cervus
[ˈkɛr.wʊs]masculine
The English word deer is translated into Latin as cervus. Wiktionary also lists cerva.
Meaning: animal of the family Cervidae (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cervus | [ˈkɛr.wʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈt͡ʃɛr.vus] (narrow) |
masculine |
| cerva | [ˈkɛr.wa] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈt͡ʃɛr.va] (narrow) |
feminine |
The term refers to animals belonging to the family Cervidae.
Which one should you use?
The masculine form cervus is used to refer to a male deer, while the feminine form cerva is used to refer to a female deer.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is gendered, with cervus being masculine and cerva being feminine.
Did you know?
- In Latin literature, the cervus often symbolizes innocence or a soul fleeing from persecution, appearing frequently in early Christian allegories.
- Ancient Romans associated the cervus with the goddess Diana, the huntress, who often appears in art accompanied by these animals.
- The root of cervus is shared with the Ancient Greek word keraós, which means 'horned'.
Examples in context
- Cervus velocior est quam fortior.The deer is faster than it is strong.This sentence is useful for comparing the speed and strength of the cervus.Tatoeba #630958 by rado, translation #664106 by bluepie88
- Cervus a venatoribus interfectus est.The deer was killed by hunters.This sentence shows how the cervus can be a target of hunters.Tatoeba #839955 by rado, translation #1105940 by CM
- Estne cervus?Is it a deer?This sentence is useful for asking for the identification of a cervus.Tatoeba #7037699 by alexmarcelo, translation #1121276 by Scotland
- Cervus est genus animale nobilissimum.The deer is a noble genus of animal.
- Dama est pulcherrimum animal.The fallow deer is a beautiful animal.
- Rupicapra est caprea montium, simillima cervis.The chamois is a mountain goat, very similar to deer.
Example conversation
Lucia and Lucius are walking through a forest.
- LuciaEcce, cervus in silva currit!Look, a deer is running in the forest!
- LuciusIta, cervus pulcher est.Yes, the deer is beautiful.
- LuciaNum cervus timidus est?Is the deer afraid?
- LuciusMinime, cervus non nos videt.No, the deer does not see us.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “deer” translations and entries cervus, cerva, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cerva, cervus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
