Language/Latin/Vocabulary/Colors
Hello Latin learners, Colors are an essential aspect of our daily lives and play a vital role in shaping our emotions, perceptions, and experiences. In Latin, the language of the ancient Romans, colors have their own unique names that not only reflect their visual appearance but also hold cultural significance. This page will introduce you to the vocabulary of colors in Latin, complete with audio pronunciation. Whether you are a student of the language, an enthusiast of Roman culture, or simply looking to expand your vocabulary, learning the names of colors in Latin can be a fun and engaging experience. With the help of audio pronunciation, you can not only learn the correct spelling of each color but also master the pronunciation like a native speaker. So, get ready to dive into the world of colors in Latin and enhance your language skills in a fun and interactive way!
- It should be noted that there are many variations for colors in Latin.
- You will first find a limited list of colors and their pronunciation and at the end of the lesson a more comprehensive list.
How to Say "Color" in Latin[edit | edit source]
First, here is how to say "Colors" in Latin:
Colores [ko'lo'res]
Main Colors in Latin (text and audio)[edit | edit source]
The table below showcases the main colors in Latin, featuring both text and audio pronunciation.
Latin |
English |
Pronunciation (audio) |
---|---|---|
āter, ātra, ātrum | black (like a coal, not glossy); dark, gloomy | |
niger, nigra, nigrum | black (glossy); dark | |
albus, a, um | white (dead white, not shining) | |
candidus, a, um | white (shining, dazzling) | |
ruber, rubra, rubrum | red | |
rūfus, a, um | ruddy, red-haired | |
aurantius, a, um | orange | |
aureus, a, um | golden, gold | |
flāvus, a, um* | yellow, blond/e-haired | |
lūteus, a, um* | yellow, saffron-colored | |
viridis, e | green | |
caeruleus, a, um | blue | |
purpureus, a, um | purple | |
roseus, a, um | pink, rose | |
fuscus, a, um | brown | |
cānus, a, um | gray, gray-haired |
*Both "lūteus" and "flāvus" can be translated to mean "yellow" in English, but in Latin, they carry nuanced distinctions pertaining to different shades or implications of yellow.
- lūteus: This term typically refers to a saffron or deep yellow color. It's derived from "lūtum," which means "yellow dye" or "saffron."
- flāvus: This term generally refers to a yellow that might be likened to blonde or golden. In fact, "flāvus" is often used to describe blonde hair. The word has a broader use and might be associated with the colors of golden hair, wheat, or ripe grain.
So, while both terms indicate shades of yellow, the exact shade or context in which you'd use them can differ. If you're talking about blonde hair, for instance, "flāvus" would be more appropriate, but if you're referring to something with a saffron hue, "lūteus" might be the better choice.
Examples of Use[edit | edit source]
This section provides examples of how these colors are used in Latin sentences, helping to understand the context and usage better.
- āter, ātra, ātrum
- Vestis ātra - The garment is black (dark, gloomy).
- niger, nigra, nigrum
- Equus niger - The horse is glossy black.
- albus, a, um
- Nix alba - The snow is white (dead white, not shining).
- candidus, a, um
- Luna candida - The moon is shining white.
- ruber, rubra, rubrum
- Rosa rubra - The rose is red.
- rūfus, a, um
- Capillus rūfus - Red-haired.
- aurantius, a, um
- Caelum aurantium - The sky is orange at dawn.
- aureus, a, um
- Folium aureum - The leaf is golden.
- flāvus, a, um
- Coma flava - Blond hair.
- lūteus, a, um
- Tunica lutea - A saffron-colored tunic.
- viridis, e
- Herba viridis - The grass is green.
- caeruleus, a, um
- Mare caeruleum - The sea is blue.
- purpureus, a, um
- Vestis purpurea - A purple garment.
- roseus, a, um
- Caelum roseum - The sky is pink at sunset.
- fuscus, a, um
- Terra fusca - The brown earth.
- cānus, a, um
- Canis cānus - A gray dog.
Quiz[edit | edit source]
Test your knowledge of the Latin colors with this short quiz. Choose the correct Latin term for each color described.
- What is the Latin word for 'glossy black'?
- a) āter
- b) niger
- c) albus
- Which term means 'shining white'?
- a) candidus
- b) lūteus
- c) caeruleus
- How do you say 'green' in Latin?
- a) rūfus
- b) viridis
- c) roseus
- If something is 'saffron-colored', it is:
- a) flāvus
- b) aurantius
- c) lūteus
- What is the Latin word for 'purple'?
- a) purpureus
- b) fuscus
- c) aureus
Quiz Solutions[edit | edit source]
Here are the answers to the quiz on Latin colors:
1. What is the Latin word for 'glossy black'?
Answer: b) niger
2. Which term means 'shining white'?
Answer: a) candidus
3. How do you say 'green' in Latin?
Answer: b) viridis
4. If something is 'saffron-colored', it is:
Answer: c) lūteus
5. What is the Latin word for 'purple'?
Answer: a) purpureus
Main Colors in Latin (video)[edit | edit source]
Comprehensive List of Colors in Latin[edit | edit source]
The following table provides a comprehensive list of colors in Latin, including their correct spelling and translation in English.
