infans
[ˈĩː.fãːs]feminine, masculine
The Latin word for baby is infans.
infans refers to a very young child or an infant.
Meaning: very young human being (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word infans is built from the prefix in- meaning "not" and the root fans meaning "speaking". Literally, it means "non-speaking" or "one who is not yet able to speak".
How does it change in a sentence?
infans is a third-declension noun. The genitive singular, meaning "of the baby", is infantis, and the plural is infantes.
Did you know?
- In Roman law, an infans was considered to have no legal capacity because they were unable to express their will through speech.
- The word infans comes from the same root as the Latin verb fari , 'to speak', which also gave English the word 'fable'.
- The word infans is a common gender noun in Latin, meaning it can be used for both male and female babies.
Examples in context
- Infans in cunis est.The baby is in the cradle.This sentence shows the use of infans regarding a baby in a cradle.Tatoeba #7108507 by alexmarcelo, translation #7133533 by CarpeLanam
- Fetus infans non est.A fetus is not a baby.This sentence distinguishes between a fetus and an infans.Tatoeba #11594839 by shekitten, translation #11593891 by shekitten
- Ita, mihi est infans.Yes, I have a baby.This sentence demonstrates how to say you have an infans.Tatoeba #12733679 by rul, translation #12733586 by rul
- Infans meus est pulcherMy baby is beautiful
- Infans meus est felixMy baby is happy
- Puerulus dormitThe baby boy is sleeping
- Parvulus tuus est adorabilisYour baby is adorable
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aurelia and Quintus are looking at a new arrival.
- AureliaVide, quantus hic infans est!Look, how big this baby is!
- QuintusIta, sed infans dormit.Yes, but the baby is sleeping.
- AureliaEstne infans filius tuus?Is the baby your son?
- QuintusNon, sed est nepos meus.No, but he is my nephew.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “baby” translations and entries infans, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
