Learning new Latin phrases is one of my favorite things! These phrases are great for improving your vocabulary, increasing your understanding of Latin, and helping the language to feel relevant! These 30 phrases can easily be incorporated into your Latin classroom or used as an exordium in the 30 weeks of CC Challenge classes!
Veni Vidi Vici
1. Veni Vidi Vici – “I came, I saw, I conquered”
This early example of alliteration and parallelism was famously written to the Roman Senate by Julius Caesar when he sent news of a battle won. It can be found on merchandise in many stores today (ours included!) It is a great phrase to proclaim after a job well done!
Carpe Diem
2. Carpe Diem – “seize the day”
This inspirational Roman phrase from the poet Horace can still be found on everything from t-shirts to coffee mugs. A popular spin on this that is very appropriate for the classical student is “carpe librum” which means “seize the book.”
Alea Iacta Est
3. Alea iacta est – “The die is cast”
These are the famous words spoken by Julius Caesar when he led his army across the Rubicon River in Northern Italy. It meant that there was no turning back. (The “i” in “iacta” is usually pronounced like a “y” making it sound like “yacta”) CC director note: this is fun to say if you are playing N2K or a review game involving dice! There is no reason Latin has to stay in the Latin hour!
Cave Canem
4. Cave Canem – “Beware of the Dog”
This fun phrase was actually immortalized as a mosaic in the ruined city of Pompeii that was destroyed, along with the neighboring city of Herculaneum by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD79. Apparently warning one’s neighbors about a watchdog is nothing new!
I think it is fun to bring in a few other Latin words for animals and try to change the statement to “beware of the Pig” or “beware of the elephant.” Note that the animal is the direct object, so we have to remember to use the accusative case!
Panem et Circenses
5. Panem et Circenses – “Bread and Circuses”
This is a phrase that you can dive into on many levels that might be worth coming back to throughout the day. The satirical Roman poet, Juvenal famously wrote “give them bread and circuses and they will never revolt.” Basically, this means that if people are well-fed and entertained, they are easier to control, and the chances of revolt are slim. Modern memes show comparisons between the Roman colosseum and modern-day sports stadiums. Are governments still using this same technique to keep the people malleable?
Hunger Games fans will notice that “Panem” is the name of the country in the books by Suzanne Collins and that they are being entertained with the games as a way to keep the people in line. It is also fun to draw parallels to the fact that “Panera” Bread comes from the Latin root word “panis” meaning “bread.” Some students might be familiar with the hymn “Panis Angelicus,” which means the “bread of angels.”
These panem et circenses mugs are available in our shop. You can also find this design as a shirt or tote bag there too!
Senatus Populusque Romanus
6. Senatus Populusque Romanus – “The Senate and the Roman People” commonly abbreviated by the letters “SPQR”
The letters SPQR can still be found throughout Europe in areas that were part of the Roman Empire. In modern terms, it means, “this is property of Rome.” The letters were even frequently tattooed onto the arms of the Roman soldiers in a show of their loyalty to Rome! Percy Jackson fans might remember that Reyna had this tattoo in The Son of Neptune.
We offer some super fun SPQR shirts and tote bags in our shop!
Cogito Ergo Sum
7. Cogito Ergo Sum – “I think, therefore I am”
This famous quote was stated by the mathematician René Descartes. He was looking for the answer to the question, “what, if anything, do I know for certain?” His own existence is the only thing in the world he could be sure of!
Ad Infinitum
8. Ad Infinitum – “To infinity”
This literately translates to “to infinity.” If something goes on “ad infinitum” it means that the thing goes on forever. What is something you could talk “ad infinitum” about? This writer could personally go on about how great Latin is ad infinitum! I like to tack on the words “et ultra” or “ultraque” (hint: they both mean “and beyond” so if Buzz Lightyear was in Latin class, he might say “ad infinitum, et ultra!”
Caveat Emptor
9. Caveat Emptor “Let the buyer beware”
Caveat emptor is a simple phrase that is still applied to things such as buying a home, a used car, or especially, something from the internet! It means “let the buyer beware.” If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You better read that fine print and check over anything that you buy to make sure you are getting a good deal and that you are not getting scammed!
Persona Non Grata
10. Persona Non Grata – “An unwelcome person“
This phrase is also still used today. You might find yourself “persona non grata” if you commit a crime or etiquette error. If a person gets caught stealing, for example, they will be a “persona non grata” at that store. Or maybe you have a friend who is rude to your parents when they visit your house. They become a persona non grata, a person who is not welcome.
