idiota
[ɪ.diˈoː.ta]masculine
The Latin word for idiot is idiota. Wiktionary also lists fungus.
Meaning: person of low general intelligence (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| idiota | [ɪ.diˈoː.ta] (Classical Latin, narrow) [i.diˈɔː.ta] (narrow) |
masculine |
| fungus | [ˈfʊŋ.ɡʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈfuŋ.ɡus] (narrow) |
masculine |
The term can be used to describe a person of low general intelligence.
What does it mean word for word?
The word idiota originally referred to a private person or a commoner as opposed to a public official, rather than someone lacking intelligence.
Which one should you use?
While idiota can imply a lack of public status, fungus is used more specifically to describe a person who is a fool or a simpleton.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both idiota and fungus are masculine nouns.
Examples in context
- Idiota est perditus.The idiot is lost.
- Quid facit hic idiota?What is this idiot doing?
- Non sum idiota.I am not an idiot.
Example conversation
Claudia and Gaius are discussing a clumsy man.
- ClaudiaVide, Gai, quid fecit!Look, Gaius, what he did!
- GaiusVere, iste est idiota.Truly, that one is an idiot.
- ClaudiaCur sic agit?Why is he acting this way?
- GaiusQuia idiota est.Because he is an idiot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “idiot” translations and entries idiota, fungus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
