Latin for e-mail
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− | {{LanguageBar|Latin for e-mail}} | + | {{LanguageBar|Latin for e-mail}}{{Latin grammar articles}} |
− | + | ==Introduction== | |
− | + | In keeping with ''[[mos maiorum]]'' we, the citizens of [[Nova Roma]], seek to use as much [[Latin]] in our various communications as possible. Being a global community, we will often use e-mail or mailing lists to communicate with each other. | |
− | + | This page is a guide for new citizens and beginners, to aid you along your path to [[Romanitas]]. Below is a basic framework for using [[Latin]] throughout various written communication mediums to help you better assimilate and become a true Roman! | |
+ | |||
+ | ==Latin Layout== | ||
+ | |||
+ | To aid you in understanding how Latin changes the format of a letter, we will use the example of ''Agricola'', writing a letter (or e-mail) to ''Cordus''. | ||
− | |||
{|border="1" cellpadding="2" style="background:white" | {|border="1" cellpadding="2" style="background:white" | ||
− | !A | + | !A typical letter in English looks like this: |
− | !Latin style | + | !Latin style changes the format slightly: |
− | !A similar letter in Latin looks like this: | + | !A similar letter all in Latin looks like this: |
|- | |- | ||
− | |width=" | + | |width="38%"|Dear Cordus, |
− | + | Keep practicing your Latin. | |
− | + | Sincerely, | |
− | + | Agricola | |
− | |width="33%"| | + | |width="33%"|Agricola sends greetings to Cordus, |
− | + | Keep practicing your Latin. | |
Take care! | Take care! | ||
− | |Agricola Cordo sal. | + | |''Agricola Cordo sal.'' |
− | + | Latine semper exerceas. | |
− | + | ''Vale!'' | |
|} | |} | ||
− | The big difference is that the sender's name goes | + | The big difference is that the sender's name goes at the top of the letter, not at the bottom. It is still acceptable to follow the familiar conventions and also include the sender's name on the bottom, but the way shown above is more "authentic". |
− | + | Of course, just like in English, there are several ways to write a letter or message to someone - some formal and others less so. Read on below to explore various Latin methods, starting with more colloquial, less formal approaches. | |
+ | ==Initial Greetings== | ||
− | + | The words and phrases that [[Latin]] uses usually have meanings of "sends a greeting" or "be well!". Several Latin phrases and examples have been prepared below which you can use depending on the circumstance or context of your letter, e-mail or message. | |
− | + | ||
− | The words that Latin uses usually have | + | |
===Hello!=== | ===Hello!=== | ||
− | + | This greeting uses a Latin verb that means "to be well". | |
− | *If you are writing to exactly one person, use "Salve!" (the imperative singular). | + | *If you are writing to exactly one person, use "''Salve!''" (the imperative singular). |
− | *If you are writing to more than one person, use "Salvete!" (the imperative plural). | + | *If you are writing to more than one person, use "''Salvete!''" (the imperative plural). |
(Grammar note: "Imperative" means the form of the verb that gives a command. You are making a command that your reader(s) be well! Very Roman of you.) | (Grammar note: "Imperative" means the form of the verb that gives a command. You are making a command that your reader(s) be well! Very Roman of you.) | ||
− | ===Hello | + | ===Hello Cordus!=== |
:''Main article: [[Vocative]]'' | :''Main article: [[Vocative]]'' | ||
− | When we | + | When we address someone directly by name, we use the form of the name called the "[[vocative]]". Here are the basic rules for making a vocative: |
− | *If a name ends in "-ius", then the vocative ends in "-i". "Tullius" becomes "Tulli". | + | *If a name ends in "-ius", then the vocative ends in "-i". For example, "''Tullius''" becomes "''Tulli''". |
− | *If a name ends in "-us", then the vocative ends in "-e". "Marcus" becomes "Marce". | + | *If a name ends in "-us", then the vocative ends in "-e". For example, "''Marcus''" becomes "''Marce''". |
− | *All other names do not change at all. "Felix" stays "Felix", " | + | *All other names do not change at all. Examples include: "''Felix''" stays "''Felix''", "''Fabia''" stays "''Fabia''", and so on. |
+ | |||
+ | It is the general convention that you address someone by their [[cognomen]] (the last part of the name). Women were often called by their [[nomen]] (middle name) alone. | ||
