barbarus
[ˈbar.ba.rʊs]
The English word barbarian is translated into Latin as barbarus.
As a noun, barbarus refers to a person who is cruel, savage or brutal, specifically someone characterized by a lack of pity or humanity.
Meaning: a cruel, savage, brutal person, one without pity or humanity (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is an onomatopoeic imitation of foreign speech that sounds unintelligible to Latin speakers.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In later periods of Latin, the term gentilis became more prevalent than barbarus.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word follows second declension adjective and noun patterns. The masculine singular form is barbarus, and the plural is barbari. To refer to a female barbarian, use the feminine singular form barbarae. For the accusative singular, use barbarum and for the genitive plural, use barbarorum.
Did you know?
- The word barbarus is a direct loan from the Ancient Greek bárbaros. This shows that the Romans adopted the Greek perspective on foreign languages and cultures.
- In certain legal contexts of the Roman Empire, being labeled a barbarus could affect a person's rights and their ability to hold certain public offices.
- Latin authors sometimes used the phrase barbarus ironically to describe Romans who behaved crudely, suggesting that savagery could exist inside the city walls.
Examples in context
- Barbarus non sum.I'm not a barbarian.This sentence uses barbarus to express a personal denial of being a barbarian.Tatoeba #6930932 by soweli_Elepanto, translation #5851593 by CK
- Barbarus es, Thoma.You're a barbarian, Tom.This sentence uses barbarus to label someone as a barbarian.Tatoeba #9096210 by shekitten, translation #9093973 by shekitten
- Multi barbari ad urbem veneruntMany barbarians came to the city
- Iste barbarus est crudelis.That barbarian is cruel.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two Roman citizens are discussing a captured prisoner.
- GaiusVidesne hunc hominem?Do you see this man?
- JuliaIta, sed barbarus videtur.Yes, but he seems like a barbarian.
- GaiusEstne vero crudelis?Is he truly cruel?
- JuliaEtiam, sine pietate vivit.Indeed, he lives without pity.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry barbarus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries barbarus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
