Language/Latin/Vocabulary/Fruits

Latin Vocabulary - Fruits

Hi Latin learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about the fruit vocabulary in Latin. Fruits are important for our daily diets and can be enjoyed in many different ways. Knowing the Latin names of fruits can give you a better understanding of the language and its culture. Let's get started!

With the completion of this lesson, consider investigating these related pages: Education & Basic Phrases in Latin.

Fruit in Latin

Fruit is "fructus" in Latin. Fruits can be categorized based on the type of fruit or the way they are produced. Here are the Latin names of some common fruits:

Latin	Pronunciation	English
malum	/'ma.lum/	apple
prunus	/'pru.nus/	plum
pirus	/'pi.rus/	pear
uvae	/'u.we/	grapes
citrullus	/kir'tul.lus/	watermelon
aurantium	/au'ran.tium/	orange
cerasum	/ker'a.sum/	cherries
carica	/'ka.ri.ka/	papaya
ananās	/'a.na.na:s/	pineapple
pomum	/'po.mum/	apple (generic term)
ficus	/'fi.kus/	fig
mora	/'mo.ra/	blackberry
fragum	/'fra.gum/	strawberry
mango	/'man.go/	mango
persica	/'per.si.ka/	peach
cocos	/'ko.kos/	coconut
avocado	/a.vo'ka.do/	avocado
guava	/'gwa.va/	guava
ananas	/a'nan.as/	pineapple (alternative term)
papaver	/pa'pa.wer/	papaya (alternative term)

Practice phrases

Here are ten practice phrases in Latin and English using the vocabulary above:

1. Malum est fructus roboris et salutis. - An apple is a fruit of strength and health.
2. Prunus dulcis saporis est. - The plum has a sweet taste.
3. Pirum madidum esse non debet. - A pear should not be wet.
4. Uvae in vino bonae sunt. - Grapes are good in wine.
5. Citrullus magna est. - The watermelon is large.
6. Aurantium est fructus aureus. - An orange is a golden fruit.
7. Cerasa rubra et suavia sunt. - Cherries are red and sweet.
8. Carica est fructus magnus et sapidus. - Papaya is a large and tasty fruit.
9. Ananās est fructus exotica. - Pineapple is an exotic fruit.
10. Fragum cum lacte dulce est. - Strawberry with milk is sweet.

I hope these phrases help you practice your Latin vocabulary!

Interesting Facts

• The word "malum" in Latin not only means "apple," but also means "evil." This is where we get the phrase "the apple of my eye" which means something precious and valuable to someone.
• The Latin word for "orange," "aurantium," comes from the Arabic word "naranj."

Dialogue

Here is an example of a dialogue so you can see the words in context:

• Person 1: Malum placet tibi? (Do you like apples?)
• Person 2: Immo prunus meliores sunt. (Actually, I prefer plums.)

Latin Idioms Involving Fruits

In Latin, fruits are often used in idiomatic expressions. Here are some examples:

Latin Idiom	Literal Translation	Idiomatic Meaning
Ab ovo usque ad mala	From the egg until the apple	Refers to something being complete or full
Currere ad Malum	Running to the apple tree	Refers to someone running towards their own destruction.

Cultural Significance

In ancient Rome, fruits were held in high esteem as a symbol of wealth and luxury. Some fruits, such as figs and grapes, were used to make wine which was enjoyed by the upper class. The Romans also believed that fruits could have medicinal properties, and they would use them to treat common ailments such as indigestion and headaches.

To improve your Latin Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

Quiz: Latin Names of Fruits

Instructions

Match the English names of fruits with their Latin counterparts.

1. Apple
2. Plum
3. Pear
4. Grapes
5. Watermelon
6. Orange
7. Cherries
8. Papaya
9. Pineapple
10. Strawberry

Quiz: Translate Phrases to English

Instructions

Translate the following Latin phrases to English.

1. Malum est fructus roboris et salutis.
2. Citrullus magna est.
3. Aurantium est fructus aureus.
4. Fragum cum lacte dulce est.

Solutions

Latin Names of Fruits

1. Apple - Malum / Pomum
2. Plum - Prunus
3. Pear - Pirus
4. Grapes - Uvae
5. Watermelon - Citrullus
6. Orange - Aurantium
7. Cherries - Cerasum
8. Papaya - Carica / Papaver
9. Pineapple - Ananās / Ananas
10. Strawberry - Fragum

Translate Phrases to English

1. An apple is a fruit of strength and health.
2. The watermelon is large.
3. An orange is a golden fruit.
4. Strawberry with milk is sweet.

Sources

• Latin words Category:Fruits and Vegetables Flashcards | Quizlet

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