vērus
The Latin word for true is vērus.
vērus is a straightforward translation for something that is genuine, real or faithful to its nature, meaning it concurs with a given set of facts.
Meaning: concurring with a given set of facts (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes based on the gender of the noun it describes: use vēra for feminine nouns and vērum for neuter nouns. The masculine/feminine genitive singular form is vērī, while the dative or ablative plural for masculine/feminine nouns is vērīs.
When do people say it?
The phrase In vino veritas is a well-known expression meaning "In wine, there is truth."
Did you know?
- The word vērus is a distant relative of the English word 'very', which evolved from the Old French 'verai' meaning 'true'.
- The Latin root of vērus is also the basis for the English word 'verify', which literally means to make something 'true'.
- The concept of 'truth' in Latin is often split between vēritas, the abstract quality of being true, and vērum, the specific factual statement.
Examples in context
- Vērus est, is dīves est, sed avārus est.It is true he is rich, but he is a miser.This sentence shows how to use vērus to describe a statement of fact.Tatoeba #1449190 by seveleu_dubrovnik, translation #36226 by CK
- Est amicus verusHe is a true friend
- Semper veritatem dicitAlways says the truth
- Testimonium eius est fideleHis testimony is faithful
- Narratio eius est veridicaHis story is true
- Hic est vērus nuntius.This is a true report.
- Vērus est amicus meus.He is a true friend of mine.
Example conversation
Lucia and Marcus are discussing a story.
- LuciaEstne vērum hoc cōnsilium?Is this a true plan?
- MarcusIta, vērum est.Yes, it is true.
- LuciaCur id dīcis, Marce?Why do you say that, Marcus?
- MarcusQuia tē docuī.Because I taught you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “true” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
