serpēns
The English word 'serpent' can be translated into Latin using several terms, the default being serpēns. Wiktionary also lists coluber and anguis.
Meaning: snake (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| serpēns | ||
| coluber | [ˈkɔ.ɫʊ.bɛr] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈkɔː.lu.ber] (narrow) |
masculine |
| anguis | [ˈaŋ.ɡʷɪs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈaŋ.ɡʷis] (narrow) |
masculine |
Which one should you use?
While serpēns emphasizes the action of creeping, coluber is a standard noun for a snake.
How does it change in a sentence?
serpēns is a present participle. coluber is a second-declension masculine noun, and anguis is a third-declension masculine noun.
Did you know?
- The term coluber may be related to the Latin word colus, which refers to a 'distaff' used in spinning wool.
- In Latin literature, anguis is often used metaphorically to describe a cunning or treacherous person, similar to how 'snake' is used in English today.
- The word serpēns is the direct ancestor of the English word 'serpent', preserving the original Latin sense of a creature that crawls.
Examples in context
- Fiat Dan coluber in via, cerastes in semita, mordens calcanea equi, ut cadat ascensor eius retro.Let Dan be a snake in the way, a serpent in the path, that biteth the horse's heels, that his rider may fall backward.This sentence is useful for seeing how coluber is used to describe a snake in a path or way.Tatoeba #7923892 by carlosalberto, translation #7923894 by carlosalberto
- Serpēns in herba habitat.A serpent lives in the grass.
Example conversation
Aurelia and Lucius are walking in the woods.
- AureliaLuci, vide! Serpēns in herba est.Lucius, look! There is a snake in the grass.
- LuciusUbi est? Nihil video.Where is it? I see nothing.
- AureliaIbi est, iuxta lapidem magnum.It is there, next to the big stone.
- LuciusEamus hinc celeriter, Aurelia.Let us leave here quickly, Aurelia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “serpent” translations and entries coluber, anguis, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anguis, coluber, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
