How to Say "Desk" in Latin - How To Say Guide

mensa scriptoria

feminine

The English word 'desk' is translated into Latin as mensa scriptoria.

Mensa scriptoria refers specifically to a table used for the purposes of writing and reading.

Meaning: table for writing and reading (noun)

Which one should you use?

While mensa scriptoria describes a desk, it is a specific type of mensa (table).

The word is feminine. The plural form of mensa scriptoria is mensae scriptoriae.

The term mensa is still used in modern geology to describe a flat-topped mountain or a plateau.
In Ancient Rome, a mensa was not just a desk or dining table, but could refer to a flat stone altar used for religious offerings.
The word mensa is likely derived from the word for 'measured'. This suggests that a table was originally seen as a piece of measured or leveled ground.

Mensa scriptoria lignea est.
The desk is made of wood.
This sentence is useful for describing the material a mensa scriptoria is made of.
Tatoeba #1142298 by alexmarcelo, translation #48839 by CK
Cur sub mensa scriptoria es?
Why are you under the desk?
This sentence is useful for asking why someone is positioned under a mensa scriptoria.
Tatoeba #1217222 by alexmarcelo, translation #38693 by Liface
Feles sub mensa scriptoria est.
There is a cat under the desk.
This sentence is useful for stating that a cat is under a mensa scriptoria.
Tatoeba #1172341 by alexmarcelo, translation #20585 by CC
Puella libros suos super mensam reliquit.
The girl left her books on the desk.
13 more sentences on Tatoeba

Aurelia and Marcus are in a study room.

Sources

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