stultus es
In Latin, "you're stupid" is expressed as stultus es.
This phrase is used to tell someone that they lack intelligence.
Which one should you use?
To indicate a higher degree of stupidity, you can use Tu es stultissimus/stultissima to mean "extremely stupid". To convey a slightly different nuance of being "dull-witted", you can use Tu es fatuus/fatua.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word es is the second-person singular present indicative form of the verb esse, meaning "you are". If you are speaking to a woman, you must change the adjective to the feminine form stulta es. To tell a group of people they are stupid, use the plural form stulti estis.
Did you know?
- The word stultus might share an ancient ancestor with the Proto-Germanic word for 'proud', suggesting that being 'stiff' or 'unyielding' was once a synonym for foolishness.
- In Roman comedy, particularly in the plays of Plautus, the stultus character is often a stock trope who provides comic relief through social blunders.
- Ancient Romans sometimes distinguished between stultitia (stupidity) and insania (madness), viewing the former as a failure of reason rather than a medical condition.
Examples in context
- Stultus es.You're stupid.This sentence is useful for saying "You're stupid."Tatoeba #6302512 by soweli_Elepanto, translation #2123495 by CK
- Tu es fatuus! Nonne intelligis?You are dull-witted! Don't you understand?
- Stultus es, si hoc credis.You're stupid if you believe this.
Example conversation
Lucia and Quintus are arguing about a foolish decision.
- LuciaQuinte, stultus es.Quintus, you're stupid.
- QuintusNon sum stultus, Lucia.I am not stupid, Lucia.
- LuciaHoc opus pessimum est.This is a terrible job.
- QuintusMea culpa.My fault.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries es, stultus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
