nōs
The English word 'we' is translated into Latin as nōs.
nōs is a generic pronoun used to refer to the speaker and at least one other person, regardless of whether it's the person being addressed.
Meaning: generic we (the speaker and at least one other person, regardless of whether it's the person being addressed) (pron)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form nōs is also used for the accusative, genitive and ablative cases, meaning 'us' or 'ourselves'. While nōs is the nominative and accusative, the forms nōbīs is used for the dative and ablative cases.
Did you know?
- The pronoun nōs is often omitted entirely in Latin sentences because the verb ending already tells the reader that the subject is 'we'.
- In Latin, the word nōs can be used as a 'plural of majesty', where a single monarch or pope refers to themselves as 'we' to signify their office.
- Latin writers often used nōs as a 'plural of modesty', allowing a single author to say 'we' to avoid sounding too arrogant about their own achievements.
Examples in context
- Scīmus nōs victum īrī.We know that we're going to lose.This sentence shows how to use nōs to express 'we' as the subject of a clause.Tatoeba #11107687 by alexmarcelo, translation #5849389 by CK
- Sciō nōs adiuvāre posse.I know that we can help.This sentence demonstrates the use of nōs meaning 'we' in a subordinate clause.Tatoeba #11108125 by alexmarcelo, translation #3162141 by CK
- Scīmus nōs vincere posse.We know that we can win.This sentence illustrates nōs acting as the subject of the verb 'to be able' to win.Tatoeba #11107665 by alexmarcelo, translation #10016990 by CK
- Nos studemus philosophiae.We study philosophy.
- Nobis placet hac nocte cenare.We like to dine tonight.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aurelia and Marcus are planning their walk.
- AureliaQuōnām iter facimus nōs?Where exactly are we traveling?
- MarcusAd forum īmus.We are going to the forum.
- AureliaNōs tandem ad forum pervenīmus!We have finally arrived at the forum!
- MarcusIta est, Aurelia.That is so, Aurelia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “we” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
