superbia
[sʊˈpɛr.bi.a]feminine
The English word pride is translated into Latin as superbia.
superbia refers to the quality or state of being proud, specifically involving inordinate self-esteem or an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in areas such as beauty, wealth, rank or talent. It emphasizes a sense of excessive or overbearing pride and can convey a negative connotation of arrogance or haughtiness.
Meaning: quality or state of being proud, inordinate self-esteem, an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, rank etc. (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
superbia is a feminine noun. Its genitive singular form (meaning 'of pride') is superbiae, and its accusative singular form is superbiam.
Did you know?
- The word superbia is the root of the English word 'superb'. While 'superb' now means 'excellent', it originally described someone whose pride made them stand above others.
- The adjective superbus is famously linked to Tarquinius Superbus, the last king of Rome, whose legendary arrogance led the Romans to overthrow the monarchy and establish a republic.
- Latin has another word for pride, superbia's cousin decus, which describes the positive, honorable kind of pride that brings credit to a family or city.
Examples in context
- Septem peccata sunt: superbia, invidia, avaritia, ira, luxuria, gula atque acedia.The seven deadly sins are: pride, envy, greed, anger, lust, gluttony and sloth.This sentence lists superbia as one of the seven deadly sins.Tatoeba #10217800 by soridsolid, translation #4052466 by mervert1
- "Non nos aut ferro Lybicos populare Penates / venimus, aut raptas ad litora vertere praedas: / non ea vis animo, nec tanta superbia victis".We come not hither with the sword to rend / your Libyan homes, and shoreward drive the prey. / Nay, no such violence our thoughts intend, / such pride suits not the vanquished.This sentence uses superbia to describe a quality that does not suit the vanquished.Tatoeba #6591519 by carlosalberto, translation #6792958 by carlosalberto
- Ecce haec fuit iniquitas Sodomae sororis tuae: superbia, saturitas panis, et abundantia et otium ipsius et filiarum eius, et manum egeno et pauperi non porrigebant.Behold, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: pride, fullness of bread, and prosperous ease was in her and in her daughters, and she did not strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.This sentence lists superbia as an example of iniquity.Tatoeba #12773148 by rul, translation #10098461 by shekitten
- Superbia est peccatum mortale.Pride is a deadly sin.
Example conversation
Lucius and Lucia are discussing a boastful nobleman.
- LuciusVide quam magna est eius superbia.See how great his pride is.
- LuciaIta est, insolens est.That is true, he is arrogant.
- LuciusSuperbia eum caecat.Pride blinds him.
- LuciaUtinam haec superbia mox frangatur!If only this pride would soon be broken!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pride” translations and entries superbia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
