well, excellently. From bonus.
optimus, -a, -um adj. superl. — best, excellent. Superlative of bonus. Cf. English “optimum.”
opus, operis n. 3rd decl. — need, work, deed. Opus est + dat. = there is need. Cf. English “opus,” “operate.”
pānis, -is m. 3rd decl. — bread, loaf. Cf. Spanish pan, French pain, English “pantry.”
parvus, -a, -um adj. — small, little. Cf. English “parvitude.”
paululum adv./n. — a little bit, slightly. Diminutive of paulum.
pecūnia, -ae f. 1st decl. — money. Originally from pecus (cattle), as livestock was early currency. Cf. English “pecuniary.”
posse (possum, potuī) v. irreg. — to be able. From potis (able) + esse (to be). Cf. English “potent.”
pretium, -iī n. 2nd decl. — price, value, worth. Cf. English “precious,” “appreciate.”
quaerere (quaerō, quaesīvī, quaesītum) v. 3rd conj. — to seek, ask for, inquire. Cf. English “query,” “quest.”
quantum interrog. adv./pron. — how much? how great? From quantus. Cf. English “quantity.”
recēns, recentis adj. 3rd decl. — fresh, recent, new. Cf. English “recent.”
revenīre (reveniō, revēnī, reventum) v. 4th conj. — to come back, return. From re- + venīre.
salvē interj./imp. — hail! greetings! be well! From salvēre (to be in good health).
salvus, -a, -um adj. — safe, well, healthy. Salvus sīs = may you be well (optative subjunctive).
sex num. indecl. — six. Cf. English “sextet,” “sextant.”
taberna, -ae f. 1st decl. — shop, inn, tavern. Cf. English “tavern.”
trēs, tria num. — three. Cf. English “trinity,” “trio.”
vendere (vendō, vendidī, venditum) v. 3rd conj. — to sell. From vēnum (sale) + dare (to give). Cf. English “vend,” “vendor.”
vīnum, -ī n. 2nd decl. — wine. Cf. English “wine,” “vinegar,” “vineyard.”
vīsne = vīs + -ne — do you wish? Interrogative form of velle (to wish).
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A simpler version for beginning learners
AEM: Salvē! Quid vendis?
CRI: Salvē! Vinum habeō et panem.
AEM: Vinum volō. Bonum est?
CRI: Ita. Vinum bonum est.
AEM: Quantum cōnstat?
CRI: Decem dēnāriīs.
AEM: Nimis cārum est! Octō dēnāriōs dō.
CRI: Novem?
AEM: Bene. Accipe pecūniam.
CRI: Grātiās! Valē!
AEM: Et tū valē!
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From the style of Juan Luis Vives, Linguae Latinae Exercitatio (1539)
COLLOQUIUM DE MERCATU
Interlocutōrēs: Aemilius emptor, Crispus caupo
AEM. Salvē, amīce! Quid hodiē vendis in tabernā tuā?
CRI. Salvus sīs! Multās rēs habeō. Vīnum, oleum, pānem, cāseum. Quid tibī opus est?
AEM. Vīnum optimum quaerō. Habēsne vīnum Hispānum?
CRI. Certē habeō. Ecce! Hoc vīnum est ex Hispāniā. Gustāre vīs?
AEM. Dā mihi paululum. [gustat] Mehercle! Bonum est! Quantum cōnstat?
CRI. Decem dēnāriīs amphora.
AEM. Decem? Nimis cārum est! Octō dēnāriōs dare possum.
CRI. Amīce, hoc pretium est nimis parvum. Novem dēnāriīs tibī vendere possum.
AEM. Bene. Novem dēnāriī. Accipe pecūniam. Dā mihi duās amphorās.
CRI. Grātiās tibī agō. Vīsne aliud?
AEM. Etiam pānem recentem. Quantum cōnstat?
CRI. Trēs assēs pānis ūnus.
AEM. Dā mihi duōs pānēs. Ecce! Sex assēs.
