magnus
[ˈmaŋ.nʊs]
The English word 'large' is translated into Latin as magnus.
magnus is used to describe something of greater size. Beyond physical dimensions, it is also the standard word used to mean 'great' when referring to importance, status or quality.
Meaning: of greater size (adj)
Which one should you use?
In Classical Latin, the word latus is often used to translate large, meaning wide or spacious.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, using the feminine form magna or the neuter form magnum.
Did you know?
- The word magnus is a cousin to the Sanskrit word mahá, showing how a concept of 'greatness' has remained stable across thousands of years.
- The Latin root in magnus is also found in the English word 'magnanimous'. While magnus means 'large', in this context it refers to having a 'great' or noble spirit.
- In many Indo-European languages, the idea of being 'large' is linguistically tied to the idea of being 'strong' or 'mighty'.
Examples in context
- Iuppiter valde magnus est.Jupiter is very large.This sentence shows how to use magnus to describe Jupiter.Tatoeba #5031724 by alexmarcelo, translation #1812118 by Bah_Dure
- Danuvius quoque fluvius magnus est.The Danube is also a large river.This sentence demonstrates using magnus to describe a river.Tatoeba #3574860 by soweli_Elepanto, translation #13852157 by rul
- Prope villam est magnus lacus rotundus.There is a large round lake near the village.This sentence shows how to use magnus when describing a lake.Tatoeba #12127475 by carlosalberto, translation #12127447 by carlosalberto
- domus magnaA large house
- lepus magnusA large hare
- res grandisA great matter
- fortitudo grandisGreat strength
- grosso modo decemRoughly ten
- via lataA wide street
- campus latusA spacious field
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Marcus and Claudia are looking at a large stone statue in a garden.
- MarcusEstne hic lapis magnus?Is this a large stone?
- ClaudiaIta, lapis magnus est.Yes, the stone is large.
- MarcusMagnus est quidem.It is indeed large.
- ClaudiaVisne eum tangere?Do you want to touch it?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry magnus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries magnus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
