mare
[ˈma.rɛ]neuter
The English word 'sea' is translated into Latin as mare. Wiktionary also lists pontus and aequor.
Meaning: body of water (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mare | [ˈma.rɛ] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈmaː.re] (narrow) |
neuter |
| pontus | [ˈpɔn.tʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈpɔn.tus] (narrow) |
|
| aequor | [ˈae̯.kʷɔr] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈɛː.kʷor] (narrow) |
|
| pelagus | [ˈpɛ.ɫa.ɡʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈpɛː.la.ɡus] (narrow) |
masculine |
Which one should you use?
The word mare is the most common and neutral term for the sea. For more specific contexts, you might use pontus, which carries a grander or more poetic connotation often referring to the deep sea. If you want to emphasize the open, high seas away from the shore, use pelagus. For a poetic description of the sea as a smooth, level surface, the word aequor is used. In mythological or poetic contexts, oceanus refers to the great ocean that encircles the earth.
How does it change in a sentence?
mare is a neuter noun. Its plural form is maria, and the genitive singular form, meaning 'of the sea', is maris.
Did you know?
- The word mare is the root of the English word 'mare' used for the moon's dark plains, which early astronomers mistook for dried seas.
- The phrase mare nostrum, meaning 'our sea', was the standard Roman way to refer to the Mediterranean Sea as a Roman lake.
- The word pontus is not originally Latin, but was borrowed directly from the Ancient Greek word πόντος.
Examples in context
- Nuda in mare mersit.She dived naked into the sea.This sentence illustrates the use of mare in the context of diving into the water.Tatoeba #7055466 by alexmarcelo, translation #2118668 by Hybrid
- Mare valde latum est.The sea is very wide.This sentence uses mare to describe the width of the sea.Tatoeba #5031810 by alexmarcelo, translation #22230 by vxern
- Num mare vastum vides?You don’t see a vast sea?This sentence uses mare to describe the vastness of the sea.Tatoeba #1914858 by alexmarcelo, translation #8799578 by jimkillock
- In aquore navigare me delectat.I enjoy sailing in the sea.
- 48 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Claudia and Lucius are standing on a beach.
- ClaudiaEcce, quantum mare est!Look, how big the sea is!
- LuciusIta, mare hodie tranquillum est.Yes, the sea is calm today.
- ClaudiaVisne in mari natare, Luci?Do you want to swim in the sea, Lucius?
- LuciusNon volo, quia mare frigidum est.I don't want to, because the sea is cold.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sea” translations and entries mare, pontus, aequor, pelagus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aequor, mare, pelagus, pontus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
