natus
[ˈnaː.tʊs]
The English word "born" is translated into Latin as natus.
The term is an adjective meaning "given birth to".
Meaning: given birth to (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, the form of natus must agree with the gender of the person or noun it describes. Use natus for a male, nata for a female and natum for a neuter noun or adjective. If the word is used as a direct object (the accusative case) for a feminine noun, use natam. To express "I was born", use the phrase natus sum if you are male or nata sum if you are female. To say "he was born", use natus est.
Did you know?
- The word natus is closely related to the Greek word 'genesis', which is the origin of many English words involving 'beginning' or 'origin'.
- There is another Latin word, genitus, which is a 'doublet' of natus, meaning they are two different ways to express the same core idea of being born.
- While we often use 'born' as a simple adjective, in Latin it is technically a participle, meaning it functions as a verbal form describing a completed action.
Examples in context
- Ante te natus sum.I was born before you.This sentence uses natus to express being born before someone else.Tatoeba #7055915 by alexmarcelo, translation #7269650 by CarpeLanam
- In Sinis natus sum.I was born in China.This sentence uses natus to specify a place of birth.Tatoeba #8505314 by alexmarcelo, translation #3276502 by keistas
- In Mexico natus est.He was born in Mexico.This sentence uses natus to state that a male was born in a specific location.Tatoeba #8505316 by alexmarcelo, translation #3293888 by CM
- Marcus natus est anno 1980.Marcus was born in the year 1980.
- Anna nata est in urbe Roma.Anna was born in the city of Rome.
- Carolus genitus est anno 1995.Charles was born in the year 1995.
- Julia genita est in oppido Londiniensi.Julia was born in the town of London.
- Thomas in anno 2000 natus est.Thomas was born in the year 2000.
- Miriam in Australiā nascitur.Miriam is born in Australia.
- 85 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aurelia and Quintus are discussing their origins in a garden.
- AureliaUbi natus es, Quinte?Where were you born, Quintus?
- QuintusRomae natus sum.I was born in Rome.
- AureliaEgo in Italia nata sum.I was born in Italy.
- QuintusBene est!That is good!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry natus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries natus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
