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Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Kid Friendly Guide: Latin and Greek Root Words

Here are some of the most common Latin and Greek root words:
Keep in mind that there are many more Latin and Greek root words than those listed below. Understanding these roots can help you decipher the meaning of unfamiliar words and improve your vocabulary.

Latin Root Words:
  • Amor - Love
  • Audire - Hear
  • Bene - Good
  • Cognoscere - Know
  • Dicere - Say
  • Facere - Make
  • Homo - Human
  • Jus - Law
  • Magna - Great
  • Ver - Truth
Greek Root Words:
  • Anthropos - Human
  • Bios - Life
  • Chronos - Time
  • Demos - People
  • Ethos - Character
  • Logos - Word, Study
  • Pathos - Suffering, Feeling
  • Philos - Love, Friend
  • Techne - Art, Skill
  • Theos - God
  1. Amor: The love between the two characters was so strong that they were willing to do anything for each other.
  2. Audire: The ability to audire well is an important skill in effective communication.
  3. Bene: He always tried to do bene by others, even when it meant sacrificing his own needs.
  4. Cognoscere: Through his research, he was able to cognoscere the intricacies of the problem and find a solution.
  5. Dicere: She had a way with words and was always able to dicere exactly what she meant.
  6. Facere: The artist was able to facere a beautiful painting that captured the essence of the landscape.
  7. Homo: As homo sapiens, humans have a unique ability to think, reason, and create.
  8. Jus: It is important to uphold the jus and protect the rights of all individuals.
  9. Magna: The impact of his work was magna and had a lasting effect on society.
  10. Ver: The truth can be difficult to accept, but it is always better than living a lie.
  11. Anthropos: The study of anthropology seeks to understand the cultural, social, and biological aspects of being human.
  12. Bios: The biosphere is the interconnected system of all living things on Earth.
  13. Chronos: The passage of time, or chronos, can bring about both positive and negative changes in our lives.
  14. Demos: The will of the demos is an important factor in shaping the policies of a democratic government.
  15. Ethos: A strong ethos can help a company establish trust and credibility with its customers.
  16. Logos: The study of logos involves examining the use of language and words in communication and persuasion.
  17. Pathos: The use of pathos in a speech or argument can evoke strong emotions and sway the opinions of the audience.
  18. Philos: A philos is someone who you can rely on and who supports you through thick and thin.
  19. Techne: The development of techne in fields such as medicine and engineering has led to significant advancements in society.
  20. Theos: The belief in a higher power or theos is a fundamental aspect of many religions and spiritual practices.
Latin Root Words:
  • Mortis - Death
  • Nomen - Name
  • Parare - Prepare
  • Portare - Carry
  • Scribere - Write
  • Tempus - Time
  • Terra - Earth
  • Venire - Come
  • Videre - See
  • Vocare - Call
Here are some examples of how to use these Latin root words in a sentence:

  • Mortis: The fear of death, or mortis, is a common theme in literature and art.
  • Nomen: A person's name, or nomen, is an important part of their identity.
  • Parare: It is important to parare for any emergency situation.
  • Portare: The messenger had to portare the important message across the kingdom.
  • Scribere: The author was able to scribere a best-selling novel in just a few months.
  • Tempus: Time, or tempus, waits for no one.
  • Terra: The destruction of the environment is a serious threat to the health of the terra.
  • Venire: The crowd began to cheer as the king venire out onto the balcony.
  • Videre: The hiker was able to videre the beautiful sunset over the mountains.
  • Vocare: The mother had to vocare her children to come inside for dinner.

Greek Root Words:

  • Aesthetikos - Aesthetic
  • Biblos - Book
  • Dendron - Tree
  • Eidos - Appearance, Form
  • Genos - Birth, Race
  • Helios - Sun
  • Metron - Measure
  • Oikos - House
  • Syn - Together
  • Zoion - Animal
  •  Anthropos - Human
  • Bios - Life
  • Chronos - Time
  • Demos - People
  • Ethos - Character
  • Logos - Word, Study
  • Pathos - Suffering, Feeling
  • Philos - Love, Friend
  • Techne - Art, Skill
  • Theos - God
Here are some examples of how to use these Greek root words in a sentence:

Aesthetikos: The art exhibit showcased a variety of aesthetikos styles and mediums.

Biblos: The biblos is a sacred text that is revered by many religions.

Dendron: The dendron was so tall that it reached the clouds.

Eidos: The eidos of the sculpture was strikingly lifelike.

Genos: The genos of a person does not determine their worth as an individual.

Helios: The heat from the helios was almost unbearable on a hot summer day.

Metron: The scientist used a precise metron to measure the chemical reaction.

Oikos: The oikos was beautifully decorated with elegant furniture and artwork.

