Expert: Maria - 7/1/2009

Question
Help me Maria.  I am trying to determine the proper translation for 'Protect us' from English to Latin.  I have seen that both 'defende nos' and 'protege nos' are used.  Which is correct?

Answer
Hello,

both "Defende nos" and "Protege nos" are correct.

The only one difference is the verb.

In fact in “Defende nos” there is the verb DEFENDO (I defend / I protect) while in “Protege  nos” there is the verb PROTEGO, I protect /I defend).

In short, you must say “Protege nos”, if you want to emphasize the idea of “ protection”, while you must use “Defende nos”, if you want to emphasize the concept of “defence”.

Have a nice day,
Maria
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-DEFENDE (2nd.person singular, imperative of DEFENDO) or PROTEGE (2nd.person singular, imperative of PROTEGO)= protect

-NOS (direct object in the accusative) = us