How to Say "Shop" in Latin - How To Say Guide

taberna

[taˈbɛr.na]feminine

The Latin word for shop is taberna.

taberna refers to a small shop, a street-side booth or even a tavern/inn depending on the context.

Meaning: establishment that sells goods (noun)

Which one should you use?

While officina more commonly means "workshop," it can also be used to describe a shop where goods are produced or repaired.

The plural form of taberna is tabernae. The direct object form (accusative singular) of taberna is tabernam.

The English word 'tavern' is a direct descendant of taberna, reflecting the ancient dual use of these shops as places to both buy goods and drink wine.
The word taberna traces its origins back to the word for a wooden beam or tree trunk, suggesting that the earliest 'shops' were merely simple wooden sheds.
In many Roman cities, a single taberna was actually a narrow, deep room that opened directly onto the street, serving as both a storefront and a living space.

Quid in taberna emit?
What did she buy at the shop?
This sentence shows how to use taberna to indicate where someone bought something.
Tatoeba #1349215 by alexmarcelo, translation #311372 by CK
Haec taberna mihi est.
This shop belongs to me.
This sentence demonstrates using taberna to show ownership.
Tatoeba #5022606 by CarpeLanam, translation #5018945 by paulstiles91
Librum in taberna emit.
She bought a book in the shop.
This sentence illustrates using taberna to describe the location of a purchase.
Tatoeba #1204757 by alexmarcelo, translation #6001666 by CarpeLanam
Volo iter facere ad mercatum.
I want to go to the market.
14 more sentences on Tatoeba

Aurelia and Gaius are walking through the city market.

Sources

Wiktionary, “shop” translations and entries taberna, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries taberna, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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