Reading Passage 3 – Canis fidelis

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(The Faithful Dog)
Theme: Loyalty and Friendship
Grammar Focus: sum, esse (to be); adjectives with nouns
Vocabulary: household, animals, body parts

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Latin Text

1. In domo magna est canis fidelis.
2. Nomen canis est Brutus.
3. Brutus est magnus et albus, sed non ferox.
4. Dominus eum amat, et canis dominum amat.
5. In horto sub arbore Brutus saepe dormit.
6. Oculi eius clari sunt et aures longāe sunt.
7. Cum puero parvo ludit et eum custodit.
8. Puer panem dat cani et aquam in catino ponit.
9. Nox venit; Brutus ante ianuam stat et vigilat.
10. Canis est fessus, sed fidelis manet.

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Literal English Translation

1. In the large house there is a faithful dog.
2. The dog’s name is Brutus.
3. Brutus is big and white, but not fierce.
4. The master loves him, and the dog loves the master.
5. In the garden under a tree Brutus often sleeps.
6. His eyes are bright and his ears are long.
7. He plays with the little boy and guards him.
8. The boy gives bread to the dog and puts water in a bowl.
9. Night comes; Brutus stands before the door and keeps watch.
10. The dog is tired, but remains faithful.

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Word Notes

Latin	Meaning	Grammar Note
canis, canis	dog	3rd declension, m./f.
fidelis, -e	faithful	adjective, 3rd declension
nomen, nominis	name	3rd declension, n.
magnus, -a, -um	large, great	adjective
albus, -a, -um	white	adjective
ferox, ferocis	fierce	adjective, 3rd declension
dominus, -i	master	2nd declension, m.
amat	loves	3rd sg. present of amare
puer, pueri	boy	2nd declension, m.
panis, panis	bread	3rd declension, m.
dat	gives	3rd sg. present of dare
aqua, -ae	water	1st declension, f.
catinus, -i	bowl	2nd declension, m.
nox, noctis	night	3rd declension, f.
ianua, -ae	door	1st declension, f.
stat	stands	3rd sg. present of stare
vigilat	keeps watch	3rd sg. present of vigilare
fessus, -a, -um	tired	adjective
manet	remains, stays	3rd sg. present of manere
cum	with	preposition + ablative

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Grammar Focus

Verb: sum, esse – to be

Person	Latin	Translation
1st sg	sum	I am
2nd sg	es	you are
3rd sg	est	he/she/it is
1st pl	sumus	we are
2nd pl	estis	you (pl) are
3rd pl	sunt	they are

Examples:

• Canis fidelis est. – The dog is faithful.
• Oculi eius clari sunt. – His eyes are bright.
• Nos laeti sumus. – We are happy.

Adjective–Noun Agreement

Adjectives agree with nouns in gender, number, and case.

• canis fidelis – faithful dog (m.)
• domina bona – good mistress (f.)
• malum rubrum – red apple (n.)

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Study Exercise

A. Translate into Latin:

1. The dog is large and brave.
2. The boy gives bread and water.
3. The faithful dog sleeps under the tree.
4. The master loves the dog.
5. The dog is tired but good.

B. Translate into English:

1. Canis cum puero ludit.
2. Brutus ante ianuam stat.
3. Puer aquam in catino ponit.
4. Nox est longa et frigida.
5. Dominus et canis sunt amici.

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Answer Key

A.

1. Canis magnus et fortis est.
2. Puer panem et aquam dat.
3. Canis fidelis sub arbore dormit.
4. Dominus canem amat.
5. Canis fessus sed bonus est.

B.

1. The dog plays with the boy.
2. Brutus stands before the door.
3. The boy puts water in the bowl.
4. The night is long and cold.
5. The master and the dog are friends.

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