Language/Latin/Vocabulary/Animals

Latin Vocabulary - Animals

Hi Latin learners! 😊
In this lesson, we are going to learn about animals in Latin! Ready to dive in? Let's go!
Don't forget that to improve your Latin Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

Basic Vocabulary

Let's start with some basic animal names in Latin. Remember to pay attention to the gender of the noun (masculine, feminine, and neuter). Here are some examples:

Latin	Pronunciation	English
Canis	/'ka.nis/	Dog
Felis	/'fe.lis/	Cat
Equus	/'e.kwus/	Horse
Bovis	/'bo.wis/	Cow
Ovis	/'o.wis/	Sheep

In addition to these domestic animals, Latin has a rich vocabulary to name wild animals:

Latin	Pronunciation	English
Leo	/'le.o/	Lion
Ursus	/'ur.sus/	Bear
Lupus	/'lu.pus/	Wolf
Canis lupus	/'ka.nis 'lu.pus/	Gray Wolf
Panthera	/pan'the.ra/	Panther
Tigris	/'ti.gris/	Tiger

Don't forget that the animal names can also vary depending on their species, anatomy, and behavior. Now, let's take a look at some animal-related expressions and fun facts!

Animal Facts & Expressions

"Lupus in Fabula"

Have you heard of "lupus in fabula"? It literally means "wolf in the story" and it refers to the situation where somebody talks about you, and suddenly you appear. Another meaning of this expression is "speak of the devil." Let's see an example dialogue:

• Person 1: Audivi te lupum in fabula vidisse, Caesar. (I heard that you saw a wolf in the story, Caesar.)
• Person 2: Et ecce, lupus ipsum! (And here is the wolf himself!)

"Equus asinus"

Do you know what "equus asinus" means? It means "donkey" or "ass." Interestingly, the donkey was known to the ancient Romans as a hardworking and humble animal, and Pliny the Elder even recommended its milk as a cure for nausea and insomnia.

"Canis Maior" and "Canis Minor"

The constellations Canis Maior and Canis Minor are two of the most recognizable in the night sky. Canis Maior, or "the greater dog," is represented by the star Sirius, which is the brightest star after the sun. Meanwhile, Canis Minor, or "the lesser dog," is represented by the star Procyon. Both constellations are visible from the northern hemisphere throughout the year.

Animal-related Expressions

Here are some common animal-related expressions in Latin that you might find useful:

• "Equi donati dentes non inspiciuntur" ("Don't look a gift horse in the mouth").
• "Simia simia est, etiamsi aurea gestet insignia" ("A monkey is a monkey, even if it wears a golden insignia").
• "Lupus pilum mutat, non mores" ("The wolf changes his fur, not his nature").

Can you use these expressions in context? Try to create your own dialogue!

Practice

Now, let's practice the vocabulary and expressions we learned in some context. Imagine you're on a safari with your friend and you want to describe the animals you see. Here's an example dialogue to get you started:

• Person 1: Ecce! Leo! (Look! A lion!)
• Person 2: Ita vero, pulcherrimus est. (Indeed, it's very beautiful.)
• Person 1: Et ecce! Canis Lupus! (And here! A gray wolf!)
• Person 2: Ne timeas, non est periculosus. (Don't be afraid, it's not dangerous.)
• Person 1: Et ecce! Tigris! (And here! A tiger!)
• Person 2: Magnificus, sed caute agamus. (Magnificent, let's be cautious though.)

Quiz: Match the Latin Animal Names

Instructions

Match the Latin animal names with their English equivalents.

Latin	English
Canis	?
Felis	?
Equus	?
Bovis	?
Ovis	?
Leo	?
Ursus	?
Lupus	?
Panthera	?
Tigris	?

Quiz: Fill in the Blanks with Latin Animal Names

Instructions

Fill in the blanks with the correct Latin animal names.

1. ________ (the wolf) is known for its keen instincts.
2. The ________ (the lion) is often referred to as the king of the jungle.
3. A ________ (the horse) can run at incredible speeds.
4. ________ (the sheep) are commonly raised for wool.
5. In the night sky, the constellation ________ (the greater dog) is visible.

Solutions

Match the Latin Animal Names

1. Canis - Dog
2. Felis - Cat
3. Equus - Horse
4. Bovis - Cow
5. Ovis - Sheep
6. Leo - Lion
7. Ursus - Bear
8. Lupus - Wolf
9. Panthera - Panther
10. Tigris - Tiger

Fill in the Blanks with Latin Animal Names

1. Lupus - Wolf
2. Leo - Lion
3. Equus - Horse
4. Ovis - Sheep
5. Canis Maior - Greater Dog

Don't forget to practice with a friend, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask your Latin native speakers!

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➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

Other Lessons

• People in Latin
• Adverbs in Latin
• Parts of the Body
• Food
• Useful phrases
• Clothes
• How to say Good Bye?
• Fruits
• Animal
• Days Of The Week

Sources

• Free Latin Flashcards about Latin Animals
• Latin/Animals Lesson 1 - Wikiversity
• Latin Animal Roots - Vocabulary List | Vocabulary.com