ars
[ˈars]
The English phrase 'art' is expressed in Latin as ars.
Ars is a common and general term used to describe the expression of creative skill and imagination, particularly in visual forms like painting or sculpture.
How does it change in a sentence?
Ars is a third-declension feminine noun. Because of this, its form changes depending on its role in a sentence: it becomes artem when it is the direct object, artis when expressing possession or an 'of art' relationship and the plural form is artēs.
Did you know?
- In Latin, a 'liberal art' ars liberalis was not just a subject of study but a skill befitting a free person rather than a slave.
- The English word 'art' and the Latin ars share a common ancestor with the concept of 'truth' in ancient Persian, where the root meant 'the right or true way' of doing something.
- In the ancient world, the word ars did not just refer to fine arts, but also to any practical skill or craft, such as medicine or carpentry.
Examples in context
- Ars longa, vita brevis.Art is long, life is short.This sentence uses ars to illustrate the contrast between the longevity of art and the brevity of life.Tatoeba #369549 by MUIRIEL, translation #238435 by CK
- Translatio ars est, non scientia.Translation is an art, not a science.This sentence uses ars to distinguish translation as an art rather than a science.Tatoeba #8219236 by carlosalberto, translation #8219007 by Hybrid
- Septima ars cinematographica est.Cinema is the seventh art.This sentence uses ars to refer to cinema as a specific type of art.Tatoeba #11870592 by carlosalberto, translation #11870576 by carlosalberto
- Docta arsLearned art
- Disciplinae artium liberalium desiderabiles sunt.The disciplines of the liberal arts are desirable.
- Pictura est lingua sine verbis.Painting is a language without words.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Marcus and Lucia are visiting a gallery of ancient sculptures.
- MarcusNumquam ars sine labore est.Art is never without labor.
- LuciaIta vero, hoc opus pulchrum est.Indeed, this work is beautiful.
- MarcusArs antiqua mihi valde placet.I really like ancient art.
- LuciaEt mihi valde placet.I like it very much too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ars, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ars, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