Syn: The members of the team worked syn to complete the project on time.

Zoion: The zoion kingdom is filled with a diverse range of species and creatures.

Anthropos: The study of anthropology seeks to understand the origins and development of the human species.

Bios: The biosphere is the region of the earth where life can exist and thrive.

Chronos: The concept of time, or chronos, has fascinated philosophers for centuries.

Demos: The democracy of Athens was one of the first systems of government in which the demos had a say in how they were governed.

Ethos: The ethos of a company can greatly influence the success of the business.

Logos: The logos of a philosophical argument is the rational and logical explanation behind it.

Pathos: The pathos of a tragic story can evoke strong emotions in the reader or listener.

Philos: A true friend is someone who has philos for you and supports you in both good times and bad.

Techne: The art of pottery requires a great deal of techne and skill to create beautiful and functional pieces.

Theos: The belief in a supreme being, or theos, has been a common thread in many cultures and religions throughout history.Anthropos: The great philosopher Aristotle once said, "Man is by nature a social animal." He recognized that humans have an innate need to connect with others and form communities.

Bios: The physician Hippocrates believed that a healthy body required a balanced life, including a healthy diet, exercise, and rest. He believed that the key to living a long and healthy life was to maintain balance in all aspects of one's bios.

Chronos: The ancient Greeks were fascinated by the passage of time and its effect on human life. The playwright Sophocles wrote, "Time, which sees all things, has found you out."

Demos: The concept of democracy, which originated in ancient Greece, is based on the idea of rule by the people. The word "demos" refers to the people or the community as a whole.

Ethos: The philosopher Socrates believed that a person's character, or ethos, was more important than their material possessions or status in society. He believed that a person who lived with integrity and honesty was truly wealthy.

Logos: The ancient Greeks were known for their love of knowledge and study, and the word "logos" refers to both the word and the study of a subject. The philosopher Heraclitus said, "Everything flows, nothing stands still, and everything changes."


Pathos: The ancient Greek tragedies often explored the theme of suffering and the human experience of pain and loss. The playwright Euripides wrote, "Nothing has more strength than dire necessity, and nothing is more merciless than suffering."

Philos: The concept of friendship was highly valued in ancient Greece, and the word "philos" refers to both love and friendship. The philosopher Plato wrote, "At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet."

Techne: The ancient Greeks were renowned for their artistic and technological skills. The word "techne" refers to both art and skill, and the philosopher Aristotle believed that skillful practice was necessary to achieve excellence in any field.

Theos: The ancient Greeks believed in a pantheon of gods and goddesses who ruled over the world. The word "theos" refers to God, and the poet Homer wrote, "Sing, goddess, the anger of Peleus' son Achilles."

Bios - Life 
Chronos - Time 
Demos - People 
Ethos - Character 
Logos - Word, Study 
Pathos - Suffering, Feeling 
Philos - Love, Friend 
Techne - Art, Skill 
Theos - God

Here are some additional examples of how to use these Greek root words in a Greek-style context:

Bios: The philosopher Epicurus believed that the key to a happy life was to live in moderation, enjoying life's simple pleasures and avoiding excess. He believed that a good life was one that was lived in balance with one's bios.

Chronos: The historian Herodotus wrote about the importance of understanding the past in order to understand the present. He believed that the passage of time, or chronos, was essential to understanding the course of human events.

Demos: The orator Demosthenes was known for his powerful speeches and his ability to inspire the people. He believed that a strong and united demos was essential to the success of any society.

Ethos: The philosopher Aristotle believed that a person's ethos was reflected in their habits and actions. He believed that a person who lived with integrity and honor was more likely to achieve success and happiness in life.

Logos: The philosopher Plato believed that the study of philosophy and the pursuit of wisdom were essential to living a meaningful life. He believed that the logos, or the study of truth, was the key to understanding the world around us.

Pathos: The playwright Aeschylus wrote about the human experience of suffering and the role of fate in shaping our lives. He believed that pathos, or the experience of pain and loss, was an essential part of the human condition.

Philos: The poet Sappho wrote about the joy of friendship and the importance of human connection. She believed that philos, or love and friendship, were essential to living a full and happy life.

Techne: The sculptor Phidias was known for his skill in creating beautiful works of art. He believed that techne, or the mastery of a particular skill, was essential to achieving excellence in any field.

Theos: The philosopher Plotinus believed in the existence of a divine intelligence, or theos, that governed the universe. He believed that the study of philosophy and the pursuit of wisdom were essential to understanding the nature of the divine.

Bios and Techne: The physician Galen believed that the study of medicine was essential to maintaining a healthy bios. He believed that the mastery of medical techne was essential to the practice of medicine and the care of the human body.

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