dilectus meus
The English phrase "my beloved" is translated into Latin as dilectus meus.
dilectus meus is a term of endearment used to refer to a person who is dearly loved.
How does it change in a sentence?
The possessive adjective meus must agree in gender and number with the person being described, rather than with the speaker. To refer to a woman, use the feminine form dilecta mea. If you are referring to multiple beloved people, use the plural form dilecti mei. If you are referring to multiple beloved women, use the feminine plural form dilectae meae.
Did you know?
- Latin distinguishes between amare, a general feeling of love, and diligere, the love and esteem expressed in dilectus. While amare can be impulsive, diligere implies a lasting, reasoned affection.
- While dilectus meus is poetic, Roman couples in daily life often used shorter nicknames or terms like mi melle meaning 'my honey'.
- The root of dilectus is not just affection, but the act of choosing. It comes from dīligō, which implies a sense of esteem and careful selection, much like selecting a high-quality item.
Examples in context
- Dilectus meus candidus et rubicundus, electus ex millibus.My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand.This sentence shows how to describe the physical appearance of a beloved using dilectus meus.Tatoeba #2843217 by carlosalberto, translation #2843250 by carlosalberto
- Veniat dilectus meus in hortum suum, et comedat fructum pomorum suorum.Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat the fruit of his apple trees.This sentence uses dilectus meus in a sentence about a beloved entering a garden.Tatoeba #2843120 by carlosalberto, translation #2843143 by carlosalberto
- Fasciculus myrrhae dilectus meus mihi: inter ubera me commorabitur. Botrus cypri dilectus meus mihi in vineis Engaddi.A sachet of myrrh is for me my beloved resting between my breasts, my beloved is for me a bunch of flowering cypress among the Engadi vines.These sentences use dilectus meus to describe a beloved in a poetic context involving myrrh and vines.Tatoeba #12376507 by carlosalberto, translation #12376587 by carlosalberto
- Vale, Dulcissimus!Goodbye, My Beloved!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Quintus greet each other after a long trip.
- JuliaSalve, dilecte mi!Hello, my beloved!
- QuintusSalve, Iulia. Te desideravi.Hello, Julia. I missed you.
- JuliaUbi eras, dilecte mi?Where were you, my beloved?
- QuintusIn urbe eram.I was in the city.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dilectus, meus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
