10+ Best & Beautiful Latin Words and Phrases (+ Latin Quotes)
Last Updated on 27th June 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
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Latin is a beautiful Romance language from which many of our languages in Europe stem from today. Latin quotes can be found all over the place from mottos to car stickers and so if you’re looking for some Latin words and sayings to use yourself, then you’ve come to the right place.
Contents
Why study Latin?
I’m often asked why I studied Latin. Latin, a dead language. My reply is always a nonchalant, ‘Oh, well it’s fun’ but perhaps it should be ‘Oh, well it’s useful’. After all, is the cornerstone for many modern European languages. Incidentally, if you’re having trouble focusing, then be sure to check out my guide on the best tips for working from home.
Disregarding this, it is also the root for most medical, plant, and law words in the English language. Nevertheless, the most important aspect of learning Latin is ‘those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it’.
The Romans were great innovators; they gave us sewers, concrete and high rise apartment blocks. However, they also had slaves, misogyny was rife and not everyone was allowed to vote.
We can learn a lot about how to and how to not run a society from the Romans. And what better way to understand a group of people than by understanding their language? So here are my top Latin words and phrases:
Best and most beautiful Latin Words and Phrases
#1 Carpe Diem
Seize the day.
Okay, let’s start with an easy one.
How is it even possible to rephrase Carpe Diem in English?
Don’t wait around.
Go out and chase your dreams.
Etc. etc. etc.
#2 Carpe Noctem
Seize the night
Literally the opposite of Carpe Diem, this one is perfect for all those all nighters you have to pull when you’re too lazy to have done that 5000 word dissertation earlier in the term.
As the daughter of two night owls, I often struggle to fall asleep before 4am and so I prefer this one to Carpe Diem.
#3 Ex Nihilo Nihil Fit.
From nothing comes nothing.
Work hard, play harder.
Without hard work and stamina, you won’t be able to achieve much. Nothing in life will just be ‘given’ to you.
#4 Salve
Hello + Goodbye
This is the root for the french word ‘salut’ and is used as a greeting for both hello and goodbye. There is no equivalent in English, and the Italian version would be ‘ciao’.
In case you ever get magically transported back in time, it may be useful to know how to greet a Roman!
#5 Audere est Facere
To do is to dare
Famously used as the motto for Tottenham Hotspur F.C., the origins for the use of Latin mottos has a history dating all the way back to the middle ages. Universities (and therefore their mottos) were founded around Catholic Monasteries whose main language was Latin (and so it made sense for them use Latin mottos).
Over the years, prestigious institutions have carried on the tradition of using a Latin motto to distinguish themselves.
#6 Semper Fidelis
Always faithful
Known around the world as the motto for the US marine corps, it was also used as the motto for the city of Exeter, UK (where I’m from) in the 17th Century.
#7 Amor Omnia Vincit
Love conquers all
Do I even need to explain this one?!
#8 Utinam Ne Illum Numquam Conspexissem
If only I had never seen him.
Confession time: this is literally my Tinder ‘bio’ because I’m really tragic like that (and I wonder why I’ve never been on a ‘Tinder’ date)!
#9 Alis Propriis Volat
She flies with her own wings
The actual phrase is gender neutral but is often translated as ‘she’ because the motto was originally used to describe nations (and countries are usually described as feminine).
Watch out for the double ‘i’ in Propriis; it is commonly misspelt in tattoos and logos…
#10 Bona Fide
With good faith.
#11
Got any good phrases to add?
Comment below!
Isn’t “vale” goodbye, pluralized as valete? I don’t recall from taking classes years back that hello and goodbye were both salve or salvete.
Alea jacta Est
I will go no matter what
Perfect and well written content
Malum consilium quod mutari non potest
Bad is the plan that cannot change
Carpe diem cum quam minimum crudis posteris.
Since I learned Latin, i turned the original female second-person singular normative credula quote into second-person dative plural crudis (making it the whole phrase gel better for a male speaker). Also, it comes with dual meaning, just like the original.
Thank you, Sophie. My favorite is “Vivamus moriendum est.”‘
Let’s live since we must die.
‘Audere est facere’ means To dare is to do! As in, brave it and you’ll manage it.
Orare est Laborare, Laborare est Orare—”to pray is to work, to work is to pray”. St Benedict.
Coram Deo, “before the face of God.” The phrase is commonly understood to mean, “living in the presence of, under the authority of, and to the honor and glory of God.”
Ad diem tendo
I strive towards the day… and other translations. I love how ambiguous’tendo’ is here, lots of different ways to translate
Amazing article. It was very interesting to scroll up with a smile and a ready to learn face. I just learn this one, right before reading your article. I find it interesting because I say it really often in English, and now that I know the latin translation for it, I’m going to used more often.
Carpe secundum: seize every second
Happy new year everyone.
“Post hoc ergo prompter hoc”!.After this,therefore because of this !!!
A famous fallacy in logic !.
“SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MUNDI”
Thus passes the earthly glories!.
We use this expression when something or someone passes away!
