Expert: Maria - 8/7/2008

Question
Can you tell me the breakdown english translation of the phrase "expectata dies
aderat."  Also, do you know how to say something like "to wherever it may lead"
in latin?  Thanks so much!!!

Answer
Hello,

First of all the Latin phrase “Exspectata dies aderat” which is a quotation from Virgil’s Aeneid, book 5, line 105, means “The longed-for day arrived “, i.e.  “The longed-for day came at last”.

As for its breakdown, here it is:

-EXSPECTATA (nominative feminine of the  past participle of the verb EXSPECTO. This participle is agreed with the nominative feminine DIES, ‘day’) = longed-for/expected/ wished-for

-DIES( subject in the nominative feminine, 5th.declension)= the day

-ADERAT (imperfect indicative, 3rd person singular of the verb ADSUM) = arrived/ came.


With regard to the phrase  “to wherever it may lead “, its literal translation would be  the following:

-“Quocumque id ducere potest”.

Note that:

- to wherever = QUOCUMQUE (adverb of motion)

-it = ID (subject in the nominative neuter of the pronoun IS)

-may = POTEST (3rd.person singular, present indicative of POSSUM, I may, I can)

-lead = DUCERE (infinitive of DUCO, I lead)

Best regards,
Maria