columba
[kɔˈɫʊm.ba]feminine
The English word 'pigeon' is translated into Latin as columba. Wiktionary also lists columbus and columbulus.
Meaning: bird of the dove and pigeon family Columbidae (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| columba | [kɔˈɫʊm.ba] (Classical Latin, narrow) [koˈlum.ba] (narrow) |
feminine |
| columbus | [kɔˈɫʊm.bʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [koˈlum.bus] (narrow) |
masculine |
| columbulus | diminutive, masculine | |
| columbula | diminutive, feminine |
The term refers to birds belonging to the dove and pigeon family, Columbidae.
Which one should you use?
While columba is the standard term, you can use the diminutive forms columbulus (masculine) or columbula (feminine) to refer specifically to a little pigeon or a young pigeon.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine noun columba changes its form based on its role in a sentence. The genitive singular form, meaning 'of the pigeon', is columbae. The accusative plural form is columbas. Note that the word columbae can function as either the genitive singular 'of the pigeon' or the nominative plural 'pigeons'. The masculine form is columbus.
Did you know?
- The Latin word columba is etymologically linked to the Greek word for a 'diver' or someone who swims. It is quite a jump from a bird that flies to a creature that plunges into the water.
- In early Christian art and Latin literature, the columba became a primary symbol for the Holy Spirit and peace.
- The spelling of the word in Latin is very close to the name of the famous explorer Christopher Columbus, whose name is derived from the same root.
Examples in context
- Respondens Dominus: Sume, inquit, mihi vitulam triennem et capram trimam et arietem annorum trium, turturem quoque et columbam.And the Lord answered, and said: Take me a cow of three years old, and a she-goat of three years. and a ram of three years, a turtle also, and a pigeon.This sentence shows the use of columba in a list of animals being offered.Tatoeba #7756155 by carlosalberto, translation #7848821 by carlosalberto
- Columba in horto habitat.A pigeon lives in the garden.
- Haec est columba alba.This is a white pigeon.
Example conversation
Gaius and Aurelia are walking in a city square.
- GaiusVide, Aurelia! Columbae volant!Look, Aurelia! Pigeons are flying!
- AureliaIta, columbae sunt valde veloces.Yes, the pigeons are very fast.
- GaiusVisne columbam pascere?Do you want to feed a pigeon?
- AureliaIta, habeo panem hic.Yes, I have bread here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pigeon” translations and entries columba, columbus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries columba, columbus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
