Latin quote · Friendship

Commodatum

“Loan for use.”

Roman legal term

Translation

What does “Commodatum” mean?

Commodatum translates as “Loan for use.”

It is a free loan of a thing that must be returned itself, like lending a friend your bicycle. Because the borrower benefits without paying, Roman law held them to a high standard of care.

Origin

The story behind it

Commodatum was one of the Roman real contracts, formed by handing over the thing; it survives under that name in many civil codes.

When to use it

How to use “Commodatum”

A neat term for a contracts class explaining the difference between lending and renting.

Latin
Commodatum
English
Loan for use.
Source
Roman legal term
Era
Legal Latin
Theme
Friendship

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