lingua Latīna
feminine
In Latin, the phrase for the English name "Latin" is lingua Latīna. Wiktionary also lists Latīnum.
Meaning: language of the ancient Romans (name)
Ways to say it
| Latin | Note |
|---|---|
| lingua Latīna | feminine |
| Latīnum | neuter |
The phrase is used to name the language of the ancient Romans. While lingua Latīna refers specifically to the language itself, the related adjective latīnus can be used to describe anything pertaining to the region of Latium.
What does it mean word for word?
The word lingua literally means tongue, which is used here to mean language.
Which one should you use?
The term lingua Latīna is the specific name for the language. If you wish to describe something as being specifically from the city or empire of Rome rather than just the broader Latium region, you should use the adjective rōmānus instead of latīnus.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase lingua Latīna, the noun is feminine and is paired with a feminine adjective, so both words end in -a.
Did you know?
- The word lingua likely evolved from an even older form dingua. This change from 'd' to 'l' may have happened because speakers associated the word with lingō, which means 'to lick'.
- In the Roman era, lingua was used not just for a language, but often to describe a specific style of speaking or a 'way of talking' that revealed a person's social class.
- In many European languages, the word for 'tongue' and 'language' is the same, mirroring the Latin use of lingua to mean both.
Examples in context
- Lingua Latīna mortua est.Latin is a dead language.This sentence is useful for stating that lingua Latīna is a dead language.Tatoeba #1371354 by alexmarcelo, translation #379238 by CK
- Lingua Latīna difficilis est.Latin is difficult.
- Nostra patria lingua Latīna utitur.Our homeland uses the Latin language.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing their school subjects.
- GaiusQuid discis, Claudia?What are you learning, Claudia?
- ClaudiaLingua Latīna mē delectat.The Latin language delights me.
- GaiusEstne lingua Latīna gravis?Is the Latin language important?
- ClaudiaIta, lingua Latīna est fundamentum.Yes, the Latin language is the foundation.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “latin” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lingua, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
