magicus
[ˈma.ɡɪ.kʊs]
The English word 'magical' is translated into Latin as magicus. Wiktionary also lists magus.
Meaning: enchanting (adj)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA |
|---|---|
| magicus | [ˈma.ɡɪ.kʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈmaː.d͡ʒi.kus] (narrow) |
| magus | [ˈma.ɡʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈmaː.ɡus] (narrow) |
The term is used as an adjective to describe something that is enchanting.
Which one should you use?
While magicus is the adjective meaning 'magical', magus is the noun referring to the person practicing magic.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes its ending to match the gender of the noun it describes: magica is the feminine or neuter form.
Did you know?
- While magicus describes the enchanting, the Romans often used the word fas to describe magic that was sanctioned by the gods. This distinguished 'divine' magic from the 'dark' arts of a magus.
- The noun magus likely traces back to the 'Magi', an ancient group of Iranian priests. This suggests the word for 'magician' is actually a label for a specific ethnic or religious group.
- While magicus describes the quality of something enchanting, a Roman might use the word veneficus to describe something more specifically involving potions or charms.
Examples in context
- Hic locus est magicus.This place is magical.
Example conversation
Aurelia and Lucius are walking through a beautiful garden.
- AureliaAspice, Luci, hortus magicus est!Look, Lucius, the garden is magical!
- LuciusIta est, Aurelia. Pulcherrimus est.It is, Aurelia. It is very beautiful.
- AureliaSentisne vim magicam hic?Do you feel the magical power here?
- LuciusIta, omnia mirabilia sunt.Yes, everything is wonderful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “magical” translations and entries magicus, magus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
