felicitas
[feːˈliː.kɪ.taːs]feminine
Happiness in Latin can be expressed as felicitas, laetitia or gaudium.
Meaning: emotion of being happy (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| felicitas | [feːˈliː.kɪ.taːs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [feˈliː.t͡ʃi.tas] (narrow) |
feminine |
| laetitia | [ɫae̯ˈtɪ.ti.a] (Classical Latin, narrow) [leˈtit.t͡si.a] (narrow) |
feminine |
| gaudium | [ˈɡau̯.di.ũː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈɡaːu̯.di.um] (narrow) |
neuter |
Which one should you use?
The word laetitia refers specifically to the outward expression of joy, gladness or delight. In contrast, gaudium typically describes a more profound, internal or lasting sense of joy. While the other terms focus on feeling, felicitas often implies a state of good fortune, luck or prosperity rather than just a fleeting emotion.
How does it change in a sentence?
If happiness is the direct object of a verb, use the form laetitiam instead of laetitia. The plural form of the neuter gaudium is gaudia, and the plural of the feminine felicitas is felicitates.
Did you know?
- In Roman culture, felicitas was personified as a goddess. She represented the divine power of good luck and was often depicted holding a cornucopia to symbolize prosperity.
- The word gaudium shares a root with the English word 'gaudy'. While gaudium meant internal joy, the evolution into 'gaudy' reflects a shift toward the loud and flashy outward displays of such emotion.
- The suffix in felicitas comes from a root meaning 'to nurse' or 'to suckle'. This suggests an ancient link between the feeling of being blessed and the comfort of early childhood.
Examples in context
- Deus mihi laetitiam dat.God gives me happiness.This sentence shows how to use the form laetitia as a direct object.Tatoeba #1194178 by alexmarcelo, translation #1194177 by zzxjoanw
- Beatitudo natorum est nostra felicitas.Our children's happiness is our happiness.This sentence shows how to use the form felicitas as a subject.Tatoeba #10801892 by carlosalberto, translation #10801844 by Luornu
- Brevis erat gaudium.Happiness was short-lived.This sentence shows how to use the form gaudium as a subject.Tatoeba #689513 by Hans07, translation #5165417 by CarpeLanam
- Ad multos annos felicitas tibi praestetur.May happiness be granted to you for many years.
- Amici gaudium mihi afferunt.Friends bring me happiness.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “happiness” translations and entries felicitas, laetitia, gaudium, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries felicitas, gaudium, laetitia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
