iter
[ˈɪ.tɛr]neuter
The English phrase 'journey' is translated into Latin as iter or cursus.
Meaning: trip, a voyage (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| iter | [ˈɪ.tɛr] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈiː.ter] (narrow) |
neuter |
| cursus | [ˈkʊr.sʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈkur.sus] (narrow) |
masculine |
Both terms are used to describe a trip or a voyage.
Which one should you use?
While both words can mean journey, iter typically refers to the act of traveling or the route itself, whereas cursus often implies a continuous course, a race or a specific path of movement (like a 'course').
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word iter is a third-declension neuter noun, so its genitive singular form is itineris.
Did you know?
- The word iter has a linguistic relative in Tocharian A, an extinct language from western China, where the word ytārye also means 'path' or 'road'.
- The Latin cursus honorum refers to the 'course of honors', describing the sequential order of public offices held by politicians.
- In Roman times, the cursus publicus was the state-run courier and transportation service that allowed official messages to travel quickly across the Empire.
Examples in context
- Magnum iter profectus est.He set out on a long journey.This sentence is useful for describing someone setting out on a long journey using iter.Tatoeba #5163119 by alexmarcelo, translation #7805898 by CarpeLanam
- Per totam Britanniam iter feci.I made a journey through the entirety of Britain.This sentence shows how to express making a journey through a specific area using iter.Tatoeba #5152535 by alexmarcelo, translation #8008169 by dmaddock
- Egressus Tobias invenit juvenem stantem et accinctum ad iter faciendum.While Tobias was going out, he found a young man standing there, prepared for the journey ahead.This sentence demonstrates the use of iter in the context of being prepared for a journey.Tatoeba #8403796 by Akenaseryan, translation #8422625 by Vibius_Marcus
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucia and Marcus are discussing their travel plans.
- LuciaIter breve erit, Marce.The journey will be short, Marcus.
- MarcusSpero iter nostrum esse tutum.I hope our journey is safe.
- LuciaIter ad urbem perficiemus.We will complete the journey to the city.
- MarcusOptime, iter incipiamus!Excellent, let us begin the journey!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “journey” translations and entries iter, cursus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cursus, iter, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
