zerum
[ˈzeː.rũː]neuter
The English phrase "zero" can be translated into Latin as zerum. Wiktionary also lists nihilum and zephirum.
Meaning: cardinal number before 1, denoting nothing (num)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| zerum | [ˈzeː.rũː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈd͡zɛː.rum] (narrow) |
neuter |
| nihilum | [ˈni.(ɦ)ɪ.ɫũː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈniː.ki.lum] (narrow) |
neuter |
| zephirum | [ˈzeː.pʰɪ.rũː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈd͡zɛː.fi.rum] (narrow) |
Mediaeval, masculine |
| cifra | [ˈkiː.fra] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈt͡ʃiː.fra] (narrow) |
Mediaeval, feminine |
| nūlla | Mediaeval, numeral |
The terms used for zero in Latin denote the cardinal number before 1, denoting nothing.
Which one should you use?
zerum and nihilum are neuter forms. In a Mediaeval context, zephirum is a masculine form, while cifra is a feminine form used to refer to the digit zero or a cipher. nūlla is a Mediaeval form used specifically as a numeral.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The word 'cifra' is used in a Mediaeval context to refer to the digit zero or a cipher.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms provided have different genders: zerum and nihilum are neuter, zephirum is masculine and cifra is feminine. The related adjective nullus can be used informally to mean 'virtually none'.
Did you know?
- The Latin word cifra comes from the Arabic ṣifr, which itself translated the Sanskrit śūnya, 'empty'.
- Although we use the word 'cipher' in English to mean a secret code, its Latin ancestor cifra originally meant the digit zero.
Examples in context
- Numera a decem usque ad nihilum.Count from 10 down to zero.This sentence shows how to use nihilum in the context of counting down to zero.Tatoeba #10690645 by carlosalberto, translation #73474 by CK
Example conversation
Gaius and Lucia are discussing a score.
- GaiusQuot puncta habes, Lucia?How many points do you have, Lucia?
- LuciaZerum habeo.I have zero.
- GaiusEgo quoque habeo zerum.I have zero too.
- LuciaLudus est difficilis!The game is difficult!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “zero” translations and entries zerum, nihilum, zephirum, cifra, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cifra, nihilum, zephirum, zerum, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
