Can you translate these sentences? Click on each word to reveal its meaning.
Sentence 1:
rexipsehocdixit
Breaking it down:
rex→the king (nominative singular)
ipse→himself (emphasising 'in person')
hoc→this (accusative neuter)
dixit→said (perfect tense)
Sentence 2:
eodemdieomnesredierunt
Breaking it down:
eodem→on the same (ablative masculine/neuter from idem)
die→day (ablative singular)
omnes→all (nominative plural)
redierunt→returned (perfect tense)
ipse, ipsa, ipsum - self
ipse means "self" or "himself/herself/itself" and is used to emphasise that someone did something in person, not through someone else. It commonly implies "personally" or "with one's own hands".
The Key Distinction
The word ipse commonly implies in person (not through someone else). Nominative parts of it can be used regardless of person: nos ipsi nihil audivimus = we ourselves heard nothing.
Case
m
f
n
nom
ipse
ipsa
ipsum
acc
ipsum
ipsam
ipsum
gen
ipsius
ipsius
ipsius
dat
ipsi
ipsi
ipsi
abl
ipso
ipsa
ipso
Case
m
f
n
nom
ipsi
ipsae
ipsa
acc
ipsos
ipsas
ipsa
etc
etc
etc
etc
Note the distinctive genitive and dative singular endings.
Click to see how ipse is used →
Though classed as a pronoun, ipse is very often used with a noun or another pronoun:
regem ipsum vidi.
I saw the king himself.
illi ipsi omnia audiverunt.
Those men themselves heard everything.
It can be added to a reflexive (see pages 26-7) for extra emphasis:
hic miles se ipsum semper laudat.
This soldier always praises himself.
idem, eadem, idem - the same
idem means "the same" and is formed by taking the pronoun is, ea, id (see page 28) and adding -dem to the end, with minor adjustments of spelling.
Formation Rules
The -s of the masculine nominative singular has disappeared, so idem not isdem. The neuter ending in -d already does not double it (so neuter nominative and accusative singular, like masculine nominative, are idem). Any part of the original pronoun ending -m changes it to -n before -dem is added, to ease pronunciation (so masculine accusative singular eundem, not eumdem).
Case
m
f
n
nom
idem
eadem
idem
acc
eundem
eandem
idem
gen
eiusdem
eiusdem
eiusdem
dat
eidem
eidem
eidem
abl
eodem
eadem
eodem
Case
m
f
n
nom
eidem
eaedem
eadem
acc
eosdem
easdem
eadem
gen
eorundem
earundem
eorundem
dat
eisdem
eisdem
eisdem
abl
eisdem
eisdem
eisdem
Again note the distinctive genitive and dative singular endings (this time with -dem added).
Click to see how idem is used →
Like other pronouns, parts of idem can be used alone (supplying a suitable noun in English from gender, number and context), or as an adjective with a noun:
hic senex eadem semper dicit.
This old man always says the same things.
num eundem librum iterum legere vis?
Surely you do not want to read the same book again?
ipse vs idem
It's crucial to distinguish between these two similar-looking pronouns. They have very different meanings!
ipse = self / himself / herself
rex ipse hoc fecit.
The king himself did this. (emphasising he did it in person)
idem = the same
idem rex hoc fecit.
The same king did this. (the king we were just talking about)
ipse with reflexive
miles se ipsum laudat.
The soldier praises himself. (extra emphasis - his very self)
idem with nouns
eodem die redierunt.
They returned on the same day.
Quick Memory Aid
ipse = himself/herself (think "in person") idem = the same (think "identical")
Exercise 15: Self and Same
Click each sentence to reveal the translation.
1. num regis ipsius equum habes?
Surely you do not have the king's own horse?
2. hic puer idem semper rogat.
This boy always asks the same things.
3. consumistisne omnes eundem cibum?
Did you all eat the same food?
4. multa vera de imperatore ipso dicebantur.
Many true things were being said about the emperor himself.
5. haec est villa quam ego ipse aedificavi.
This is the house which I myself built.
6. nonne templum ipse vidisti?
Surely you saw the temple yourself?
7. omnes naves eodem modo factae sunt.
All the ships were made in the same way.
8. cives nuntium ipsum de bello rogaverunt.
The citizens asked the messenger himself about the war.
9. omnes eodem die advenerunt.
All arrived on the same day.
10. donum reginae ipsi mittere volo.
I want to send a gift to the queen herself.
A Roman Story
Read this passage and identify uses of ipse and idem. Use the buttons below to reveal where they appear.
Click buttons to reveal different pronouns
A tale of mistaken identity and clever deception.
consul ipse ad bellum profectus est. milites fortes eodem die convenerunt. imperator dixit se ipsum hostes victurum esse. sed in proelio graviter vulneratus est.
frater eius, qui eandem togam gerebat, in urbem rediit. cives gaudebant quod putabant consulem ipsum redisse. vir autem non ipse consul sed frater erat!
tandem veritas patefacta est. frater dixit se idem facere voluisse quod consul fecisset. cives ipsi irati erant, sed matrem consulis laudaverunt quod duos filios tam similes genuerat.