Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tenebrae | [ˈtɛ.nɛ.brae̯] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈtɛː.ne.bre] (narrow) |
feminine, plural |
| nox | [ˈnɔks] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈnɔks] (narrow) |
|
| caligo | [kaːˈliː.ɡoː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [kaˈliː.ɡo] (narrow) |
feminine |
| obscuritas | [ɔpˈskuː.rɪ.taːs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [obˈskuː.ri.tas] (narrow) |
feminine |
The Latin language uses different terms to distinguish between types of darkness. tenebrae is a common and general term for darkness. caligo is used for physical darkness caused by fog, mist or dimness of sight. obscuritas is used to describe the quality of being dark or unclear, often in an abstract sense for things that are hard to perceive or understand. nox refers specifically to the darkness of the night as a period of time.
Which one should you use?
The forms differ based on the nature of the darkness: tenebrae is often poetic or metaphorical, referring to profound or heavy darkness like that of death or ignorance. caligo denotes a physical darkness such as a thick mist or fog. obscuritas expresses darkness figuratively, such as a lack of clarity or understanding. And nox is temporal, referring to the night itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
tenebrae is a plural feminine noun and must be used with plural verbs and adjectives. In contrast, caligo is a singular feminine noun.
Did you know?
- The word caligo may be related to the Latin word columba, meaning 'dove', likely because of the greyish color associated with the bird.
- While nox is the time of night, it is often used by poets to personify the darkness itself as a powerful, looming force.
Examples in context
- Tenebrae sunt lucis absentia.Darkness is the absence of light.This sentence uses tenebrae to define darkness as the absence of light.Tatoeba #5056703 by alexmarcelo, translation #28394 by CK
- Sole oriente, tenebrae fugiunt.Darkness flees at sunrise.This sentence uses tenebrae to describe how darkness flees at sunrise.Tatoeba #4136885 by alexmarcelo, translation #6622812 by CarpeLanam
- Tenebrae multos infantes terrent.Darkness causes many children to be afraid.This sentence uses tenebrae to show that darkness causes fear in children.Tatoeba #1048105 by alexmarcelo, translation #274849 by CM
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucius and Lucia are walking home at night.
- LuciusTenebrae iam omnem viam obducunt.The darkness now covers the whole road.
- LuciaIta, via periculosa est in tenebris.Yes, the road is dangerous in the darkness.
- LuciusUbi est lucerna tua, Lucia?Where is your lamp, Lucia?
- LuciaDomi eam reliqui, Luci.I left it at home, Lucius.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “darkness” translations and entries tenebrae, nox, caligo, obscuritas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caligo, nox, obscuritas, tenebrae, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