− | + | Here are some more examples: | |
+ | *To say hello to Marcus Lucretius Agricola you would write "''Salve, Agricola!''". | ||
+ | *To say hello to Aulus Apollonius Cordus you would write "''Salve, Corde!''". | ||
+ | *To say hello to Gaius Equitius Cato you would write "''Salve, Cato!''". | ||
− | + | Roman tradition dictates that you should never refer to someone by their [[praenomen]] (first name). The use of the praenomen was reserved for among family members or very close friends and they were never used in a public forum. Examples of the use of praenomen in this situation would look like: | |
− | * | + | *"''Salve, Marce!''" |
− | * | + | *"''Salve, Aule!''" |
− | * | + | *"''Salve, Gai!''" |
− | + | It is recommended you read more on how to address fellow citizens in our article on [[using Roman names]]. | |
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
− | |||
===Hello Everyone!=== | ===Hello Everyone!=== | ||
− | You need to use plurals | + | You need to use plurals: "''Salvete omnes!''" |
− | (Grammar note: "Salvete!" is the plural of "Salve!" and " | + | (Grammar note: "''Salvete!''" is the plural of "''Salve!''" and "''omnes''" is the plural of "''omnis''", meaning "all" or "every".) |
− | === | + | ===Agricola sends greetings to Cordus=== |
+ | :''Main article: [[Dative]]'' | ||
− | The hard part here is "to | + | The hard part here is how to write "to Cordus". In Latin, we do not use a word for "to" in this context. Instead, we change the end of the name in a way that denotes that they are receiving the greeting. |
− | + | This form of the name, or any noun, is called the "[[dative|dative case]]".) Here are some basic rules how to make the [[dative]]: | |
− | * | + | *'''Names ending in -us:''' Lentul-us -> Lentul-o |
− | * | + | *'''Names ending in -a:''' Tulli-a -> Tulli-ae |
− | * | + | *'''Names ending in -o:''' Cat-o -> Cato-oni |
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
− | + | Here are some full names in the [[dative]] case for example: | |
− | + | *''Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus'' -> ''Gnaeo Cornelio Lentulo'' | |
+ | *''Aula Tullia Scholastica'' -> ''Aulae Tulliae Scholasticae'' | ||
+ | *''Gaius Equitius Cato'' -> ''Gaio Equitio Catoni'' | ||
− | + | There are some names that don't fit these patterns. You will have to learn more Latin to grasp the unusual cases. Or you can simply ask the Roman in question; they'll know. | |
− | + | "Sends greetings" is a simple phrase "''salutem dicit''" but the Romans nearly always abbreviated it as "''s. d.''" or "''sal.''" See Example 2 below for a sample. | |
− | + | On a mailing list you might say hello to everyone, as we show below in '''Example 3.''' | |
− | (Grammar note: | + | (Grammar note: "''omnibus''" means "to everyone". ) |
+ | (Grammar note: In this example, "''valete''" is plural because "''Omnibus''" is plural. Agricola sent greetings to "all" and so said goodbye in the plural.) | ||
− | |||
− | + | ===Agricola sends greetings to Cordus and Everyone=== | |
− | + | If you want to send to, or reply to a message by, one person, but you also want to greet everyone else who is reading, you could write it like '''Example 4'''. | |
+ | (Grammar note: In this example, the "''-que''" on the end of "''omnibusque''" means "and".) | ||
− | |||
− | "Salutem plurimam dicit", means "says many greetings". You can write it out, but S.P.D. is a common acronym. Example: "Agricola Cordo S.P.D." | + | ===Agricola sends many greetings to Cordus=== |
+ | |||
+ | "''Salutem plurimam dicit''", means "says many greetings". You can write it out, but "''S.P.D.''" is a common acronym. Example: "''Agricola Cordo S.P.D.''" | ||
===I really hope you're well=== | ===I really hope you're well=== | ||
− | "Si vales, bene est, ego valeo" literally means "If you are sound, that is well; I'm sound". The | + | "''Si vales, bene est, ego valeo''" literally means "If you are sound, that is well; I'm sound". The common usage of this phrase is in the abbreviated form, "''S.V.B.E.E.V.''" You can write this in addition to saying hello: “''Agricola Cordo S.P.D. S.V.B.E.E.V.''” |
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ==Closing salutations== | ||
+ | [[Latin]] has its own customs for closing a letter or message. Below are the most common ones you will encounter that you can use. | ||
− | |||
===Goodbye!=== | ===Goodbye!=== | ||
