Latin
(das) Latein
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Latin
The language of the ancient Romans, which was later used in Europe for a long time as the language of science and the Church.
Im Mittelalter schrieben Gelehrte ihre Bücher meist auf Latein.
In the Middle Ages, scholars usually wrote their books in Latin.
Latin
A school subject in which students learn the Latin language and read and translate Latin texts.
In Latein hat sie dieses Jahr eine gute Note bekommen.
She got a good grade in Latin this year.
to be at one's wit's end
Colloquial: To be unable to make any further progress with one's knowledge or skills and unable to find a solution.
Auch die erfahrene Mechanikerin war bei diesem Motorschaden mit ihrem Latein am Ende.
Even the experienced mechanic was at her wit's end with this engine failure.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Latein |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | (das) Latein | – |
| accusative | (das) Latein | – |
| dative | (dem) Latein | – |
| genitive | des Latein des Lateins | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
You can often tell whether “Latein” (Latin) refers to the language or the school subject from the surrounding context: words such as “Römer” (Romans), “Inschrift” (inscription), and “Kirche” (Church) point to the language; “Note” (grade), “Unterricht” (lessons), and “Hausaufgaben” (homework) point to the school subject.
Das Latein auf der alten Inschrift ist nur schwer zu entziffern.
The Latin on the old inscription is difficult to decipher.
In Latein schreibt unsere Klasse nächste Woche eine Arbeit.
Our class is taking a Latin test next week.
As a school subject, “Latein” (Latin) often appears in expressions such as “eine Note in Latein bekommen” (to get a grade in Latin), “in Latein geprüft werden” (to be tested in Latin), or “Latein lernen” (to learn Latin). The preposition “in” is especially common when referring to performance in this subject.
Im Abitur wird sie auch in Latein geprüft.
She will also be tested in Latin in her final school exams.
In the idiom “mit seinem Latein am Ende sein” (to be at one's wit's end), the possessive pronoun is adjusted to match the person. The expression is used with “sein” (to be) and describes someone who can no longer find a solution to a problem.
Nach stundenlanger Suche war der Techniker mit seinem Latein am Ende.
After searching for hours, the technician was at his wit's end.