CRI. Optimē! Valē et bene ambulā!
AEM. Et tū valē! Fortasse crās reveniam.
FINIS COLLOQUIĪ
Source: Adapted from the commercial dialogue patterns of Juan Luis Vives (1492–1540), Linguae Latinae Exercitatio, published 1539. Vives’ marketplace dialogues were widely used throughout European schools to teach practical conversational Latin.
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Colloquium Novum: Apud Tabernam Caffeae (At the Coffee Shop)
Interlocutōrēs: Marcus (emptor), Lucia (ministra)
MAR: Salvē! Caffeum, quaesō, volō.
LUC: Salvē! Caffeum magnum an parvum?
MAR: Magnum, sī placet. Et cum lacte.
LUC: Caffeum magnum cum lacte. Vīsne saccharum?
MAR: Nōn, grātiās. Sine saccharō. Quantum cōnstat?
LUC: Quattuor dollariīs.
MAR: Habēsne etiam crustula?
LUC: Ita, habeō. Crustulum saccharātum et crustulum cum mālīs.
MAR: Crustulum cum mālīs mihi dā. Quantum cōnstat?
LUC: Tribus dollariīs. Septem dollariīs omnīnō.
MAR: Ecce! Decem dollariī. Retinē reliquum!
LUC: Ō, grātiās maximās! Hīc est caffeum tuum.
MAR: Optimē! Caffeum bonum olet.
LUC: Ex Columbiā venit. Hodiē recēns est.
MAR: Excellenter! Valē et bonam diem habē!
LUC: Et tū! Revenī mox!
MAR: Hello! I’d like coffee, please.
LUC: Hello! Large or small coffee?
MAR: Large, please. And with milk.
LUC: Large coffee with milk. Do you want sugar?
MAR: No, thanks. Without sugar. How much does it cost?
LUC: Four dollars.
MAR: Do you also have pastries?
LUC: Yes, I do. A sugar pastry and one with apples.
MAR: Give me the one with apples. How much does it cost?
LUC: Three dollars. Seven dollars total.
MAR: Here! Ten dollars. Keep the change!
LUC: Oh, thank you very much! Here is your coffee.
MAR: Excellent! The coffee smells good.
LUC: It comes from Colombia. Today it’s fresh.
MAR: Excellent! Farewell and have a good day!
LUC: And you! Come back soon!
caffeum, -ī n. — coffee (Neo-Latin neologism from Arabic qahwa)
crustulum, -ī n. — pastry, cookie (diminutive of crustum, crust)
dollārius, -iī m. — dollar (modern Latin adaptation)
ministra, -ae f. — server, attendant (feminine of minister)
saccharum, -ī n. — sugar (from Greek σάκχαρον)
mālum, -ī n. — apple (Classical Latin)
Columbiā — Colombia (modern place name)
reliquum, -ī n. — the remainder, change (from relinquere)
olēre (oleō) v. — to smell (of)
excellenter adv. — excellently (Neo-Latin formation)
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This lesson is part of the Latinum Institute Neo-Latin Colloquia series, teaching Latin through authentic Renaissance dialogues. The Latinum Institute has been creating Latin learning materials since 2006, pioneering a text-based autodidact approach that emphasizes conversational fluency through extensive reading and listening.
Our methodology draws on the historical success of school colloquia—the Renaissance Latin conversation manuals used across European schools for centuries. By engaging with real humanist texts, learners absorb natural speech patterns and practical vocabulary that no grammar-translation approach can replicate.
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In our next lesson (Lesson 16), we will explore Mosellanus’s Paedologia and the Salutatio Matutina—the morning greetings exchanged between Renaissance schoolboys, continuing our journey through the practical Latin of everyday life.
Valēte omnēs et linguam Latīnam semper exercēte!
◊ᴺᵉˣᵃˡ.ᴹᴱᴿᶜᴬᵀᵁˢ.ˣᵛ
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