Each Latin NOUN has two distinct Characteristics. Like their Romantic counterparts, Latin NOUNS have a set GENDER.
They also are classified into different DECLENSIONS. The declension of a noun determines, which ENDINGS that noun can use. These ENDINGS determine whether the noun is SINGULAR or PLURAL and the noun's CASE, which shows how the noun is FUNCTIONING in the sentence.
Latin has FIVE declensions, but the majority of nouns encountered by Latin students are in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd declensions.
To determine a noun's DECLENSION, you must look at its GENITIVE SINGULAR ending (usually the second dictionary entry).
To find a noun's STEM (the base of the noun onto which the ending is added) remove the GENITIVE SINGULAR ENDING
First Declension
Endings are dominated by the letter A
The Genitive singular is "AE"
Gender: overwhelmingly feminine
There are 5 Masculine 1st declension nouns: Nauta (sailor) Agricola (farmer) Poeta (poet) Auriga (chariot driver) Pirata (pirate)
Agricolae Italiae terram magna cura suae reginae laborant.
Nom. plGen sing Acc sing Abl sing Dat. sing
The farmers of Italy work the land with great care for their queen.
Many nouns change their stem from nominative to genitive: nox, noctis (night)
Gender: any
No pattern for the nominative singular
Third Declension i-stems
A subset of 3rd declension nouns have altered endings in some cases and number that favor a long "i" over an "e" or simply add an "i" in front of the traditional ending. Such pattern can be anticipated in the following circumstances:
A neuter noun that ends in -e, -al, or -ar (e.g. mare, animal)
A monosyllabic nominative that has 2 consonants before the genitive -is ending (e.g. pars, partis)
A parisyllabic nominative that ends in -is or -es (e.g. hostis, hostis)
Dux militium hostes virtute civibus oppugnat.
Nom sg Gen plAcc pl Abl sgDat pl
The leader of the soldier attacks the enemies with courage for his citizens.