− | If you start with "Salve!" or "Salvete!" you can end with "Vale!" or "Valete!". The meaning is still "be well!" Can you see which is singular and which is plural? | + | If you start with "''Salve!''" or "''Salvete!''" you can end with "''Vale!''" or "''Valete!''". The meaning is still "be well!" Can you see which is singular and which is plural? |
Example 1 is a friendly, informal letter from M. Lucretius Agricola to A. Apollonius Cordus. | Example 1 is a friendly, informal letter from M. Lucretius Agricola to A. Apollonius Cordus. | ||
− | *To say "be very well" you could use "Bene vale!". | + | *To say "be very well" you could use "''Bene vale!''". |
− | *To say "be most well" you could use "Optime vale!". | + | *To say "be most well" you could use "''Optime vale!''". |
(Grammar note: "bene" and "optime" are adverbs.) | (Grammar note: "bene" and "optime" are adverbs.) | ||
+ | A '''more elegant''' and formal way to say goodbye is to use the expression "''Cura, ut valeas!''" which means "Take care that you be well." In plural it will become "''Curate, ut valeatis!''". | ||
− | |||
− | This is a nice way to end a formal letter, instead of the simple " | + | ===May the gods keep you safe=== |
+ | |||
+ | This is a nice way to end a formal letter, instead of the simple "''Vale!''" or "''Valete!''" "''Di te incolumem custodiant!''" is singular and "''Di vos incolumes custodiant!''" is plural. It means "may the Gods guard your safety". | ||
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!Example 4<br/>Hello to one person and everyone. | !Example 4<br/>Hello to one person and everyone. | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |Salve Corde! | + | |''Salve Corde!'' |
Blah blah blah | Blah blah blah | ||
− | Vale! | + | ''Vale! |
− | Agricola | + | Agricola'' |
− | |Agricola Cordo sal. | + | |''Agricola Cordo sal.'' |
Blah blah blah. | Blah blah blah. | ||
− | + | ''Vale!'' | |
− | |Agricola | + | |''Agricola omnibus sal.'' |
Blah blah blah. | Blah blah blah. | ||
− | + | ''Valete!'' | |
− | |Agricola Cordo | + | |''Agricola Cordo omnibusque sal.'' |
Blah blah blah. | Blah blah blah. | ||
− | + | ''Valete!'' | |
|} | |} | ||
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!The same example with everything spelled out. | !The same example with everything spelled out. | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |Agricola Cordo S.P.D. | + | |''Agricola Cordo S.P.D. |
− | S.V.B.E.E.V. | + | S.V.B.E.E.V.'' |
− | I see that a new legio was just created. I'm not sure how many legiones | + | I see that a new legio was just created. I'm not sure how many ''legiones'' Nova Roma has now... do you know? |
− | Di te incolumem custodiant! | + | ''Di te incolumem custodiant!'' |
− | |Agricola Cordo salutem plurimam dicit. | + | |''Agricola Cordo salutem plurimam dicit. |
− | Si vales, bene est, ego valeo. | + | Si vales, bene est, ego valeo.'' |
− | I see that a new legio was just created. I'm not sure how many legiones | + | I see that a new legio was just created. I'm not sure how many ''legiones'' Nova Roma has now... do you know? |
− | + | ''Cura, ut valeas!'' | |
|} | |} | ||
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!An example with everything spelled out and in the plural. | !An example with everything spelled out and in the plural. | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |M. Lucretius Agricola | + | |''M. Lucretius Agricola omnibus salutem plurimam dicit. |
− | Si valetis, bene est, ego valeo. | + | Si valetis, bene est, ego valeo.'' |
I hope all New Romans will learn about Academia Thules and Sodalitas Latinitatis, two excellent places to learn more Latin. You can learn more about them on the Nova Roma website at www.novaroma.org/nr/Main_Page . | I hope all New Romans will learn about Academia Thules and Sodalitas Latinitatis, two excellent places to learn more Latin. You can learn more about them on the Nova Roma website at www.novaroma.org/nr/Main_Page . | ||
− | Di vos incolumes custodiant! | + | ''Di vos incolumes custodiant!'' |
|} | |} | ||
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==Difficult names== | ==Difficult names== | ||
− | Finally, here are a few of those troublesome names with difficult | + | Finally, here are a few of those troublesome names with difficult [[dative]]s: |
− | *Astur -> Asturi | + | |
− | * | + | '''-R''' changes to '''-RI''': |
− | *Cato -> Catoni | + | *''Astur'' -> ''Asturi'' |
− | * | + | *''Caesar'' -> ''Caesari'' |
− | + | ||
