I just need help with the Latin translation of “I am the wolf”. Thank you!
“I am the wolf”.
- Thread starter Latin Lover
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"Ego sum lupus" or shorter "Lupus sum".
Thank you so much! I appreciate it! What would the most exact translation of “lupus sum” be in English (considering it's shorter than the other)?
(I) am a wolf. "Ego" means "I".
How about explaining the context of the phrase first, please?
But whether it's better to include it or not depends highly on the context.
“I have heard every last tale of the wolf by now. None of them are true. I am the wolf.”
People are telling stories about a certain wolf. I am that wolf. I am THE wolf.
People are telling stories about a certain wolf. I am that wolf. I am THE wolf.
But don't think that the sentence is incomplete if it isn't included. The "I" part is already understood in the verb sum. Ego is just an "additional" emphatic "I".
In this context ego sum lupus is better. If you really want to emphasize "the", since "the" doesn't really exist in Latin, you could even say ego sum lupus ille, literally "I am that wolf".
Okay, so if “lupus sum" is “I am a wolf”, what would “I am THE wolf” be? Or is there no way to emphasize on that?
Ah, that's wonderful. Thank you so much!
lupus sum can mean either "I am a wolf" or "I am the wolf". It just depends on the context.
Would it work as “I am the wolf" in the context I provided? Also, out of further curiosity, what does “sum” mean?
Sum means "am". Personally I like the version with "ille" that Pacis provided more, it sounds closer. Or at least with "ego".
A big thank you to all who replied! I greatly appreciate it!
I really think it's better with ego.
I didn't mean to suggest otherwise. I was just addressing the definite vs indefinite issue.
Ah, but he was asking about lupus sum (that is, without ego).
You're welcome.
I thought he was asking about lupus vs lupus ille. I feel that ille is hardly necessary if the context immediately precedes the phrase or is otherwise obvious.
How would you translate “wolf of the tales”? “Peter the wolf”?
If you mean "tales" as in "fables", then I'd suggest: Lupus fabularum
I unfortunately don't know the Latin equivalent of "Peter".
I unfortunately don't know the Latin equivalent of "Peter".