novem
[ˈnɔ.wẽː]
Nine in Latin is novem.
novem is the cardinal number used to count items, such as in the phrase novem pueri (nine boys). To express ordinal numbers, such as "the ninth," Latin uses a different form like nonus liber (the ninth book).
Meaning: cardinal number (num)
Did you know?
- The Roman month of 'November', derived from novem, was the ninth month before January and February were added to the calendar.
- Roman law often used the number novem in 'novendiales', which were funeral rites performed on the ninth day after death.
- The Latin novem shares the same ancient root as the English word 'nine' and the Gothic word niun.
Examples in context
- Feles novem vitas habent.Cats have nine lives.This sentence shows how to use novem when discussing the number of lives animals possess.Tatoeba #12912692 by Hellenike, translation #453045 by CM
- Novem tantum digitos habet.She only has nine fingers.This example demonstrates the use of novem to count fingers.Tatoeba #8937650 by alexmarcelo, translation #8921088 by carlosalberto
- Athenis novem dies mansurus sum.I'll stay in Athens for nine days.This sentence illustrates using novem to specify a duration of days.Tatoeba #5152547 by alexmarcelo, translation #5155357 by CarpeLanam
- Magistra nonum librum legit discipulis.The teacher reads the ninth book to the students.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aurelia and Quintus are counting fruit in a bowl.
- AureliaQuot poma in vase sunt?How many apples are in the bowl?
- QuintusHic sunt novem poma.There are nine apples here.
- AureliaNovem? Id est multum!Nine? That is a lot!
- QuintusIta, nobis satis sunt.Yes, they are enough for us.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nine” translations and entries novem, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries novem, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
