Graecia
[ˈɡrae̯.ki.a]feminine
The English phrase Greece is translated into Latin as Graecia. Wiktionary also lists Hellas.
Meaning: country in Southeastern Europe (name)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Graecia | [ˈɡrae̯.ki.a] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈɡrɛː.t͡ʃi.a] (narrow) |
feminine |
| Hellas | [ˈhɛl.las] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈɛl.las] (narrow) |
feminine, poetic |
The term refers to the country located in Southeastern Europe.
Which one should you use?
Graecia is the standard name used in most Latin prose, whereas Hellas is a more poetic or classical name for the country.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a feminine noun. To express possession or origin, use the genitive form Graeciae (of Greece / to Greece). When Greece is the direct object of a verb or follows certain prepositions like 'ad', use the accusative form Graeciam.
Did you know?
- In many classical texts, the phrase Graecia capta is used to describe how 'conquered Greece' actually ended up conquering the culture of its conquerors, Rome.
- The term Graecus (meaning 'Greek') is the root of the English word 'Graeco-', often seen in terms like 'Graeco-Roman' to describe the fusion of two cultures.
- The word Hellas is a direct borrowing from the Ancient Greek word for the land, making it a more 'authentic' way to refer to the culture in a classical poetic context.
Examples in context
- In Graecia natus est.He was born in Greece.This sentence shows how to use Graecia to indicate a place of birth.Tatoeba #6877843 by Hans07, translation #5132845 by imytiti
- Sparta est in Graecia.Sparta is in Greece.This sentence uses Graecia to locate a specific city.Tatoeba #3576412 by soweli_Elepanto, translation #12595884 by rul
- Italia non est Graecia.Italy isn't Greece.This sentence uses Graecia to show a distinction between two countries.Tatoeba #2179106 by alexmarcelo, translation #2113411 by CM
- Graecia semper me delectat, et ibi amicos multos habeo.Greece always delights me, and I have many friends there.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Quintus and Julia are discussing travel plans.
- QuintusVisne ad Graeciam navigare?Do you want to sail to Greece?
- JuliaIta, Graecia est pulcherrima terra.Yes, Greece is a most beautiful land.
- QuintusQuid in Graecia vis videre?What do you want to see in Greece?
- JuliaAthenas et templa Graeciae.Athens and the temples of Greece.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “greece” translations and entries Graecia, Hellas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Graecia, Hellas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
