Latin Endings in English
An English ending often matches a Latin ending.
How It Works
| English ending | Latin ending | Latin word | English word |
|---|---|---|---|
| -tion | -tio | natio | nation |
| -tion | -tio | actio | action |
| -ity | -itas | societas | society |
| -ity | -itas | qualitas | quality |
| -able | -abilis | admirabilis | admirable |
| -ment | -mentum | documentum | document |
| -ment | -mentum | monumentum | monument |
| -ous | -osus | famosus | famous |
| -or | -or | doctor | doctor |
English usually kept the Latin stem and changed only the end: natio gave nation, and libertas gave liberty.
The ending also gives the Latin gender and declension: nouns in -tio and -itas are feminine, and nouns in -mentum are neuter.
Doctor shows a case where the English word is the Latin word. In Latin it means teacher.
Examples (5)
- Natio Romana magna est.
The Roman nation is great.
Natio gives English nation.
- Libertas omnibus cara est.
Freedom is dear to everyone.
Libertas gives English liberty.
- Monumentum in foro est.
There is a monument in the forum.
Monumentum gives English monument.
- Nomen Domini admirabile est.
The name of the Lord is wonderful.
Admirabile gives English admirable.
- Doctor pueros docet.
The teacher teaches the boys.
Doctor means teacher in Latin.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Suffixes come after the prefixes.
Related Patterns
- Word-Building Endings: -tor, -tio, -tas, -ulusEndings That Build New Words
How Latin builds nouns from verbs and adjectives.
Level 4 - Latin Words in English
Whole Latin words used in English.
Foundations - Roots You Already Use
The roots under many English words.
Level 4 - Latin Plurals in English
English words that keep a Latin plural.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
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