Hi Sophie, Thanks for this. I trust you are doing well.
Carpe dentum
Seize the teeth!
anima sana in corpore sano -> healthy mind in a healthy body (also acronym of Asics company)
Modus vivendi = way of living
Sine qua non -> an essential condition
mea culpa -> my mistake
Fortis fortuna adiuvat – fortune favors the bold/strong/brave. by Publius Terentius
Alea iacta est: the die is cast
Oderint dum metuant: let them hate, so long as they fear
Here is a great phrase commonely seen in law and medicine: “Res ipse loquitor” = “The thing speaks for itself”. Used when something is painfully obvious and requires no further explanation!
Oh — Morituri Salutamus
Greetings to my Masters Comps Committee
So adorable to learn Latin phrases with y’all so let’s “carpe diem”
Is there anything negative about the word “Apricus” (in any language) that anyone knows of?
Pls, Latin for “Forward, always forward.”
Our family motto when overcoming adversity. Thank you
@Walstr, prod, semper prod
Romani ite domum 🙂
Semper Fidelis
Caveat emptor — let the buyer beware
Etc. means “and the rest”. Since you’ve already included the rest, you can’t include them again. So saying etc. etc. etc., you’re being (painfully) redundant. One etc. covers everything.
Momento Mori- Remember you must die. A reminder to live life to the fullest extent possible because we must die. Reminds us of our mortality
Solis Occasum
Watching a beautiful sunset is even more lovely if you can use the Latin word for the experience. “Solis occasum” means “the setting of the sun.”
“Le seul” is French but it means “The only one”
Quid pro quo – something for something
ex verbatim – by words of mouth
Caput tuum in ano est. My high school latin teacher had no response for us when we can up with that one.
Sursum corda. Lift up your hearts. From the Latin mass.
you forgot sic parvis magna
Viva Amor ?
Long Live Love
Correct if wrong Pls
More accurately it means. Love alive
Laus Deo : Praise be to God
Latin inscriptions at the top of the Washington monument.
A play on words from old 4th year Latin teacher still brings a smile to my face…”Semper ubi sub ubi”. No one should leave home unless he/she is doing this. Ask your mother.
Noli illegitimi carborundum. Don’t let the bastards grind you down.
Audaces fortuna iuvat
Fortune favors the bold.
Ad Jesum per Mariam- to Jesus through Mary.
“Ad majored Dei Gloriam”- All for the glory of God
Si vis pacem, parabellum
Hi! Can someone translate ”Nothing real can’t be threatened” and ” I’m the lion” and If someone has some empowering words in latin that could make a great tattoo let me know! Something like Excelsior for example.
Nos murituri te salutalem – we who are about to die salute you
Said by gladiators before a battle
Possumus……we are able
miseria fortes viros-misery makes strong people
il vincit qui patitur-He conquers who endures
Vincere Diem- “Win the day”
Hey, I wanted to get “learn to love” tattooed in Latin, since I have so many issues with love.
Could anyone help me translate it?
Thank you so much for your help ❤️❤️❤️
Many phrases have various meanings and so I would consult with a Latin professor before committing to a tattoo!
Yes, I’ve seen those meanings on the internet, I’m considering tattooing it in English to avoid mistakes
Ego sum stultus means “I am stupid”, so I wouldn’t go for that one O.o
Ego Omnia!
Would someone be able to translate “Paucorum est intellegere non celet fortunae et in paucorum bonorum.” For me? It is my twitter bio from a while ago but I can’t remember what it means and Google translate is no help when it comes to Latin. Thanks in advance
“The few that I can not hide from his fortune and a few good men.” Might have a grammar issue.
No mention of veni, vidi, vici?
“Docendo discimus” (I teach so we learn). I think it’s the motto for every teacher…we learn so much from our students! I memorized this when I started learning Latin to add to my class, and it has spoken to me ever since. Of course, in teaching, there’s also the moments everyone has in the classroom, and then “Dirige me, Domine!”-said while trying not to roll the eyes- (Lead me, Lord!) comes into play! Also good as a substitute for counting to 10…
momento mori – remember (that) you will die
hi i need help from anyone. i want to put a name for my shopping store. please give me some suggestions name from Latin with English meaning
So you are telling me nobody is even going to mention Sic Parvis Manga?
Greatness from small beginnings, I thought I was the only one here!
I remembered this from school and then my friend was playing The nathan Drake series and that came up again… i wanted the ring with that on it,,,,
hi, anyone can help translate these 2 phrases in Latin?
“World of Life”
“Small World”
thank you~!
Minimundus, die kleine Welt am Wörthersee.
A “theme park” of miniature architecture from around the world and through history in Austria.
In libras libertas
In books, freedom
Sapere Aude – Dare To Know
En omnibus, vertus est clavem!
In everything, courage is key!
Vox Populi, Vox Dei – The voice of the people is the voice of God.
