Ways to say it
| Latin | Note |
|---|---|
| Christi Natalis | |
| festum Nativitatis Domini | |
| Nātīvitās | feminine |
The terms used for Christmas refer to the festival or holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. While Christi Natalis is a way to name the holiday, other forms are used depending on whether you are referring to the event itself or the formal liturgical feast day.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Christi Natalis is composed of the genitive form of Christus (Christ) and the noun natalis (birth/birthday), literally meaning "the birth of Christ".
Which one should you use?
Christi Natalis is a direct way to say "Christ's birth." In contrast, festum Nativitatis Domini is a formal liturgical expression used to refer specifically to the feast day itself, translating to "the feast of the Nativity of the Lord".
How does it change in a sentence?
Nātīvitās is a feminine noun that can be used as a shorthand for the holiday, similar to how "Nativity" is used in English.
Did you know?
- While Christi Natalis is the common term, the Roman Catholic Church continues to use the more formal Nativitas Domini in its official Latin liturgical calendar today.
- The Latin word natalis was used by Romans to refer to any birthday long before it was ever associated with the birth of Christ.
- The word natalis is a linguistic relative of the English word 'natal' used in medical terms like 'prenatal'. Both stem from the same ancient root meaning 'birth'.
Examples in context
- In Russia Christi Natalis VII mensis Ianuarii est.In Russia, Christmas is on the seventh of January.This sentence is useful for noting the date of Christmas in Russia using Christi Natalis.Tatoeba #10895165 by carlosalberto, translation #10895137 by carlosalberto
- Christi Natalis est dies laetus.Christmas is a happy day.
Example conversation
Lucia and Quintus are discussing their holiday plans.
- LuciaQuid facies die Natali Christi?What are you doing for Christmas?
- QuintusCum familia mea ero.I will be with my family.
- LuciaId est optima idea.That is a great idea.
- QuintusEt tu, quid facies?And what will you do?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “Christmas” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries festum, natalis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
