cauda
[ˈkau̯.da]
The Latin word for "tail" is cauda.
The most common and general term for an animal's appendage or tail is cauda.
Meaning: appendage of an animal (noun)
Which one should you use?
While cauda is the standard term, you can use caudula specifically to convey the idea of a small or tiny tail.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes depending on its role in a sentence. The genitive singular form, meaning "of the tail", is caudae. When the tail is the direct object of a verb, you must use the accusative form caudam.
Did you know?
- The word cauda shares a common ancestor with the English word 'trunk', via the Latin word caudex, which referred to the stump or trunk of a tree.
- Latin writers used cauda metaphorically to describe the end or the 'tail end' of a speech or a written document.
- In Roman medical or anatomical descriptions, the term 'cauda' can refer to the lower part of the spine or the sacrum.
Examples in context
- Canis mea caudam agitat.My dog is wagging her tail.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the accusative form cauda.Tatoeba #8918429 by alexmarcelo, translation #8764285 by AlanF_US
- Elephanti cauda brevis est.The elephant has a short tail.This sentence shows how to describe the length of an elephant's tail using cauda.Tatoeba #7037358 by alexmarcelo, translation #6704029 by AlanF_US
- Canis mea caudam longam habet.My dog has a long tail.This sentence demonstrates the use of the accusative form cauda.Tatoeba #8426269 by Vibius_Marcus, translation #250765 by CK
- Lupus habet longam caudam.The wolf has a long tail.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucius and Julia are looking at a cat.
- LuciusVide caudam huius felis!Look at the tail of this cat!
- JuliaIta, cauda eius valde longa est.Yes, its tail is very long.
- LuciusCur cauda movetur?Why is the tail moving?
- JuliaFelis cauda se contentam esse ostendit.The cat shows it is happy with its tail.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tail” translations and entries cauda, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cauda, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
