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    Learn Latin with Rosetta Stone

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    Latin is the foundation of many modern languages, from Spanish and French to Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian. It’s also the language of history, science, law, and the arts. Learning Latin gives you direct access to classical literature, ancient culture, and the roots of thousands of modern words.

    Whether you’re studying for academics, to deepen your understanding of history, or to strengthen your knowledge of modern languages, Latin opens doors to a richer perspective of the world.

    Why learn Latin?

    Latin was spoken throughout the Roman Empire, and while it is no longer a “living” spoken language, its influence continues everywhere: in modern languages, medicine, science, religion, and law.

    Whether you want to read Virgil in the original, decode Latin inscriptions on monuments, or improve your English vocabulary, Latin sharpens the mind and enriches your learning.

    Top reasons to learn Latin

    • Build a strong foundation: More than half of English words come from Latin roots.
    • Understand modern languages: Learning Latin makes Romance languages easier to pick up.
    • Explore history firsthand: Read ancient texts, inscriptions, and manuscripts in their original form.
    • Boost academics: Latin helps with vocabulary for law, medicine, theology, and science.
    • Train your mind: Latin develops problem-solving, memory, and logical thinking skills.

    Latin language basics

    Where was Latin spoken?

    Latin was the language of Ancient Rome and its empire, spreading across Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East. Over time, Latin evolved into the Romance languages: Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian. “Ecclesiastical Latin” is still used in the Catholic Church today.

    How long does it take to learn Latin?

    It depends on your goals. Reading basic Latin can come quickly with consistent practice, while mastering grammar and translation takes longer. Short, daily study sessions (10–15 minutes) build steady progress — Rosetta Stone can get you started early and often.

    Tourists in Rome listen to a tour guide about Roman history.

    Latin proficiency: from beginner to advanced

    Beginner

    • Learn common Latin phrases: salve (hello), vale (goodbye)

    • Recognize simple noun cases and verb forms

    • Read short, simple sentences

    Intermediate

    • Translate adapted passages from classical authors

    • Understand key grammar: all six cases, present and past tenses

    • Write short sentences and basic descriptions

    Advanced

    • Read unadapted Latin literature — Cicero, Virgil, Ovid

    • Master complex verb forms and subordinate clauses

    • Translate poetry and prose with confidence

    Core Latin skills

    Pronunciation tips

    Latin pronunciation depends on whether you use Classical Latin (ancient Rome) or Ecclesiastical Latin (church tradition). A few basics:

    • V is pronounced like w in Classical Latin (via → “wia”), but like v in Ecclesiastical Latin.
    • C is always hard in Classical Latin (caelum → “kai-loom”), but soft before e and i in Ecclesiastical Latin (caelum → “chay-loom”).
    • Stress usually falls on the second-to-last syllable if it’s long; otherwise, on the third-to-last. For example, amīcus (friend) — stress on the second-to-last syllable: a-MI-cus.

    Vocabulary and origins

    Many Latin words live on in English and Romance languages. Examples:

    • aqua → water (aquatic, aquarium)
    • scribere → to write (scribe, describe)
    • magnus → great (magnify, magnitude)
    A visitor to a museum inspects a Latin transcription on a stone tablet.

    Useful phrases

    • Salve — Hello
    • Vale — Goodbye
    • Quid agis? — How are you?
    • Gratias tibi ago — Thank you

    Latin grammar at a glance

    Nouns and cases

    Latin nouns change form depending on their function in the sentence (case). For example:

    • puella (girl) → subject
    • puellam → direct object

    Verbs

    Latin verbs are highly inflected, changing endings for person, number, tense, and mood. Example with amare (to love):

    • amo — I love
    • amas — you love
    • amavit — he/she loved
    • amabimus — we will love

    Regional variations

    While Latin itself is no longer evolving, two main pronunciation traditions exist:

    • Classical Latin: Reconstructed pronunciation of Ancient Rome
    • Ecclesiastical Latin: Pronunciation used in the Catholic Church, closer to modern Italian

    Rosetta Stone primarily teaches Classical Latin for consistency but introduces both so learners can recognize them.

    Best ways to learn Latin

    • Online: Study anytime with Rosetta Stone on desktop or mobile. Sign up now!
    • Classroom learning: Structured, academic-style instruction for grammar-heavy study.
    • Private tutoring: 1-on-1 help to master translation skills. Browse Latin tutors on Wyzant, the nation’s largest network for tutors.
    • Reading practice: Start with adapted Latin stories before tackling Cicero or Virgil.
    • Immersion: Visit museums, monuments, and archives where Latin inscriptions and manuscripts are preserved.

    Media and tools to support learning

    • Books: Begin with Lingua Latina per se Illustrata or adapted Latin readers.
    • Music & podcasts: Listen to Latin recitations or spoken-Latin podcasts.
    • TV & films: Watch historical documentaries with Latin phrases or subtitles.

    Learn Latin with Rosetta Stone

    Rosetta Stone’s program makes Latin approachable and rewarding:

    Real-world practice

    Listen, repeat, and build confidence in reading and speaking.

    Clear grammar support

    Learn cases, declensions, and verb conjugations step by step.

    Smart review

    Spaced repetition reinforces vocabulary and forms.

    Cultural insights

    Explore Roman life, history, and influence alongside the language.

    A group of friends deciphers the Latin text on marble and stone pillars.

    Take the first step

    Rosetta Stone offers a free first lesson so you can start right away. Whether you’re learning Latin for school, personal enrichment, or to connect with history, Rosetta Stone will guide you every step of the way.

    Get started

    What’s included with your subscription

    Achieve fluency faster with Rosetta Stone’s expert-designed Dynamic Immersion courses.

    Perfect your accent with TruAccent speech recognition technology and sound like a native speaker.

    Access to Rosetta Stone on web or mobile—learn anytime, anywhere!

    What our customers are saying

    Customer photo for review of Rosetta Stone.

    I absolutely love the approach that Rosetta Stone utilizes. It feels like a natural and fun way to learn a new language. I also appreciate that I’m able to squeeze lessons in when I only have 10 minutes… and it’s a more productive and enjoyable activity than getting sucked into online scrolling just to distract myself. Why not learn a new language instead?

    - Turner
    Customer photo for review of Rosetta Stone.

    I have been using Rosetta Stone for over 30 years. By far, this is the best application for language learning. There are no language crutches, only immersion. You learn in a natural way and move forward quickly. Apps with games are fun, but you learn more slowly, and you are always “translating,” not immersing. Rosetta Stone makes language learning interesting and efficient.

    - Graham