How to Say "Enemies" in Latin

hostes

The English phrase "enemies" is translated into Latin as hostes.

The term hostes is used to refer to enemies in a military or political sense (foreign enemies).

Which one should you use?

While hostes refers to enemies in a military or political sense (foreign enemies), inimici refers to personal enemies or private foes.

The singular form of hostes is hostis. The genitive plural form, used to indicate possession or 'of the enemies', is hostium.

The English word 'hospitality' comes from the same root as hostis. This creates a linguistic paradox where the word for 'enemy' and the word for 'welcoming a stranger' are two sides of the same coin.
The term hostis publicus was a formal title given to the most hated person in Rome, marking them as a 'public enemy' whom anyone could kill without penalty.
In early Roman history, the distinction between a 'guest' and an 'enemy' was remarkably thin. A person could be a hospes, meaning a guest, or a hostis, meaning an enemy, depending on whether a treaty existed between them.

Dei hostes eorum interficiunt.
The gods kill their enemies.
This sentence demonstrates the use of hostes in the context of the gods acting against enemies.
Tatoeba #10702140 by carlosalberto, translation #10702128 by carlosalberto
Hostes nocturni impetum fecerunt.
The enemies made an attack at night.
This sentence shows hostes being used to describe enemies making a night attack.
Tatoeba #3303452 by carlosalberto, translation #5972209 by CarpeLanam
Multi hostes Romam oppugnaverunt.
Many enemies attacked Rome.
This sentence illustrates hostes as the subject attacking Rome.
Tatoeba #5103119 by alexmarcelo, translation #9489204 by Nylez
Paratus sum adversus hostes meos.
I am prepared against my enemies.
Adversarii mei hic aeternum vincere non possunt.
My enemies here can never win.
Inimici mei crebro insidias mihi tendunt.
My enemies frequently lay traps for me.
Superabo omnes inimicos
I will overcome all enemies
5 more sentences on Tatoeba

Claudia and Lucius are discussing a military strategy.

Sources

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