Language/Latin/Vocabulary/Months-of-the-Year

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Months of the Year in Latin: Spelling, Pronunciation and Origin
Drapeau-Empire-Romain.jpg
The Roman Calendar

Hello Latin Language learners 😊!

In today's lesson, we will learn everything about the Latin months of the year.

For each month of the year, you will learn:

  1. How to write the month in Latin
  2. How to pronounce it (listen to the audio recording)
  3. What does it mean? Where does it come from? (etymology). The Latin names are all taken from the Roman calendar (whereas our current calendar is "the Gregorian Calendar"). Most names refer to illustrious names from Roman mythology and politics. Thanks to the explanations below, you will be able to shine in society every first of the month!

Happy learning! 😀

When you've grasped the concepts in this module, you may want to check out these connected subjects: Family Members Vocabulary in Latin, Days of the Week, Education & Numbers.

The 12 Months of the Year in Latin: Spelling, Pronunciation & Origin[edit | edit source]

Number* Months** in Latin s in English Latin Pronunciation Meaning & Origin
I Mensis Martius March


The month of the god Mars, the famous god of warriors, youth and violence.
II Mensis Aprilis April


We do not know precisely the etymology of the name April. Certainly, we know the Latin root aprilis, which, once again, was used to form the English April, but its meaning remains obscure.
III Mensis Maius May


The month of Maia, Roman goddess of fertility and spring.
IV Mensis Iunius June


The most widespread etymology links the name of this month to that of Lucius Junius Brutus, the legendary founder of the Roman Republic.
V Mensis Iulius July


The month of Emperor Julius Caesar.
VI Mensis Augustus August


The month of the first Roman emperor, Augustus.
VII Mensis September September


Seventh Month
VIII Mensis October October


Eighth Month
IX Mensis November November


Ninth Month
X Mensis December December


Tenth Month
XI Mensis Ianuarius January


The month of the god Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and endings, choices, passage, and doors.
XII Mensis Februarius February


The month of purification. The Latin Februarius (still at the origin of the English February) means "month of purification", itself derived from februum, "means of purifying".

Notes[edit | edit source]

* In the first Roman calendar, March was the first month of the year

** In Latin, the word "month" is written mensis in the singular and menses in the plural.

Videos[edit | edit source]

Months of the Year in Latin & Ordinal Numbers[edit | edit source]

The History of the Months of the Year[edit | edit source]

Related Latin Lessons[edit source]

Count to 10 in All Languages[edit source]

Sources[edit | edit source]

Other Lessons[edit | edit source]

Contributors

Vincent, Maintenance script and PabloWang


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