dorsum
[ˈdɔr.sũː]neuter
In Latin, the English word 'back' can be translated as dorsum or tergum.
Meaning: the rear of body (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| dorsum | [ˈdɔr.sũː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈdɔr.sum] (narrow) |
neuter |
| tergum | [ˈtɛr.ɡũː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈtɛr.ɡum] (narrow) |
neuter |
Both words refer to the rear part of a body.
Which one should you use?
dorsum is typically used in a more formal, anatomical or technical sense to refer to the back.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both dorsum and tergum are neuter nouns. To say 'of the back', use the genitive singular forms dorsī or tergī respectively. As neuter nouns, they take neuter endings for adjectives and verbs.
Did you know?
- Some linguists suggest that tergum might be related to the English words 'drag' and 'draw'.
- In Latin, the word dorsum is used to describe the back of a human, the back of an animal and even the ridge of a hill.
- The Latin word dorsum is an ancestor of the English word 'dorsal', used to describe the fin on the back of a fish or a dolphin.
Examples in context
- Mundus super dorsum immanis testudinis jacet.The world rests on the back of a great turtle.This sentence uses dorsum to describe the back of a great turtle.Tatoeba #7325303 by CarpeLanam, translation #1682337 by Spamster
- Tergum mihi dolet.My back hurts.This sentence uses tergum to express that one's back hurts.Tatoeba #7054608 by alexmarcelo, translation #881871 by CK
- Ibi locutus est: Salvare, agitur de vita tua, noli respicere post tergum, nec stes in omni circa regione, sed in monte salvum te fac, ne pereas.And they brought him forth, and set him without the city: and there they spoke to him, saying: Save thy life: look not back, neither stay thou in all the country about: but save thy self in the mountain, lest thou be also consumed.This sentence uses tergum in a context of not looking back.Tatoeba #7767125 by carlosalberto, translation #7858762 by carlosalberto
- Ad Romam redīboI will go back to Rome
- Manum suam retraxitShe pulled back her hand
Example conversation
Marcus and Julia are talking about a physical injury.
- MarcusMarce, quid est tibi?Marcus, what is wrong with you?
- JuliaDorsum meum valde dolet.My back hurts very much.
- MarcusDorsumne tuum valde percutisti?Did you hit your back very hard?
- JuliaIta, ad lapidem cecidi.Yes, I fell against a stone.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “back” translations and entries dorsum, tergum, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dorsum, tergum, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
