per
[ˈpɛr]
The Latin preposition per means 'for each'.
The word 'per' is a common and straightforward translation for 'per' in a formal context.
Meaning: for each (prep)
Did you know?
- The Latin per is a linguistic cousin to the Greek preposition περί (perí), which is the root of English words like 'perimeter' and 'periscope'.
- Ancient Romans used per to indicate a deadline or a limit of time. It could be used to say that something must be finished 'by' a certain day.
- Latin uses per to express a thorough or complete action. For example, it can be used to describe something being searched 'through and through'.
Examples in context
- Quot sigarella per diem fumas?How many cigarettes do you smoke per day?This sentence shows how to use per when asking about a daily rate.Tatoeba #6925030 by CarpeLanam, translation #1820939 by Amastan
- Nec per se quemquam tempus sentire fatendumst semotum ab rerum motu.You must admit that you don't feel any time per se isolated from the movement.This sentence demonstrates the use of per in the phrase 'per se'.Tatoeba #10575896 by carlosalberto, translation #10575906 by carlosalberto
- Per diemPer day
- Per seBy itself
- Per annumPer year
- Centum passus per horam ambulamus.We walk one hundred paces per hour.
Example conversation
Quintus and Lucia are organizing a feast.
- QuintusQuot vina per convive parasti, Lucia?How many wines have you prepared per guest, Lucia?
- LuciaUnum vinum per convive paravi.I have prepared one wine per guest.
- QuintusEstne id satis per omnes?Is that enough for each of them?
- LuciaIta, Quinte, satis est.Yes, Quintus, it is enough.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry per, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries per, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