− | *Felix -> Felici | + | '''-O''' changes to '''-ONI''': |
+ | *''Cato'' -> ''Catoni'' | ||
+ | *''Cicero'' -> ''Ciceroni'' | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''-X''' changes to '''-CI''': | ||
+ | *''Felix'' -> ''Felici'' | ||
+ | *''Velox'' -> ''Veloci'' | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''-NS''' changes to '''-NTI''': | ||
+ | *''Audens'' -> ''Audenti'' | ||
+ | *''Prudens'' -> ''Prudenti'' | ||
==Latin words== | ==Latin words== | ||
− | There are many Latin words you're likely to see | + | There are many Latin words you're likely to see and are frequently used in our communities. This can't be a complete Latin glossary, so keeping a dictionary by the computer is a good idea. See [[Reading list for lingua Latina]] for suggestions on Latin dictionaries. See [[Online resources for Latin]] for online dictionaries. Study our articles about [[Latin grammar]], [[declension]]s and [[Latin language]], visit our short [[Latin phrasebook]]. |
* "''Gens''" means "clan" (plural "''gentes''"). | * "''Gens''" means "clan" (plural "''gentes''"). | ||
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* "''Edictum''" means "edict" (plural "''edicta''") | * "''Edictum''" means "edict" (plural "''edicta''") | ||
− | The names of magistracies are usually in Latin. Sometimes the singular form seems familiar but the plural is not what would be expected in English. You could use these forms when writing to the office holders. | + | |
+ | The names of '''[[Magistracies (Nova Roma)|magistracies]]''' are usually in [[Latin]]. Sometimes the singular form seems familiar but the plural is not what would be expected in English. To learn more about '''Latin plurals''', read [[Nominative|this article]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | You could use these forms when writing to the office holders. | ||
{| border="1" | {| border="1" | ||
− | !width="25%"|Nominative singular | + | !width="25%"|[[Nominative]] singular |
− | !width="25%"|Dative singular | + | !width="25%"|[[Dative]] singular |
− | !width="25%"|Nominative plural | + | !width="25%"|[[Nominative]] plural |
− | !width="25%"|Dative plural | + | !width="25%"|[[Dative]] plural |
|- | |- | ||
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|} | |} | ||
− | '''Example''': Marcus Tullius Cicero would start a letter to the | + | '''Example''': Marcus Tullius Cicero would start a letter to the ''censores'' thus: ''M. Tullius Cicero censoribus S.P.D.'' |
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===Computer Terms=== | ||
+ | |||
+ | {|border="1" cellpadding="2" style="background:#ffffff" | ||
+ | |||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |||
+ | !English | ||
+ | !Latin | ||
+ | |||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | website | ||
+ | | ''situs interretialis'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | computer | ||
+ | |''computator'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | e-mail | ||
+ | |''epistula electronica'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | sound file | ||
+ | |''scapus sonorus'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | list | ||
+ | |''index'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | download | ||
+ | |''onerare'' | ||
+ | |||
+ | |} | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
− | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Latin language]] |
Latest revision as of 19:27, 10 March 2022
Home| Latíné | Deutsch | Español | Français | Italiano | Magyar | Português | Română | Русский | English
Introduction
The Latin language
The Latin sentence
The four conjugations
The five declensions
Nominative - Accusative - Genitive - Dative - Ablative
Latin phrasebook
Latin for e-mail
Latin jokes
Reading list
Online resources
Contents |
Introduction
In keeping with mos maiorum we, the citizens of Nova Roma, seek to use as much Latin in our various communications as possible. Being a global community, we will often use e-mail or mailing lists to communicate with each other.
This page is a guide for new citizens and beginners, to aid you along your path to Romanitas. Below is a basic framework for using Latin throughout various written communication mediums to help you better assimilate and become a true Roman!
Latin Layout
To aid you in understanding how Latin changes the format of a letter, we will use the example of Agricola, writing a letter (or e-mail) to Cordus.
