bellus
[ˈbɛl.lʊs]
The English phrase "nice" can be translated into Latin as bellus.
The term is used to describe something or someone that is attractive or friendly.
Meaning: attractive, friendly (adj)
Which one should you use?
While bellus is used for masculine subjects, you should use bella for feminine subjects. Pulchellus is a diminutive form of pulcher that suggests something is cute or lovely.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes based on the gender of the noun it describes: use bellus for masculine, bella for feminine and bellum for neuter. If you need to say "of a nice" in the masculine singular genitive case, use belli.
Did you know?
- The word bellus is a distinct term from bellum, which means 'war'. Although they look similar, they are unrelated.
- The word bellus is actually a diminutive of the Old Latin word duenos, which meant 'good'.
- In Latin, describing someone as bellus focuses more on a 'pretty' or 'charming' kind of niceness rather than just being polite.
Examples in context
- Dies bellus est.It's a nice day.This sentence shows how to use bellus to describe a day.Tatoeba #5654479 by CarpeLanam, translation #433659 by CK
- Ipsa villa est amoenissima, plena pulchritudinis.The villa itself is delightful, full of beauty.
- Cenas tuas semper jucundas facis!You always make your dinners enjoyable!
- Puer bellus est.The boy is nice.
- Hic vir bellus est.This man is attractive.
Example conversation
Marcus and Claudia are talking about a new friend.
- MarcusVisne novum amicum videre?Do you want to see the new friend?
- ClaudiaIta, estne bellus?Yes, is he nice?
- MarcusIta, optimus est.Yes, he is the best.
- ClaudiaBene, eum videbo.Good, I will see him.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bellus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bellus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
