lacus
[ˈɫa.kʊs]masculine
The Latin word for lake is lacus.
The term lacus refers to a body of water.
Meaning: body of water (noun)
Which one should you use?
While lacus is the general term for a lake, Stagnum is used to refer specifically to a standing or stagnant body of water. If the body of water is a marsh, a swamp or a particularly small and shallow lake, the word Palus is more appropriate.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word lacus is the nominative singular form, which you use when the lake is the subject of a sentence. If the lake is the direct object of a verb, such as in the phrase 'I see the lake', the form changes to lacum.
Did you know?
- The Latin lacus can be used metaphorically in poetry to describe a 'lake' of blood or tears.
- The English word 'lacustrine', used in geology to describe things related to lakes, is derived directly from lacus.
- Even though 'lake' and lacus sound similar, the English word 'lake' is actually a closer relative to the Old English word 'lagu', which meant 'sea' or 'ocean' rather than a small body of water.
Examples in context
- Hic lacus altus est.This lake is deep.This sentence is useful for describing the depth of a lacus.Tatoeba #1963315 by alexmarcelo, translation #59351 by CK
- Quam altus lacus est?How deep is this lake?This sentence is useful for asking about the depth of a lacus.Tatoeba #1390396 by alexmarcelo, translation #59358 by CK
- Cur lacus roseus est?Why is the lake pink?This sentence is useful for asking about the color of a lacus.Tatoeba #13464836 by carlosalberto, translation #13463520 by rul
- Tiberius et Gaius in lacu natabant.Tiberius and Gaius were swimming in the lake.
- Piscina magna lacum imitatur.The large pool imitates a lake.
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Quintus and Aurelia are walking through a valley.
- QuintusEcce lacus parvus.Look, a small lake.
- AureliaLacus est pulcher.The lake is beautiful.
- QuintusPossumusne in lacu natare?Can we swim in the lake?
- AureliaIta, ad lacum eamus.Yes, let's go to the lake.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lake” translations and entries lacus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lacus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
