īra
The English word 'wrath' is translated into Latin as īra.
īra is a common and neutral term used to describe great anger or an instance of such anger.
Meaning: great anger, an instance of this (noun)
Which one should you use?
While īra is the neutral term for wrath, other Latin words convey different shades of anger. Furor is used to emphasize a furious, raging anger often associated with madness or violence. Vindicta is used when the anger carries a connotation of retaliation or a desire for vengeance and justice.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun changes its ending depending on its role in a sentence. The genitive singular form īrae is used to express possession, meaning 'of wrath'. The accusative plural form īrās is used when the word is the direct object of a verb, meaning 'the wraths'. The ablative singular form īrā expresses the means or instrument, such as 'with wrath' or 'by means of wrath'.
Did you know?
- In Roman mythology, Īra was sometimes personified as a deity or a divine force, rather than just an emotion.
- Roman Stoics, such as Seneca, categorized īra as a temporary madness, treating it more like a medical condition or a mental disease than a personality trait.
- In certain poetic contexts, īra is treated as a feminine power that can 'strike' or 'attack' a person, rather than just being felt.
Examples in context
- ira deorumWrath of the gods
- Satis est, non amplius nostram īram te incitare.It is enough, do not provoke our wrath any more.
Example conversation
Lucia and Quintus are discussing a conflict with a neighbor.
- LuciaVidistine īram vicini nostri?Did you see our neighbor's wrath?
- QuintusIta, valde iratus erat.Yes, he was very angry.
- LuciaCur īra eius sic crescit?Why does his wrath grow so?
- QuintusNescio, sed timeo eum.I don't know, but I fear him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wrath” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
