Latin Pronunciation: Exercitui

by Dick
(Orinda, California)

Dear Latin Teacher,

Is the word exercitui stressed on the letter i (interpreting the letter u as a full vowel), or is it pronounced on the second letter e (interpreting the letter u as a semivowel)?

I prefer exércitui over exercítui just because it seems more euphonious when reciting the whole declension, but I fear I may be in error. Nevertheless, exercítui has always bothered me. (Of course this issue only arises with four-syllable 4th declension nouns.)

Thank you.


Dear Dick,

Exercitui is a five syllable word stressed on the third to last syllable, which is the -i-.

The same syllable is stressed in the genitive plural (exercituum) and in the dative/ablative plural (exercitibus).

Hope this helps, and thanks for asking a Latin teacher.

Sincerely,

John

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