foris
[ˈfɔ.rɪs]feminine
The English word door is translated into Latin as foris, ostium or ianua.
Meaning: portal of entry into a building, room or vehicle (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| foris | [ˈfɔ.rɪs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈfɔː.ris] (narrow) |
feminine |
| ostium | [ˈoːs.ti.ũː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈɔs.ti.um] (narrow) |
neuter |
| ianua | [ˈjaː.nu.a] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈjaː.nu.a] (narrow) |
feminine |
These terms all refer to a portal of entry into a building, room or vehicle, but they emphasize different aspects of the entry point.
Which one should you use?
ianua is the most common word used for a physical door, such as a door to a house or a room. In contrast, ostium refers more specifically to the doorway or the opening itself and it is frequently used when discussing the concept of an entrance or a way in. foris can mean both 'door' and 'outside', often serving in the sense of the threshold or the exterior.
How does it change in a sentence?
foris and ianua are feminine nouns, while ostium is a neuter noun.
Did you know?
- The Latin word ostium is used not only for doors but also to describe the mouth of a river where it meets the sea.
- The Latin word forum, referring to the central public square of a Roman city, shares the same linguistic root as foris.
Examples in context
- Cur ianua aperta est?Why is the door open?This sentence is useful for asking why the ianua is open.Tatoeba #5098742 by alexmarcelo, translation #3130426 by CK
- Puer prope ianuam est.There is a boy near the door.This sentence is useful for stating a boy is near the ianua.Tatoeba #1142258 by alexmarcelo, translation #39068 by CK
- Ianua nunc aperta est.The door is open now.This sentence is useful for stating that the ianua is currently open.Tatoeba #1165233 by alexmarcelo, translation #44383 by CK
- In via portam aperit.He opens the door on the street.
- 136 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Marcus and Claudia are entering a house.
- MarcusClaudia, ubi est foris?Claudia, where is the door?
- ClaudiaForis ibi est, Marce.The door is there, Marcus.
- MarcusEstne foris clausa?Is the door closed?
- ClaudiaNon, foris aperta est.No, the door is open.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “door” translations and entries foris, ostium, ianua, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries foris, ianua, ostium, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
