narrō
In Latin, to tell can be expressed using several different verbs depending on the context. The default form is narrō. Wiktionary also lists memoro.
Meaning: to pass information (verb)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA |
|---|---|
| narrō | |
| memoro | [ˈmɛ.mɔ.roː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈmɛː.mo.ro] (narrow) |
Use narrō when you are telling or narrating a continuous account of events. Use memoro when you are telling or mentioning a specific fact or a brief piece of information.
Which one should you use?
narrō is used for telling a story or a continuous account, whereas memoro is used for mentioning or calling to mind a specific fact or piece of information.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitive form of narrō is narrāre. The infinitive form of memoro is memorāre.
Did you know?
- To 'tell' a lie in Latin doesn't use narrō, but often uses mentīr. This focuses on the falsehood rather than the act of narration.
- The English word 'memorial' comes from the same linguistic family as memoro, showing that 'telling' a fact is the root of creating a lasting tribute.
- The root of memoro is found in other Indo-European languages as well. It is a distant relative of the Sanskrit word smṛti, which refers to that which is remembered.
Examples in context
- Dic mihi veritatem.Tell me the truth.
- Enuntia nobis quid acciderit.Tell us what happened.
- Aperi mihi secretum tuum.Tell me your secret.
- Dic mihi quid novi sit.Tell me what's new.
- Veritatem tibi narrō.I tell you the truth.
Example conversation
Julia and Marcus are discussing a secret.
- JuliaQuid tibi narrem, Marce?What shall I tell you, Marcus?
- MarcusNihil scio.I know nothing.
- JuliaNunc tibi secretum narrō.Now I tell you the secret.
- MarcusGratias tibi ago, Iulia.Thank you, Julia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tell” translations and entries memoro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries memoro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
