noun
culpa
KUUL-puh
Culpa (noun) means Legal term for fault or negligence, as opposed to intentional wrongdoing. Example: “The court examined whether the accident resulted from culpa rather than deliberate harm.”
noun
1
Legal term for fault or negligence, as opposed to intentional wrongdoing.
"The court examined whether the accident resulted from culpa rather than deliberate harm."
How to use culpa
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA legal Latin term for fault through carelessness, rather than deliberate wrongdoing.
When to use it
Mostly used in legal writing, not everyday conversation.
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Word forms
- Plural
- culpae
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The court examined whether the accident resulted from _____ rather than deliberate harm.
Etymology
A learned borrowing directly from Latin culpa ("fault, blame").
Frequently asked questions
What does “culpa” mean?
The word “culpa” means legal term for fault or negligence, as opposed to intentional wrongdoing. In plain terms, a legal Latin term for fault through carelessness, rather than deliberate wrongdoing.
How do you pronounce “culpa”?
“Culpa” is pronounced KUUL-puh (/ˈkʊlpə/ in IPA).
How do you use “culpa” in a sentence?
Here is “culpa” used in a sentence: “The court examined whether the accident resulted from culpa rather than deliberate harm.”
What part of speech is “culpa”?
“Culpa” is a noun.
Where does the word “culpa” come from?
The word “culpa” comes from Latin. A learned borrowing directly from Latin culpa ("fault, blame").
