What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lingua
Example
The doctor examined my lingua and said it looked healthy. [lingua: noun]
Example
Italian is her mother's lingua franca. [lingua: noun]
Example
She has a passion for linguistics and the study of lingua. [lingua: noun]
tongue
Example
He accidentally bit his tongue while eating. [tongue: noun]
Example
She speaks four tongues fluently. [tongues: plural noun]
Example
He has a British tongue, even though he was born in the US. [tongue: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tongue is more commonly used than lingua in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lingua and tongue?
Lingua is more formal than tongue and is often used in academic or technical contexts.
