latin
latin — adjective
1. written or composed in the Latin language, the language used in ancient Rome and
written or composed in the Latin language, the language used in ancient Rome and for centuries afterwards in European education and religion
The museum exhibit includes several Latin scrolls from the first century.
Latin + scroll / manuscript / inscription
Tariq spent the summer translating a Latin poem by the Roman writer Virgil.
translate a Latin + text / poem
Latin inscriptions carved in stone still line the streets of ancient Roman cities.
Hao borrowed a Latin grammar book from his teacher before the exam.
用法筆記
This sense is used attributively before nouns like manuscript, text, inscription, or prayer — it describes the form, not the origin.
常見錯誤
2. connected with the nations and traditions where people's everyday speech comes f
connected with the nations and traditions where people's everyday speech comes from ancient Roman language roots, for example Spanish, French, Italian, or Portuguese
Felipe enjoys the Latin music that his grandparents brought from Cuba.
Latin music / dance / food / culture
The school offers classes in French, Spanish, and other Latin languages.
Latin + language / country / culture
Zola learned about Latin American history during her trip to Brazil.
The festival featured Latin dance performances from Cuba, Brazil, and Argentina.
- Romance
used specifically for languages (Romance languages), not for people or culture
- Latin American
narrower — refers only to the Americas, not to European Latin cultures
- Germanic
refers to the cultural or linguistic group of northern European peoples, e.g. German, Dutch, Scandinavian
常見錯誤
latin — noun
1. the language spoken and written by the ancient Romans, which continued to be use
the language spoken and written by the ancient Romans, which continued to be used in Europe for centuries in education, scholarship, law, medicine, and the Christian church
Mayumi studied Latin at university and can now read Julius Caesar's writings in the original.
study / learn / teach / read Latin
Many legal terms in English come directly from Latin, such as 'habeas corpus'.
from Latin / derived from Latin
The choir performed a medieval song with lyrics written entirely in Latin.
Bao's grandfather taught himself Latin so he could read old scientific texts.
用法筆記
As an uncountable noun, Latin does not take an article when used in a general sense ('She speaks Latin'). Use 'the' only when referring to a specific variety ('the Latin of the medieval church').
常見錯誤
2. a person from a country where a language that developed from Latin is spoken, e.
a person from a country where a language that developed from Latin is spoken, e.g. Spanish, French, Italian, or Portuguese
The neighbourhood has many shops run by Latins from Argentina and Peru.
Latins from [country / region]
Jessica works with several Latins who moved to London from Colombia and Spain.
In the 1500s, Spanish Latins began settling in parts of the Americas.
Asher met a group of Latins from Italy and France at the language exchange.
- Latino
more common in modern English; specifically refers to people from Latin America, not Europe
- Latina
feminine form of Latino
- Romance-speaker
technical; used in linguistics, not everyday speech
- Anglo-Saxon
refers to English-speaking peoples of Germanic origin, contrasting with Romance-language cultures
用法筆記
In modern everyday English, 'Latin' as a countable noun for a person is relatively formal. Speakers more commonly use 'Latino' or 'Latina' for people from Latin America, or simply name the nationality (e.g. 'Italians,' 'Spaniards').