cervēsa
feminine
Beer in Latin is cervēsa. If unsure, use cervēsa. Wiktionary also lists zȳthum and birra.
Meaning: alcoholic drink made of malt (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cervēsa | feminine | |
| zȳthum | neuter | |
| birra | [ˈbɪr.ra] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈbir.ra] (narrow) |
feminine |
The word refers to an alcoholic drink made of malt. In highly formal settings, one might use the descriptive phrase Potus ex hordeo confectus to describe a drink made from barley.
Which one should you use?
cervēsa is the standard feminine noun for beer. zȳthum is a neuter noun specifically used for Egyptian-style beers or similar fermented beverages. birra is a feminine noun used for beer.
Is it said differently in some regions?
zȳthum is a term adopted into Latin reflecting Egyptian influence, referring to Egyptian-style beers.
How does it change in a sentence?
cervēsa and birra are feminine nouns, while zȳthum is a neuter noun.
Did you know?
- While the Romans loved wine, cervēsa was often viewed as a drink for 'barbarians' in Northern Europe. Roman writers frequently mentioned it when describing the customs of Celtic and Germanic tribes.
- The word zȳthum is a direct loanword from the Greek ζύθον, which in turn came from Ancient Egyptian.
Examples in context
- Birra fuit excellens.The beer was excellent.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use birra.Tatoeba #13882429 by rul, translation #9936578 by ddnktr
- In convivio, amici cerevisiam potabant.At the gathering, friends drank beer.
- Laurentius hospitem suum potum ex hordeo confectum offerebat.Laurentius offered his guest a drink made from barley.
- Amici convivium celebrabant et multam cervisiam bibebant.Friends were celebrating a gathering and drinking a lot of beer.
- in Gallicis regionibus, amici cervesiam bibebant.In the Gallic regions, friends were drinking beer.
- Hanc cervēsam cupio.I want this beer.
- Cervēsa frigida est optima.Cold beer is the best.
Example conversation
Julia and Marcus are at a tavern.
- JuliaMarce, visne cervēsam?Marcus, do you want some beer?
- MarcusIta, cervēsa mihi placet.Yes, I like beer.
- JuliaTunc cervēsam emam.Then I will buy a beer.
- MarcusGrātias tibi ago, Julia.Thank you, Julia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beer” translations and entries birra, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
