verba
The English phrase "words" is translated into Latin as verba.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the plural 'verba' is verbum. The genitive plural form verborum is used to express 'of the words'. The dative or ablative plural form verbis is used to express 'with the words' or 'by the words'.
Did you know?
- The word verbum is the ancestor of the English word 'verb'. This happened because the 'word' was used as a generic term for the action-carrying part of a sentence.
- The proverb verba volant, scripta manent, 'spoken words fly away, written ones remain', comes from medieval Latin and warns that only what is written lasts.
- There is a distinction between verbum and vox. While verba refers to the words and their meaning, vox refers to the actual sound of the voice.
Examples in context
- Verba tua non intellego.I don't understand your words.Tatoeba #5148519 by alexmarcelo, translation #5149987 by CarpeLanam
- Verba eius non intellego.I don't understand his words.Tatoeba #5148515 by alexmarcelo, translation #5149995 by CarpeLanam
- Haec verba discenda sunt.These words are for learning.Tatoeba #7084730 by alexmarcelo, translation #5622508 by davidb
- 55 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Quintus and Lucia are discussing a poem.
- QuintusHaec verba sunt pulcherrima.These words are very beautiful.
- LuciaIta, sed verba sunt difficilia.Yes, but the words are difficult.
- QuintusQuid haec verba volunt dicere?What do these words want to say?
- LuciaEgo tibi haec verba explicabo.I will explain these words to you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
