gaudium
[ˈɡau̯.di.ũː]neuter
Joy in Latin is gaudium. If unsure, use gaudium. Wiktionary also lists gaudimonium and laetitia.
Meaning: feeling of happiness (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| gaudium | [ˈɡau̯.di.ũː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈɡaːu̯.di.um] (narrow) |
neuter |
| gaudimonium | neuter | |
| laetitia | [ɫae̯ˈtɪ.ti.a] (Classical Latin, narrow) [leˈtit.t͡si.a] (narrow) |
feminine |
gaudium is the usual word for joy as a feeling of happiness, often an inner joy that comes from something hoped for or achieved.
Which one should you use?
gaudium points to inner, spiritual or intellectual joy. laetitia is a more outward joy, a bright and visible gladness. gaudimonium is a less common word for joy.
How does it change in a sentence?
gaudium is neuter and its plural is gaudia. laetitia is feminine and its plural is laetitiae.
Did you know?
- The word gaudium is the direct ancestor of the English word 'gaudy'. While gaudium meant pure joy, the English term evolved to describe something tastelessly bright or showy.
- The rare word gaudimonium contains a suffix that usually describes a collective group or a formal obligation, making the word feel much heavier than standard joy.
- While gaudium refers to the soul's internal state, ancient writers used laetitia to describe the physical signs of joy on a person's face.
Examples in context
- Gellius, Noctes Atticae 2.27.3 (c. 175 AD)Is it not beyond the range of human capability to rejoice in bodily disfigurement? For joy is a certain exaltation of spirit, delighting in the realization of something greatly desired.This passage from Gellius defines joy as a lifting of the spirit when something greatly desired comes true.
- Cur non gaudium eligere?Why not choose joy?gaudium is the thing to be chosen in this question.Tatoeba #13401992 by carlosalberto, translation #13401965 by carlosalberto
- Etiam nimia peritur laetitia.Too much joy can also kill you.laetitia is used here for an excess of joy.Tatoeba #7023146 by iart61, translation #13681571 by carlosalberto
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a recent celebration.
- ClaudiaMagnum gaudium est hoc festum.This celebration is a great joy.
- QuintusIta vero, Claudia, gaudeamus!Indeed, Claudia, let us rejoice!
- ClaudiaTu es laetus, Quinte.You are happy, Quintus.
- QuintusIta, propter hoc gaudium.Yes, because of this joy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “joy” translations and entries gaudium, gaudimonium, laetitia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
