In this lesson, you are being introduced to a new case called the dative.

The dative is translated into English with the words "to" or "for."

The word dative comes from the Latin verb dō, dare, dedī, datus: to give, because the dative is best translated as "to" or "for," and the verb dō, dare, dedī, datus very often has a dative noun with it.

For example:

• gladium mīlitī dedī.

• I gave a sword to the soldier.

Let's look at some more examples below.

Here are some other verbs you know that you might see with the dative case.

dēbeō, dēbēre: to owe

• ego amīcō meō pecūniam dēbeō.

• I owe money to my friend.

respondeō, respondēre: to respond, reply

• nōs patrī respondērunt.

• We responded to father.

faciō, facere: to do, make

• pater glādium mīlitī fēcit.

• Father made a sword for the soldier.

nārrō, nārrāre: to tell

• mater fābulam infantī nārrābat.

• The mother was telling a story to the baby.

trādō, trādere: to hand over

• pater glādium mīlitī tradidit.

• Father handed the sword to the soldier.