Language/Latin/Vocabulary/Directions-and-Locations
Introduction
Salvete! Welcome to the Latin lesson on directions and locations. In this lesson, you will learn expressions in Latin to help you navigate your way around. Whether you're traveling to Rome or just exploring your own neighborhood, these vocabulary words and phrases will come in handy.
Don't miss the chance to check out these pages as you wrap up this lesson: Family Members & Latin Quotes.
Asking for Directions
When you're lost or not sure where to go, it's important to know how to ask for directions. Here are some expressions to use:
Where is...?
- Ubi est...? (ooh-bee est) - Where is...?
- Ubi sunt...? (ooh-bee soont) - Where are...?
Can you tell me...?
- Potesne mihi dicere...? (po-tehs-neh mee-hee dee-keh-reh) - Can you tell me...?
- Scisne...? (skeess-neh) - Do you know...? (addressing one person)
- Scitisne...? (skeet-ees-neh) - Do you know...? (addressing multiple people)
Excuse me, where is...?
- Excuse me, where is...? (singular) - Mihi ignosce, ubi est...? (mee-hee ig-nohs-keh, ooh-bee est)
- Excuse me, where are...? (plural) - Mihi ignosce, ubi sunt...? (mee-hee ig-nohs-keh, ooh-bee soont)
Giving Directions
Whether you're a local or a tourist, giving directions can be challenging. Here are some expressions to help you give directions:
It's over there.
- Est illuc. (est eel-luke) - It's over there.
Go straight.
- Vade recte. (vah-deh rehk-teh) - Go straight.
Turn left/right.
- Flexe sinistrum/dextrum. (fleh-keh sih-nis-trum/deks-trum) - Turn left/right.
It's on the corner.
- Est in angulo. (est een ahn-goo-loh) - It's on the corner.
It's next to the... .
- Est iuxta... . (est yook-stah) - It's next to the... .
- Est prope... . (est proh-peh) - It's near the... .
Vocabulary
Now that you know some phrases for asking and giving directions, let's take a look at some important vocabulary words related to directions and locations.
Landmarks and Public Places
| Latin | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| villa | VEEL-lah | villa |
| insula | IN-suh-lah | apartment building |
| amphitheatrum | ahm-fee-THEH-ah-troom | amphitheater |
| theatrum | THEH-ah-troom | theater |
| circus | KEER-koos | circus |
| forum | FOR-oom | forum |
| bibliotheca | bee-blee-OH-teh-kah | library |
Directions
| Latin | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| a sinistra | ah sih-NIS-trah | to the left |
| a dextra | ah DEKS-trah | to the right |
| recto | REHK-toh | straight ahead |
| in angulo | in AHN-goo-loh | on the corner |
| iuxta | YOOK-stah | next to |
| prope | PROH-peh | near |
Practice Exercises
Now that you have learned some vocabulary words and expressions, it's time to put them into practice. Here are some exercises to help you practice your new skills:
1. Imagine you are lost in a city and you need to ask someone for directions to a museum. Write out the conversation in Latin.
2. Write out directions to your favorite restaurant in Latin.
Conclusion
In this lesson, you learned expressions in Latin to help you ask for and give directions. You also learned some important vocabulary words related to directions and locations, such as landmarks and public places, and directions. With your new skills, you will be able to navigate your way around with ease. Keep practicing, and before you know it, you'll be speaking Latin like a pro!
Upon wrapping up this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Introducing Yourself & Numbers 1 100.
Videos
Directions in Latin | Easy Latin Lesson #42 - YouTube