fortis vs strenuus
Latin word comparison
Listen to fortis
Listen to strenuus
| fortis | strenuus |
|---|---|
FOR-tis adjective | STREH-noo-oos adjective |
| strong; brave; courageous | energetic, vigorous, brave |
How they differ
Strenuus overlaps with fortis in courage, but it more strongly suggests active effort, vigor, and energetic determination. Fortis can describe steady courage or moral strength even without physical energy, while strenuus feels more like hard-driving, forceful valor.
When to use each
When to use fortis: Use fortis when you want the broad, general idea of being strong, brave, or courageous.
When to use strenuus: Use strenuus when you want to emphasize energetic, vigorous effort in the face of difficulty.
Side-by-side examples
- Vir fortis pericula non timet.
(A brave man does not fear dangers.) - Miles strenuus in proelio multum laboravit.
(The vigorous soldier worked hard in battle.)
Register & nuance: Strenuus is a normal literary word and often sounds a bit more active and forceful than fortis.