quaestio
The Latin word for question is quaestio.
quaestio refers to a sentence, phrase or word used as a question. It is a formal term often used in academic contexts.
Meaning: sentence, phrase or word (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
Thus, it literally means a seeking, an inquiry or a question.
Which one should you use?
While quaestio is used for academic inquiry, interrogatio is the formal term preferred in legal or judicial contexts. If you are discussing a doubt or a moral dilemma in philosophical or theological discussions, scrupulus is the appropriate formal term.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of quaestio is quaestiones, and the genitive singular form, meaning 'of the question', is quaestionis.
Did you know?
- If you are struggling with a moral or ethical question, the Romans might use the word scrupulus instead of quaestio. This word literally refers to a small, sharp stone that causes discomfort.
- Medieval scholars used the quaestio as a formal teaching method, where a master posed a specific problem for students to debate using logic.
- In ancient Rome, the term quaestio referred to a specific type of judicial inquiry or a standing court used to try crimes.
Examples in context
- Quaestio non est facilis.It's not an easy question.This sentence uses quaestio to describe the difficulty of a question.Tatoeba #7435301 by CarpeLanam, translation #2009061 by CM
- Haec est quaestio conscientiae.This is a question of conscience.This sentence uses quaestio to describe a question of conscience.Tatoeba #10612048 by carlosalberto, translation #2233209 by corvard
- Possumne te ultima quaestio ponere?Can I ask you one final question?This sentence uses quaestio to indicate the act of asking a final question.Tatoeba #12962029 by carlosalberto, translation #11642322 by sundown
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucius and Julia are studying a text together.
- LuciusHanc quaestionem non intellego.I do not understand this question.
- JuliaEgo eam intellego, Luci.I understand it, Lucius.
- LuciusUbi est rectum responsum?Where is the correct answer?
- JuliaHaec quaestio est in libro.This question is in the book.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
