Expert: Maria - 11/27/2010

Question
Hi Maria, I'm looking for an accurate translation for "It is
what it is" and "I am what I am". Also a translation for "I am
WHO I am" just so I can see the difference. Thank you! :)

Answer
Hello,

Here are the translations you asked me:

1-“Id est quod est” (It is what it is )

2-“Sum quod sum” (I am what I am)

3-“Sum qui sum” (I am  who I am),as we read in Latin Bible, Exodus 3:14.

See below for grammatical analysis.

Best regards,
Maria
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GRAMMATICAL ANALYSIS OF “It is what it is “ translated as “Id est quod est”:

-It  = ID (subject, nominative neuter of the masculine pronoun IS meaning "he")

-is = EST (3rd.person singular, present indicative of  the verb SUM, I am)

-what = QUOD (nominative neuter of the relative pronoun QUI)

-it is = EST (3rd.person singular, present indicative of  the verb SUM, I am). Latin does not repeat the subject ID (meaning “it”).
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GRAMMATICAL ANALYSIS OF “I am what I am “ translated as “Sum quod sum”:

-I am  = SUM (1st.person singular, present indicative). Latin does not translate the personal pronoun “I” as it is implied in the verb SUM.

-what = QUOD (nominative neuter of the relative pronoun QUI)

-I am = SUM (1st.person singular, present indicative). Latin does not translate the personal pronoun “I” as it is implied in the verb SUM.
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GRAMMATICAL ANALYSIS OF “I am WHO I am “ translated as “Sum QUI sum”:

-I am  = SUM (see above)

-who  = QUI (nominative masculine,relative pronoun)

-I am = SUM (see above)