Latin | English |
---|---|
âter, âtra, âtrum | dull black |
niger, nigra, nigrum | glossy black |
piceus, -a, -um | pitch black |
furvus, -a, -um | dark, black |
pullus, -a, -um | dark-colored, dark gray |
viridis, -is, -e | green (most common term) |
virêns, -ntis | green (some shade of) |
viridulus, -a, -um | green (some shade of) |
prasinus, -a, -um | bright grass green, leek green |
smaragdinus, -a, -um | emerald green |
herbâceus, -a, -um | grass green |
olîvâceus, -a, -um | olive green |
venetus, -a, -um | (deep) sea green |
glaucus, -a, -um | (light) sea green |
perviridis, -is, -e | very green |
chlôrînus, -a, -um | chartreuse |
vireô, -êre, -uî | to be green (of green foliage) |
viridêns, -ntis | green (of things growing) |
virêscô, -êre | to become green |
subviridis, -is, -e | greenish |
caeruleus, -a, -um | sky-blue (esp. of eyes) |
subcaeruleus | bluish |
cÿaneus, -a, -um | dark blue |
lîvidus, -a, -um | leaden blue |
venetus, -a, -um | azure blue |
caesius, -a, -um | bluish gray (pale blue, with a slight mixture of gray) |
violâceus, -a, -um | mauve; violet |
purpureus, -a, -um | purple (dull red with a slight dash of blue) |
rûfus, -a, -um | red (all shades) |
ruber, -bra, -brum | red (common term for any pure red) |
sanguineus, -a, -um | blood red |
rutilus, -a, -um | bright red |
cardinâlis, -is, -e | cardinal red |
rubidus, -a, -um | dark red |
cerasinus, -a, -um | cherry-red |
coccineus, -a, -um | crimson; deep red; vermilion |
phoenîceus, -a, -um | pure lively red |
russus, -a, -um | red, russet |
miniâtus, -a, -um | scarlet |
roseus, -a, -um | pink |
pûniceus, -a, -um | pink; pure lively red |
subroseus, -a, -um | pinkish |
subruber, -bra, -brum | reddish |
rubellus, -a, -um | reddish |
subrûfus, -a, -um | reddish |
rûfulus, -a, -um | reddish (of hair) |
rubicundus, -a, -um | reddish (of the skin; flushed) |
rôbîginôsus, -a, -um | rust-colored |
armeniacus, -a, -um | dull orange (apricot-color) |
fulvus, -a, -um | hazel (light to strong brown) |
cervînus, -a, -um | tawny (darker brown than fulvus) |
brunneus, -a, -um | brown (of Germanic origin) |
spâdîx, -îcis | chestnut; strong brown |
badius, -a, -um | chestnut (of horses only) |
fuscus, -a, -um | dark brown |
spâdîceus, -a, -um | bright brown |
gilvus, -a, -um (gilbus) | dun-colored, pale yellow |
carneus, -a, -um | flesh-colored |
aurantius, -a, -um | orange |
lûteus, -a, -um | orange; deep yellow (like egg yolk) |
vitellînus, -a, -um | deep yellow (like egg yolk [vitellus]) |
flammeus, -a, -um | flame-colored |
electricus, -a, -um | amber |
citreus, -a, -um | lemon yellow (purest yellow, without any brightness) |
aureus, -a, -um | golden (of hair) |
aureolus, -a, -um | golden |
flâvus, -a, -um | yellow (commonest term, a pale yellow) |
flâvidus, -a, -um | yellowish |
sufflâvus, -a, -um | yellowish (of hair, approaching blond) |
râvus, -a, -um | yellowish gray |
crêtâceus, -a, -um | dull white (like chalk [crêta]) |
albus, -a, -um | dead white |
candidus, -a, -um | shiny white |
niveus, -a, -um | snow white (the purest white) |
subalbus, -a, -um | whitish |
albulus, -a, -um | whitish |
subalbidus, -a, -um | whitish |
eburneus, -a, -um (& -nus) | cream-colored |
argenteus, -a, -um | silvery |
cânus, -a, -um | light gray (esp. hair) |
cânô capite esse | to be gray-haired |
cânêscô, -uî | to become gray |
câneô, cânêre, cânuî | to become light gray |
cinereus, -a, -um | ash-gray |
cânêscêns, -ntis | grayish |
Related Latin Lessons[edit source]
- How to Count to 10 in Latin
- How to Count to 100 in Latin
- Days of the Week in Latin
- Months of the Year in Latin
- Seasons in Latin
- How to Tell the Time in Latin
- Colors in Latin
- Body Parts in Latin
- Family in Latin
Count to 10 in All Languages[edit source]
- Summary
- Numeral Systems
- Count to 10 in French
- Count to 10 in Latin
- Count to 10 in Chinese
- Count to 10 in modern Greek
- Count to 10 in Russian
- Count to 10 in Swedish
- Count to 10 in Thai
Sources[edit | edit source]
- http://www.harbornet.com/folks/theedrich/Colores/Colores.htm
- https://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Latin/Colors
Other Latin Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Animal
- Words and Expressions Latin
- Feelings and Emotions
- Fruits
- Dinner Table
- Numbers
- Parts of the Body
- Days of the Week
- Asking Directions
- Camping