carmen
[ˈkar.mɛn]neuter
The Latin word for poem is carmen. Wiktionary also lists poema.
Meaning: literary piece written in verse (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| carmen | [ˈkar.mɛn] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈkar.men] (narrow) |
neuter |
| poema | [poˈeː.ma] (Classical Latin, narrow) [poˈɛː.ma] (narrow) |
neuter |
Both carmen and poema are used to refer to a literary piece written in verse.
Which one should you use?
While both mean poem, carmen often carries the connotation of a song, a chant or even a magical incantation. The word poema is more specific to a literary composition and is more common in later Latin than the classical carmen.
How does it change in a sentence?
carmen is a second-declension neuter noun. Its ablative singular form is carmine (meaning by, with or from the poem). The plural of poema is sometimes rendered as poemata in later Latin contexts.
Did you know?
- The word carmen is related to the Sanskrit word 'śásman', which refers to a hymn or a formal eulogy.
- The English word 'charm' is a distant relative of the Latin carmen, as both share a connection to spoken-word rituals and spells.
- The word poema is a loanword, proving that the Romans felt their native carmen was too broad to describe a formal literary composition.
Examples in context
- Hoc non est carmen.This isn't a poem.This sentence is useful for denying that something is a carmen.Tatoeba #12730172 by rul, translation #12334890 by Miktsoanit
- Hoc poema non intellego.I don't understand this poem.This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of understanding of a poema.Tatoeba #1202215 by alexmarcelo, translation #895861 by pauldhunt
- Mutum est pictura poema.A painting is a wordless poem.This sentence uses poema to describe a painting metaphorically.Tatoeba #2818484 by carlosalberto, translation #2818486 by carlosalberto
- Liber poesis eius est magnificus.His book of poems is magnificent.
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Quintus and Lucia are discussing a piece of literature in a library.
- QuintusVisne hoc carmen legere, Lucia?Do you want to read this poem, Lucia?
- LuciaIta, Quinte. Estne carmen longum?Yes, Quintus. Is it a long poem?
- QuintusNon est longum, sed pulchrum est.It is not long, but it is beautiful.
- LuciaTunc hoc carmen nunc legam.Then I will read this poem now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “poem” translations and entries carmen, poema, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries carmen, poema, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
