saxum
[ˈsak.sũː]neuter
The English word rock can be translated into Latin as saxum, silex or rupes.
Meaning: large stone or boulder (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| saxum | [ˈsak.sũː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈsak.sum] (narrow) |
neuter |
| silex | [ˈsɪ.ɫɛks] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈsiː.leks] (narrow) |
masculine |
| rupes | [ˈruː.peːs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈruː.pes] (narrow) |
feminine |
In Latin, the choice of word depends on whether you are describing a generic large stone, a specific type of hard mineral or a geological formation like a cliff.
Which one should you use?
saxum is the most general term for a large stone or boulder. silex specifically refers to a hard, flint-like stone. rupes refers to a rock in the sense of a cliff or a steep precipice.
How does it change in a sentence?
saxum is a neuter noun, meaning any adjectives describing it must also be in the neuter gender. silex is a masculine noun, and rupes is a feminine noun.
Did you know?
- The word saxum is the root of the English word 'saxifrage', a type of plant. The name literally means 'stone-breaker' because the plant's roots can crack rocks.
- The word saxum may be a distant relative of the Proto-Germanic word for 'knife'. This suggests the term originally described a 'broken-off piece' rather than a natural boulder.
- The English word 'silica' comes from the Latin silex. The name of the element silicon comes from the same Roman word for flint.
Examples in context
- Thomas inter sacrum saxumque stat.Tom is caught between a rock and a hard place.This sentence shows how to express the idiom of being caught between a rock and a hard place using saxum.Tatoeba #7481394 by jimkillock, translation #1040592 by CK
- Saxum, quod in spelunca invenerunt, pondo fere ducenta chiliogrammata pendit.The rock they found in the cave weighs almost two hundred kilograms.This sentence is useful for describing the weight of a rock found in a cave using saxum.Tatoeba #8520365 by alexmarcelo, translation #7061040 by mervert1
- Inter sacrum saxumque.Between a rock and a hard place.This is a shortened version of the idiom using saxum.Tatoeba #7481395 by jimkillock, translation #652363 by Eldad
- Petra altissima in monte conspicitur.A very high rock is visible on the mountain.
- Silex tergum mihi laesit.A rock hurt my back.
Example conversation
Lucius and Aurelia are hiking in the mountains.
- LuciusCave! Magnum saxum in via est.Watch out! There is a large rock in the way.
- AureliaIta, hoc saxum video.Yes, I see this rock.
- LuciusPossumusne super hoc saxum scandere?Can we climb over this rock?
- AureliaIta, Luci, hoc saxum non est lubricum.Yes, Lucius, this rock is not slippery.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rock” translations and entries saxum, silex, rupes, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rupes, saxum, silex, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
