occidens
[ˈɔk.kɪ.dẽːs]
In Latin, the word for west is occidens. Wiktionary also lists occāsus.
Meaning: compass point (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| occidens | [ˈɔk.kɪ.dẽːs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈɔt.t͡ʃi.dens] (narrow) |
|
| occāsus | masculine |
The term is used to denote the west as a compass point or a general direction. The related adjective occidentalis should be used when you wish to say 'western'.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun occidens is a present participle derived from the verb occido, which means to go down or to set. It literally means 'the setting', referring to the setting of the sun.
Which one should you use?
Use occidens when referring to the west as a direction or a concept. In contrast, occāsus refers specifically to the act of sinking or the setting of the sun.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
occidentalis is the adjective form used to mean 'western'.
Did you know?
- The Latin word for west, occidens, shares the exact same root as the English word 'kill' or 'slay', as both stem from the idea of 'falling down'.
- In early Roman map-making, the 'top' of the map was often the east, meaning the occidens was located at the bottom of the page.
- Because occidens describes the sun setting, the Romans viewed the west as the direction of decline and ending, while the east was the direction of birth.
Examples in context
- Tempus est ad occidentem ire.It's time to go towards the west.
- Ad occasum spectare est contemplare divinum opus naturae.To look towards the west is to contemplate the divine work of nature.
- Cum amicis ad occasum ambulamus.We walk towards the west with friends.
Example conversation
Lucia and Gaius are looking at a map.
- LuciaUbi est oppidum?Where is the town?
- GaiusOppidum ad occidentem est.The town is in the west.
- LuciaEstne longum iter?Is it a long journey?
- GaiusIta, iter longum est.Yes, it is a long journey.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “west” translations and entries occidens, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries occidens, CC BY-SA 4.0.
