auris
[ˈau̯.rɪs]feminine
The Latin word for ear is auris. Wiktionary also lists auricula.
Meaning: organ of hearing (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| auris | [ˈau̯.rɪs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈaːu̯.ris] (narrow) |
feminine |
| auricula | [au̯ˈrɪ.kʊ.ɫa] (Classical Latin, narrow) [au̯ˈriː.ku.la] (narrow) |
The primary term for the organ of hearing is auris.
Which one should you use?
The word auricula is a diminutive form of auris. The plural form of the noun is aures.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Ancient Rome, the term auditus was occasionally used to refer to the sense of hearing and, by extension, the ear itself.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun auris is a feminine noun belonging to the third declension.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not confuse the noun auris (ear) with the archaic verb arare, which means to plough, due to their similar spelling.
Did you know?
- Even though they sound different, the Russian word ухо and the Latin auris are actually related through Proto-Indo-European history.
- The Latin term auricula is the ancestor of the English word 'auricle', which is used in anatomy to describe parts of the heart and the ear.
Examples in context
- Quid est auris?What is an ear?
- Auris tua est saniorYour ear is healthier.
- Vulnerat auriculam meamIt hurts my ear.
Example conversation
Claudia and Gaius are discussing a health problem.
- ClaudiaGai, auris mea non audit.Gaius, my ear does not hear.
- GaiusCur auris tua non audit?Why does your ear not hear?
- ClaudiaAqua in aure mea est.There is water in my ear.
- GaiusHoc est malum, Claudia.That is bad, Claudia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ear” translations and entries auris, auricula, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries auricula, auris, CC BY-SA 4.0.
