latín
/lah-TEEN/
Latin
The word 'latín' refers to the ancient language of Rome, often associated with classical scrolls and laurel wreaths.
📝 In Action
El español, el francés y el italiano vienen del latín.
A2Spanish, French, and Italian come from Latin.
Muchos nombres científicos de plantas están en latín.
B1Many scientific names for plants are in Latin.
Tengo un examen de latín mañana.
A2I have a Latin exam tomorrow.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
Like almost all names of languages in Spanish, this word is masculine and uses 'el'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Missing the Accent
Mistake: "latin"
Correction: latín
⭐ Usage Tips
Language vs. Heritage
Use 'latín' for the language itself. If you want to describe people or cultures from Latin America, use 'latino' or 'latina'.
In a figurative sense, 'latín' can mean shrewdness or being sharp, much like the cleverness of a fox.
latín(noun)
shrewdness
?figurative use meaning 'to be sharp'
cunning
?being very clever or hard to trick
📝 In Action
Ten cuidado con ese vendedor, que sabe mucho latín.
C1Be careful with that salesman; he's very sharp/shrewd.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Meaning
In the past, people who knew Latin were seen as highly educated and very smart. This led to the phrase 'knowing a lot of Latin' meaning someone is very clever or even a bit sneaky.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: latín
Question 1 of 2
Which of these is the correct way to say 'I am studying Latin'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'latín' always have an accent?
Yes, when you are writing the noun meaning the language. The stress is on the last syllable, and because it ends in 'n', Spanish rules require a written accent.
What is the difference between 'latín' and 'latino'?
'Latín' is the name of the language. 'Latino' is an adjective used to describe things or people related to Latin or Latin America (e.g., 'música latina').