terra
[ˈtɛr.ra]feminine
The Latin word for land is terra.
Terra refers to the part of the Earth that is not covered by oceans or other bodies of water. It can specifically mean the soil or ground, but it is also the standard word used for the planet Earth.
Meaning: part of Earth that is not covered by oceans or other bodies of water (noun)
Which one should you use?
While terra is used for 'land' in the sense of soil or ground, it is also the term used to mean the planet 'Earth'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Terra is a feminine noun. To say 'of the land', use the genitive singular form terrae. If the land is the direct object of a sentence, use the accusative singular terram. To express 'to' or 'for' the lands, use the dative or ablative plural form terris.
Did you know?
- The word terra shares an ancestral root with the English word 'thirst', which comes from the same Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'dry'.
- In Roman law, the term terra was used in the phrase terra nullius, meaning 'nobody's land'. This legal concept was later used by European powers to justify the colonization of inhabited lands.
- Ancient Romans often distinguished between terra, the physical soil, and ager, which referred to land specifically used for farming or as a plot of property.
Examples in context
- Terra valde fertilis est.The land is very fertile.This sentence shows how to describe the quality of the terra.Tatoeba #5032092 by alexmarcelo, translation #3927897 by Russell_Ranae
- Is dominus huius terrae est.He is the owner of this land.This sentence demonstrates the use of the genitive form terrae to show ownership.Tatoeba #1367719 by alexmarcelo, translation #1367699 by Eldad
- Hispania terra castellorum est.Spain is the land of castles.This sentence uses terra to describe a characteristic of a specific region.Tatoeba #4934877 by alexmarcelo, translation #4363399 by mervert1
- Terra fertilis et abundans est.The land is fertile and abundant.
- Terras amplas exploravit.He explored vast lands.
- Terram magnam possidet.She owns a large piece of land.
- Hoc solum est avorum nostrorum.This land belongs to our ancestors.
- 199 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Gaius are looking at a map of the world.
- JuliaQuanta terra in hoc mundo est?How much land is in this world?
- GaiusMulta terra et multa aqua sunt.There is much land and much water.
- JuliaHic color viridis terram significat.This green color means land.
- GaiusIta, Julia, haec terra est.Yes, Julia, this is land.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “land” translations and entries terra, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries terra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
