pauper
[ˈpau̯.pɛr]
In Latin, the word for poor is pauper. Wiktionary also lists egens.
Meaning: with few or no possessions or money (adj)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA |
|---|---|
| pauper | [ˈpau̯.pɛr] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈpaːu̯.per] (narrow) |
| egens |
The term refers to someone possessing few or no possessions or money. Depending on the context, it can also be used as a noun to describe the collective group of people in a society known as the poor, in which case the form pauperēs is used.
Which one should you use?
While pauper specifically describes a lack of material wealth, egens is used to emphasize the state of being in need or lacking something essential.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form pauperēs can function as a substantive noun to refer to the poor as a collective group of people.
Did you know?
- In the Roman world, the 'poor' were often categorized by their legal status rather than just their bank balance, making pauper a social label as much as a financial one.
- The word pauper is a compound that likely meant 'providing little' or 'one who receives little', rooted in a word for 'to grant or bestow'.
- The term egens is actually a present active participle, meaning it is a verb form used as an adjective to describe someone currently 'needing'.
Examples in context
- Pauper sed felix sum.I'm poor, but I'm happy.This sentence shows how to express being poor and happy using pauper.Tatoeba #10749738 by carlosalberto, translation #10749685 by CK
- Pauper est, sed laeta.She is poor, but happy.This sentence demonstrates how to describe a female as poor and happy using pauper.Tatoeba #1442441 by Balamax, translation #486246 by minshirui
- Ii valde pauperes sunt.They're very poor.This sentence illustrates how to state that people are very poor using pauper.Tatoeba #11585415 by soweli_Elepanto, translation #2243704 by CK
- Pauper huius regionis multam misericordiam movet.The poor person of this region evokes much pity.
- 47 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucius and Julia are discussing a man they saw in the street.
- LuciusIste vir pauper est.That man is poor.
- JuliaIta vero, nihil habet.It is true, he has nothing.
- LuciusEius vita difficilis est.His life is difficult.
- JuliaMe eius miseret.I pity him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “poor” translations and entries pauper, egens, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries egens, pauper, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