A typical letter in English looks like this: | Latin style changes the format slightly: | A similar letter all in Latin looks like this: |
---|---|---|
Dear Cordus,
Keep practicing your Latin. Sincerely, Agricola |
Agricola sends greetings to Cordus,
Keep practicing your Latin. Take care! |
Agricola Cordo sal.
Latine semper exerceas. Vale! |
The big difference is that the sender's name goes at the top of the letter, not at the bottom. It is still acceptable to follow the familiar conventions and also include the sender's name on the bottom, but the way shown above is more "authentic".
Of course, just like in English, there are several ways to write a letter or message to someone - some formal and others less so. Read on below to explore various Latin methods, starting with more colloquial, less formal approaches.
Initial Greetings
The words and phrases that Latin uses usually have meanings of "sends a greeting" or "be well!". Several Latin phrases and examples have been prepared below which you can use depending on the circumstance or context of your letter, e-mail or message.
Hello!
This greeting uses a Latin verb that means "to be well".
- If you are writing to exactly one person, use "Salve!" (the imperative singular).
- If you are writing to more than one person, use "Salvete!" (the imperative plural).
(Grammar note: "Imperative" means the form of the verb that gives a command. You are making a command that your reader(s) be well! Very Roman of you.)
Hello Cordus!
- Main article: Vocative
When we address someone directly by name, we use the form of the name called the "vocative". Here are the basic rules for making a vocative:
- If a name ends in "-ius", then the vocative ends in "-i". For example, "Tullius" becomes "Tulli".
- If a name ends in "-us", then the vocative ends in "-e". For example, "Marcus" becomes "Marce".
- All other names do not change at all. Examples include: "Felix" stays "Felix", "Fabia" stays "Fabia", and so on.
It is the general convention that you address someone by their cognomen (the last part of the name). Women were often called by their nomen (middle name) alone.
Here are some more examples:
- To say hello to Marcus Lucretius Agricola you would write "Salve, Agricola!".
- To say hello to Aulus Apollonius Cordus you would write "Salve, Corde!".
- To say hello to Gaius Equitius Cato you would write "Salve, Cato!".
Roman tradition dictates that you should never refer to someone by their praenomen (first name). The use of the praenomen was reserved for among family members or very close friends and they were never used in a public forum. Examples of the use of praenomen in this situation would look like:
- "Salve, Marce!"
- "Salve, Aule!"
- "Salve, Gai!"
It is recommended you read more on how to address fellow citizens in our article on using Roman names.
Hello Everyone!
You need to use plurals: "Salvete omnes!"
(Grammar note: "Salvete!" is the plural of "Salve!" and "omnes" is the plural of "omnis", meaning "all" or "every".)
Agricola sends greetings to Cordus
- Main article: Dative
The hard part here is how to write "to Cordus". In Latin, we do not use a word for "to" in this context. Instead, we change the end of the name in a way that denotes that they are receiving the greeting.
This form of the name, or any noun, is called the "dative case".) Here are some basic rules how to make the dative:
- Names ending in -us: Lentul-us -> Lentul-o
- Names ending in -a: Tulli-a -> Tulli-ae
- Names ending in -o: Cat-o -> Cato-oni
Here are some full names in the dative case for example:
- Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus -> Gnaeo Cornelio Lentulo
- Aula Tullia Scholastica -> Aulae Tulliae Scholasticae
- Gaius Equitius Cato -> Gaio Equitio Catoni
There are some names that don't fit these patterns. You will have to learn more Latin to grasp the unusual cases. Or you can simply ask the Roman in question; they'll know.
"Sends greetings" is a simple phrase "salutem dicit" but the Romans nearly always abbreviated it as "s. d." or "sal." See Example 2 below for a sample.
On a mailing list you might say hello to everyone, as we show below in Example 3.
(Grammar note: "omnibus" means "to everyone". )
(Grammar note: In this example, "valete" is plural because "Omnibus" is plural. Agricola sent greetings to "all" and so said goodbye in the plural.)
Agricola sends greetings to Cordus and Everyone
If you want to send to, or reply to a message by, one person, but you also want to greet everyone else who is reading, you could write it like Example 4.
(Grammar note: In this example, the "-que" on the end of "omnibusque" means "and".)
Agricola sends many greetings to Cordus
"Salutem plurimam dicit", means "says many greetings". You can write it out, but "S.P.D." is a common acronym. Example: "Agricola Cordo S.P.D."
