Duolingo Latin vs. Latindictionary.io: Which Should You Use?

Duolingo has made Latin accessible to millions, but many users find themselves stuck when they try to move from "learning the basics" to "reading real Latin."

If you're using Duolingo, here is how latindictionary.io can help you fill the gaps and master the language.

Duolingo: The Strengths

Duolingo is excellent for:

• Consistency: The "streak" system keeps you coming back every day.
• Vocabulary: You learn basic nouns and verbs in a low-stress environment.
• Pronunciation: Hearing the words spoken helps build an auditory connection.

The Missing Piece: Deep Grammar

The main limitation of Duolingo Latin is its lack of explicit grammar explanation. You might learn the sentence "Psittacus ebrius est" (The parrot is drunk), but you might not understand why the endings are what they are.

How to Supplement Duolingo with Latindictionary.io

Don't quit your streak! Use our tools to make your Duolingo sessions more effective:

1. Lookup "Weird" Sentences: When Duolingo gives you a confusing sentence, paste it into our Text Analyzer. We’ll show you the exact case, number, and gender of every word.
2. Study the Inflection Tables: Duolingo teaches by pattern recognition. We teach by structure. If you're confused by a verb, look up its full conjugation table on our site.
3. Build Custom Lists: Take the words you're learning on Duolingo and add them to a Word List on our site. Then, use our flashcards to ensure you actually retain them.

The Verdict

Duolingo is a great "game" for getting started, but latindictionary.io is the "tool" you need to actually understand the language. Use Duolingo for your daily habit and use our dictionary for your deep learning.

Level up your Latin: Analyze your Duolingo sentences here.