Ways to say it
| Latin |
|---|
| feriō |
| cūdō |
| pulsō |
| plangō |
The verbs in this group all describe the act of striking or hitting, but they differ based on the method and the intent of the action. While most refer to physical contact, they can range from general hitting to specific rhythmic or emotional gestures. Related nouns include plāga, which refers to a physical blow and operistitium, which refers to a work stoppage.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the context of the strike. feriō is the most general term for hitting a person or an object. pulsō often implies a rhythmic striking, such as beating a drum or driving something forward. plangō is specifically used for striking with the hands, such as clapping or beating one's breast in grief. cūdō is a less common synonym for striking, often found in specific poetic or technical contexts.
Related words
Did you know?
- While plangō describes striking the chest in grief, it is the ancestor of the English word 'plaintive', which describes a sound of mourning.
- In Roman culture, plangō was not just a gesture of sadness but a ritualized public display of mourning involving rhythmic striking of the body.
- The verb pulsō is used to describe the beating of a heart, which is why the English word 'pulse' shares the same root.
Examples in context
- Milites hostem acerrime percuterunt.The soldiers struck the enemy fiercely.
- Palma impellit pilam.The hand strikes the ball.
- Marcus servum ferit.Marcus strikes the slave.
- Cymbalum feriō.I strike the cymbal.
Example conversation
Lucius and Aurelia are practicing sword fighting.
- LuciusVide! Ego te feriō!Look! I strike you!
- AureliaNon me tangis, Luci.You do not touch me, Lucius.
- LuciusSed nunc feriō fortius.But now I strike harder.
- AureliaTu non potes vincere.You cannot win.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “strike” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
