lūdō
The English phrase 'play' can be translated into Latin as lūdō or iocō.
Meaning: act in a manner such that one has fun (verb)
Ways to say it
| Latin |
|---|
| lūdō |
| iocō |
The verb describes acting in a manner such that one has fun. The related noun lūdus can refer to a game, a theatrical performance or even a school (a place of study or play).
Which one should you use?
iocō is used to mean 'I joke'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both lūdō and iocō are first-person singular present indicative active forms. This means lūdō translates to 'I play' and iocō translates to 'I joke'.
Did you know?
- In Roman law, lūdī were not just games but massive, state-funded festivals including chariot races and gladiatorial combat intended to appease the public.
- The word iocō is the ancestor of the English word 'joke', which entered English via French and Latin during the Middle Ages.
- The Latin word for play, lūdus, is a distant relative of the English word 'lude', which is used in the term 'prelude' to describe a musical introduction.
Examples in context
- Cum amicis jocari est incredibiliter iucundum.Playing with friends is incredibly enjoyable.
- Nōn lūdō hodie.I do not play today.
Example conversation
Gaius and Julia are talking about their afternoon activities.
- GaiusQuid agis, Julia?What are you doing, Julia?
- JuliaLūdō cum cane meo.I am playing with my dog.
- GaiusVisne mecum lūdere?Do you want to play with me?
- JuliaIta, lūdō libenter!Yes, I play gladly!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “play” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
