bēstia
feminine
The English word "beast" can be translated into Latin as bēstia. Wiktionary also lists fera.
Meaning: non-human animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bēstia | feminine | |
| fera | [ˈfɛ.ra] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈfɛː.ra] (narrow) |
feminine |
In Latin, these terms are used to describe non-human animals.
Which one should you use?
While bēstia is a general term for a non-human animal, fera specifically refers to a wild or untamed beast.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the feminine noun bēstia is bēstiae. The plural form of the feminine noun fera is ferae. If the wild beast is the direct object of a verb, use the accusative form feram.
Did you know?
- In Latin, animals like cattle are often called pecus, a word that shares a root with the English word 'pecuniary' because livestock were once used as currency.
- The Latin term ferae was often used in the context of the 'venationes', which were the public beast hunts performed in Roman arenas.
- Roman authors often used bēstia as a metaphor for a person who lacked reason or self-control, effectively calling them 'brutish'.
Examples in context
- Quam cum agnovisset pater, ait: Tunica filii mei est, fera pessima comedit eum, bestia devoravit Ioseph.And the father acknowledging it, said: It is my son's coat, an evil wild beast hath eaten him, a beast hath devoured Joseph.This sentence shows the use of fera to describe an evil wild beast.Tatoeba #7871276 by carlosalberto, translation #7871294 by carlosalberto
- Et mutuo loquebantur: Ecce somniator venit, venite, occidamus eum et mittamus in unam cisternarum dicemusque: Fera pessima devoravit eum. Et tunc apparebit quid illi prosint somnia sua.And said one to another: Behold the dreamer cometh. Come, let us kill him, and cast him into some old pit: and we will say: Some evil beast hath devoured him: and then it shall appear what his dreams avail him.This sentence demonstrates using fera to describe a beast that has devoured someone.Tatoeba #7869830 by carlosalberto, translation #7869838 by carlosalberto
- fera magnaMighty beast
- bestiola teneraSweet little beast
- In silva bēstia magna habitat.A large beast lives in the forest.
Example conversation
Marcus and Aurelia are looking at a strange animal in the garden.
- MarcusQuid est haec bēstia, Aurelia?What is this beast, Aurelia?
- AureliaNescio, sed terribilis videtur.I do not know, but it seems scary.
- MarcusFortasse bēstia ex Africa venit.Perhaps the beast came from Africa.
- AureliaEamus procul ab eā.Let us go far away from it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beast” translations and entries fera, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