Draco Dormiens Numquam Titillandus
11. Draco Dormiens Numquam Titillandus – “Never tickle a sleeping dragon“
This phrase is emblazoned on the Hogwarts crest in the Harry Potter universe. It means “never tickle a sleeping dragon.” Excellent advice if you ask me!
Ad Astra Per Aspera
12. Ad Astra Per Aspera – “to the stars through hardship“
This inspirational phrase is actually the state motto of Kansas. No matter how difficult life (or Latin!) get, we can always shoot for the stars. Can you think of a time when life was difficult, but you came out on top? What English words do you think we get from the word “astra”?
Acta Non Verba
13. Acta Non Verba – “Deeds not words“
This phrase reminds people that to talk about something is one thing, but to actually do it is something quite different. This reminds me of the Scripture James 2:14-26 where he talks about faith and deeds. I often see a sign in rural Alabama that states this fact. Here is a link where you can find pictures if you like! Latin is everywhere, even when you think you are in the middle of nowhere!!!
Nos Morituri Te Salutamus
14. Nos Morituri Te Salutamus – “We who are about to die, salute you.”
Often seen as Ave Emperator! (Hail Emperor) Nos morituri te salutamus! This phrase was reportedly uttered by Roman gladiators in the arena before combat, in which they would most likely die. We can’t just die without greeting the emperor, now can we? I like to use it before a task that I know I will find difficult or for which I feel unprepared, such as a difficult exam or karate test. I hope you won’t feel the need to say this before your Latin exam!
Gloria in Excelsis Deo
15. Gloria in Excelsis Deo – “Glory to God in the Highest“
You are probably familiar with these words from Christmas carols at church, but have you ever stopped to think about what they really mean? This one is Glory to God in the Highest. While this is probably the most well-known, there are other songs that you might hear this Christmas in Latin as well. Oh, Come All Ye Faithful can be found as Adeste Fideles and there is my personal favorite Veni, Veni, Emmanuel. YouTube or Amazon music are great places to listen to hymns in Latin!
We are halfway through our list of 30 Latin phrases! Which one has been your favorite so far?
Ars Longa, Vita Brevis
16. Ars longa, vita brevis – “Art is long, life is short“
This phrase is credited to Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine. Art often outlives the artist, whether it is painting, music, dance, or craftsmanship. What things can you think of that outlived the person who created them? Why should we create art when life is short? Note for CC Challenge directors: this will be especially interesting to discuss in Challenge 2 when the students are studying art history and in Challenge 3 when we students have just studied music theory, but of course, it can apply to any level!
Errare Humanum Est
17. Errare humanum est – “To err is human“
Humans make mistakes. We sin. To err (or to sin) is perhaps the most human attribute there is. This phrase is often attributed to Seneca, although it was not actually found in any of his works. In some places you will find a second half of the statement that is, perseverare autem diabolicum, which means that to persist in error is diabolical (or demonic). Can you think of examples of human error vs. persistent sin?
Requiescat in Pace
18. Requiescat in Pace – “Rest in Peace“
When we see the letters RIP on a grave or even a Facebook post when someone has died, we think it means “rest in peace” but the saying is actually much older than that! This has been found carved into some of the oldest Roman catacombs. Similarly, a requiem is a mass sung for the soul of the dead.
Citius Altius Fortius
19. Citius – Altius – Fortius – “Faster – Higher – Stronger“
This is the motto of the modern Olympic games. The athletes all strive to be faster, higher, and stronger than the other competitors at the games as they represent their countries and the possibilities of the human body. This is a fun use of comparative adjectives, which can be found in the blue Henle Grammar book on pages 20-21.
Mea Culpa
20. Mea Culpa – “My Fault” (My bad)
Mea culpa is a fun little Latin phrase that is used in Catholic confessions of sin. A sinner might say “mea culpa,” which means “through my fault” or “mea maxima culpa” which is more like “totally my fault” or a “my most grievous fault.” We get our English words “culprit” and “culpable” from the Latin word culpa. In my modern Latin classroom, we use this phrase to be the Latin equivalent of “my bad!”
Arma Virumque Cano
21. Arma Virumque Cano – “Of arms and the man I sing“
These are the opening words of Virgil’s Aeneid. Aeneas, the main character is the “man” and “arms” refers to war. This is a fun verse to practice some Latin rules, such as the use of “-que” at the end of the word means “and” and “cano” which means “I sing.” Many advanced Latin students translate sections of the Aeneid directly from Latin. Now they have a jump start!
