margarita
[mar.ɡaˈriː.ta]feminine
The English word pearl is translated into Latin as margarita. Wiktionary also lists bāca.
Meaning: rounded shelly concretion produced by certain mollusks (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| margarita | [mar.ɡaˈriː.ta] (Classical Latin, narrow) [mar.ɡaˈriː.ta] (narrow) |
feminine |
| bāca | feminine |
A pearl is defined as a rounded, shelly concretion produced by certain mollusks.
Which one should you use?
The standard term for a pearl is margarita, which often implies the object has a precious or gemstone-like quality. While bāca can occasionally refer to a small rounded object, it primarily means a berry or a small fruit, making it a less precise term for a pearl than margarita.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the standard term margarita is margaritās.
Did you know?
- The Latin word margarita was used as a female given name in the early Christian era and eventually became the English name 'Margaret'.
- Ancient Romans often associated margaritās with the goddess Venus, who was believed to have created them from the tears of the sea.
- In Latin poetry, margarita is sometimes used metaphorically to describe drops of dew or frozen droplets of rain.
Examples in context
- Margarita est splendida!The pearl is beautiful!
- Amica margaritam dat.The friend gives the pearl.
- Liber margaritae est.The book is of the pearl.
- Unio est res pretiosa.The pearl is a precious thing.
- Margarita in collari est.A pearl is on the necklace.
- Margarita alba est.The pearl is white.
- Hanc margaritam amo.I love this pearl.
Example conversation
Gaius is showing Lucia a piece of jewelry.
- GaiusVide, Lucia, hanc margaritam!Look, Lucia, at this pearl!
- LuciaO, quam clara est!Oh, how bright it is!
- GaiusEst rara margarita.It is a rare pearl.
- LuciaVero, optime lucet.Truly, it shines excellently.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pearl” translations and entries margarita, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
