Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| terra | [ˈtɛr.ra] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈtɛr.ra] (narrow) |
feminine |
| orbis | [ˈɔr.bɪs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈɔr.bis] (narrow) |
masculine |
| orbis terrarum | masculine | |
| tellus | [ˈtɛl.luːs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈtɛl.lus] (narrow) |
feminine |
In Latin, the term used for earth depends on whether you are referring to the physical soil, the celestial planet or a mythological entity. The word terra is a general term that can mean the third planet of the Solar System, but it is also the standard word for soil, land, ground or any general rock-based material. It can also refer to earth as one of the four basic elements.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase orbis terrarum literally translates to the circle of lands, which is a common way to describe the inhabited world or the globe.
Which one should you use?
The various forms of the word convey different nuances. Orbis refers to an orb, sphere or circle, which is why it is used in the phrase orbis terrarum to describe the Earth as a sphere. While terra refers to the planet, it is more frequently used to mean the physical ground or soil. Tellus is used when referring to the Earth in a poetic, mythological or personified sense, such as a goddess. Orbis terrarum is a specific way to refer to the Earth as the globe or the circle of lands.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Orbis is a masculine noun. Terra and tellus are feminine nouns. Orbis terrarum is a masculine phrase.
Did you know?
- The Latin word for earth, terra, shares a common root with the English word 'thirst'.
- The word tellus is uniquely unusual in Latin grammar as the only polysyllabic s-stem that contains a long 'ū' vowel in its suffix.
Examples in context
- Vos estis sal terrae.You are the salt of the earth.This sentence is useful for the expression 'salt of the earth' using terra.Tatoeba #5055508 by alexmarcelo, translation #5076804 by CarpeLanam
- Quid in terra hoc est?What on Earth is this?This sentence is useful for the rhetorical question 'What on Earth is this?' using terra.Tatoeba #6105078 by CarpeLanam, translation #139051 by fengrim
- Orbis Terrarum fluctibus circumdatus estThe Earth is surrounded by oceans
- 169 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a star map in a garden.
- LuciaUbi est Terra in hoc imagine?Where is the Earth in this image?
- QuintusTerra hic est, prope Solem.The Earth is here, near the Sun.
- LuciaVisne videre stellas supra nos?Do you want to see the stars above us?
- QuintusIta, videamus caelum nocturnum.Yes, let us look at the night sky.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “earth” translations and entries terra, orbis, tellus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries orbis, tellus, terra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