I really hope you're well
"Si vales, bene est, ego valeo" literally means "If you are sound, that is well; I'm sound". The common usage of this phrase is in the abbreviated form, "S.V.B.E.E.V." You can write this in addition to saying hello: “Agricola Cordo S.P.D. S.V.B.E.E.V.”
Closing salutations
Latin has its own customs for closing a letter or message. Below are the most common ones you will encounter that you can use.
Goodbye!
If you start with "Salve!" or "Salvete!" you can end with "Vale!" or "Valete!". The meaning is still "be well!" Can you see which is singular and which is plural?
Example 1 is a friendly, informal letter from M. Lucretius Agricola to A. Apollonius Cordus.
- To say "be very well" you could use "Bene vale!".
- To say "be most well" you could use "Optime vale!".
(Grammar note: "bene" and "optime" are adverbs.)
A more elegant and formal way to say goodbye is to use the expression "Cura, ut valeas!" which means "Take care that you be well." In plural it will become "Curate, ut valeatis!".
May the gods keep you safe
This is a nice way to end a formal letter, instead of the simple "Vale!" or "Valete!" "Di te incolumem custodiant!" is singular and "Di vos incolumes custodiant!" is plural. It means "may the Gods guard your safety".
Examples
Example 1 Simple Hello and Goodbye. |
Example 2 Hello and Goodbye, Roman style. |
Example 3 Hello to Everyone. |
Example 4 Hello to one person and everyone. |
---|---|---|---|
Salve Corde!
Blah blah blah Vale! Agricola |
Agricola Cordo sal.
Blah blah blah. Vale! |
Agricola omnibus sal.
Blah blah blah. Valete! |
Agricola Cordo omnibusque sal.
Blah blah blah. Valete! |
More Examples
An example | The same example with everything spelled out. |
---|---|
Agricola Cordo S.P.D.
S.V.B.E.E.V. I see that a new legio was just created. I'm not sure how many legiones Nova Roma has now... do you know? Di te incolumem custodiant!
|
Agricola Cordo salutem plurimam dicit.
Si vales, bene est, ego valeo. I see that a new legio was just created. I'm not sure how many legiones Nova Roma has now... do you know? Cura, ut valeas! |
An example with everything spelled out and in the plural. |
---|
M. Lucretius Agricola omnibus salutem plurimam dicit.
Si valetis, bene est, ego valeo. I hope all New Romans will learn about Academia Thules and Sodalitas Latinitatis, two excellent places to learn more Latin. You can learn more about them on the Nova Roma website at www.novaroma.org/nr/Main_Page . Di vos incolumes custodiant! |
Difficult names
Finally, here are a few of those troublesome names with difficult datives:
-R changes to -RI:
- Astur -> Asturi
- Caesar -> Caesari
-O changes to -ONI:
- Cato -> Catoni
- Cicero -> Ciceroni
-X changes to -CI:
- Felix -> Felici
- Velox -> Veloci
-NS changes to -NTI:
- Audens -> Audenti
- Prudens -> Prudenti
Latin words
There are many Latin words you're likely to see and are frequently used in our communities. This can't be a complete Latin glossary, so keeping a dictionary by the computer is a good idea. See Reading list for lingua Latina for suggestions on Latin dictionaries. See Online resources for Latin for online dictionaries. Study our articles about Latin grammar, declensions and Latin language, visit our short Latin phrasebook.
- "Gens" means "clan" (plural "gentes").
- "Legio" means "legion" (plural "legiones") (as in "Roman Legion"; soldiers).
- "Civis" means "citizen" (plural "cives")
- "Lex" means "law" (plural "leges")
- "Edictum" means "edict" (plural "edicta")
The names of magistracies are usually in Latin. Sometimes the singular form seems familiar but the plural is not what would be expected in English. To learn more about Latin plurals, read this article.
You could use these forms when writing to the office holders.
Nominative singular | Dative singular | Nominative plural | Dative plural |
---|---|---|---|
Consul | Consuli | Consules | Consulibus |
Censor | Censori | Censores | Censoribus |
Quaestor | Quaestori | Quaestores | Quaestoribus |
Praetor | Praetori | Praetores | Praetoribus |
Example: Marcus Tullius Cicero would start a letter to the censores thus: M. Tullius Cicero censoribus S.P.D.
Computer Terms
English | Latin |
---|---|
website | situs interretialis |
computer | computator |
epistula electronica | |
sound file | scapus sonorus |
list | index |
download | onerare |