Dulce Periculum
22. Dulce periculum – “Danger is sweet”
How could danger possibly be sweet? Have you ever felt excitement while riding a roller coaster? Danger can be exciting to us! Have you ever done something that felt dangerous but that you enjoyed, nonetheless? This is also the clan motto for the Scottish Clan MacAulay.
Ad Nauseum
23. Ad nauseum – something that has been repeated so often that we are sick of it
You might say, “I don’t want to hear that Timeline song. My little brother sings it ‘ad nauseum!’” This basically means that you have heard it so often that it makes you sick. Are there any topics that your family or classmates would say you talk about “ad nauseum”? My family thinks I talk about how great Latin is “ad nauseum” and my sons talk about robots and Minecraft “ad nauseum.” What about you?
Corpus Christi
24. Corpus Christi – “The body of Christ”
Well yes, it is also a city in Texas, but in Latin, it is the body of Christ, generally referring to the eucharist in communion. We get our English word “corpse” from the Latin word meaning “body.”
CAVE IDUS MARTIAS – ET TU BRUTE
25. Cave Idus Martias / Et tu, Brute – Beware the Ides of March/And you, Brutus?
These are two of my favorite Latin phrases! Before his untimely death at the hands of the Roman senators in 44 BC, Caesar was reportedly warned by a soothsayer with the words “Cave Idus Martias,” meaning “beware the Ides of March.” The word “ides” means the 15th day of the month. In Shakespeare’s version, as he lay dying, Caesar uttered the words “Et tu, Brute?” meaning something along the lines of “Brutus! DUDE! You too?? I thought we were friends!!” (I paraphrased that…) There is a record of the soothsayer’s warning before Caesar’s death, but the dying words were apparently a Shakespearean addition. “Brute” is a great example of the use of the vocative case in Latin.
Be sure to read about our family’s chaotic remembrance of this day in the “how to make Latin fun” article!
You can find Et Tu Brute shirts as well as Cave Idus Martias shirts in our shop!
E Pluribus Unum
26. E pluribus unum – From many, one
This phrase is the motto of the United States of America and is featured on American currency. The US is a nation of immigrants. As the School House Rock song says, we are the “great American melting pot.” We came from many places to form one great nation! What other words do you know that sound like “unum” and “pluribus”?
Ante Meridiem/Post Meridiem
27. Ante Meridiem/ Post Meridiem – before noon/after noon
Have you ever wondered where we got the letters AM and PM? Well meridiem means “midday”, so the morning is “ante meridiem” or “before midday” and “post meridiem” means “after midday.” As a bonus, do you see the Latin word for “day” hiding in the word “meriDIEM”?
Semper Fidelis
28. Semper Fidelis – “Always Faithful“
This motto of the US Marine Corps is a phrase that you can find tattooed on many an arm! It means “always faithful” and is often abbreviated with the words “Semper Fi.” Have you ever wondered why the name “Fido” became a cliché name for a dog? Well, it came from the same word, “fidelis” because dogs are faithful companions! At Christmas did you listen to the song, Adeste Fideles? That was the Latin version of “Oh Come All Ye Faithful.” Similarly, “Semper Paratus” is the motto of the US Coast Guard and it means “always ready!”
Modus Operandi
29. Modus Operandi – “Method of Operation“
Have you ever heard a phrase like, “that’s not his normal M.O.”? It is especially common on crime shows. An M.O. or modus operandi is a particular way of doing things. A serial killer might have a certain M.O. or distinct pattern to their crimes. The bad guys in Home Alone left the water running after they robbed a house. This was their M.O. and made it easier to identify that the houses were robbed by the same crooks.
Cum Laude – Magna Cum Laude – Summa Cum Laude
30. Cum Laude/ Magna Cum Laude/ Summa Cum Laude – With praise/with great praise/with highest praise
With graduation season upon us, it seems fitting to end with Latin phrases that many will hope to find on their diplomas. Students with grade point averages (GPAs) above certain thresholds might expect to find the words “cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude” emblazoned on their diplomas. There might be other honors to go along with it such as tassels of a different color. While these Latin honors are impressive, all graduates should be proud of their accomplishments whether they receive these accolades or not!
I hope you have enjoyed these 30 Latin phrases. Of course, they are just the tip of the iceberg! Feel free to add your favorites to the comments below!