What an awesome article! Hopefully someone could help me. I am looking for a correct way of saying in Latin of a few things. “Love is all” or “love is everything” and the other two “higher than the stars” “only the stars are higher”
Would really appreciate the help)
The first phrase I learnt at the age of 6 was: ”Ubi bene ibi patria.” No need to translate it, speaks by itself clearly.
That’s a perfect phrase for the world now. At the age of six I didn’t know I will move to another country and will become a patriot of that country.
I prefer “Ubi Panis Ibi Patria”
Finis coronat opus- the end crowns the work
Omnia mutantur nos et mutamur in illis. Everything changes and we change with it
I always thought the saying was Alis Volat Propriis am I wrong? Just wondering as I wanted to her this inscribed into a necklace bar
hihi! i just stumbled upon this post hahaha. im looking for a latin way of saying something family related. such as “i live for my family” or “family first” or “family before all”. do you think you could help me out?
I have so many sayings I love, here are just a few.
“aut neca aut necare” ~Either kill or be killed
“Veritas Vos Liberabit” ~The truth will set you free.
“dictum factum” ~What is said is done.
“fortes fortuna adiuvat” ~Fortune favors the bold.
“humilitas occidit superbiam” ~Humiity conquers pride.
“ex nihilo nihil fit” ~ Out of nothing, comes nothing.
I love this article! Latin is such a beautiful language, and I hate that it’s called a “dead langauge” because it’s not only the cornerstone, or should I say ” Primarii Lapidis” which means “Foundation-stone”. Latin is history itself including how it was formed, who spoke it, and the prominance it has in the Catholic and Pagan faiths. Im sure most people have seen a movie or TV show where you hear a Priest say, “In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti”. Millions of people still speak, teach, and learn Latin. Njerep is a language spoken in Nigeria by only FOUR people! Latin isn’t even the top 10 of least spoken language.
It’s out of the context but those latin phrases sound like good book titles….okay I’m out
Literally came here for some good book titles
Omnium Rerum Principia Parva Sunt
The beginning of all things is small.
Tempus Fugit- Time Flies
And my favorite
Assinorum
Literally translates to “Bridge of Donkeys”. Polite way of calling someone a Jackass.
Amor meus, pondus meum
My love [is] my gravity – St. Augustine
St. Augustine also says that ‘all the other emotions of the soul are caused by love.’ Anything we do is out of love of something. What do you love, that is the question?
Thanks Rob. Those are some truly beautiful words and thoughts. There is weight to the smallest decision. I will be thinking about Augustine’s words all day
My favourite is Amor fati love of one’s fate.
Esperanto is more useful.
Qui tacet consentit.
He who is silent consents.
Loved this article!! Thanks for writing it!! 🙂
Just wanted to add the last line that pulls the
first two together:
Carpe Diem Carpe Noctem, Carpe Vitam
Seize the day, seize the night, seize this life!
What’s do right and fear nothing in Latin?
These are all so beautiful! Could someone tell me if there is a phrase similar to “To the Moon and back”
This phrase means a lot to me and I want to get it as a tattoo. Latin is such a beautiful language and I want to make sure I get it right..
Et ad lunam, retro
ad eundum quo nemo ante iit- (latin translation of Star Trek’s motto) to boldly go where no man has gone before
I want to get “strength in friendship” as a tattoo… but wanted to make sure it was correct. Virtute amicitia?
Hell All, I’m looking for a wee bit of help. I have an antique bell with the names of four animals carved into it with accompanying images.
I’ve easily deduced: LEO and AQVILA but am stuck on:
ACNVS – the image is definitely a 4-legged animal
ELICANVS- the image with it looks like a stork or perhaps pelican
Thanks in advance!
Hi Michelle, if you are still looking for an answer to your question… the four animals would be religious symbols. The lion and and the eagle are commonly used to symbolise St Mark (lion) and St John (eagle). The next is probably ‘Agnus’ or lamb. The pelican also has Christian symbolism dating from the medieval period, based on the myth of the pelican sacrificing itself to feed its young.
Thank-you so much, Shelley! That is very helpful.
Agnes Dei…lamb of God
Cogito Ergo Sum – I Think Therefore I Am
Bibo ergo sum
Bibo ergo ebrius sum
In veritas dolor – truth through pain
Nosce Te Ipsum ~ Know Thyself
Ad astra per aspera – “through hardship to the stars”
Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit.- and perhaps one day it will help to remember these things
Vergil, nice. I like adding “even” in front of “these things” bc it adds more drama to the scene. I felt Aeneas in that scene honestly, lying through his teeth and pushing through the pain for the sake of his men.
I would like to get a tattoo in latin that means “Truth in Love” and I’m finding different translations on the web. Can you tell me how you would interpret it please?
How do I translate “The air that I breathe”???
What is the correct translation for “the light within me” in latin?
ALETHEIA…Not only to know the truth but to tell yourself the truth!
Nil Sine Magno Labore: Nothing is achieved without hard work!
Appopinquare non animum recouparare: To approach and lose your mind
Amare et sapere vix deo conceditur. – “Even a god finds it hard to love and be wise at the same time.”
Memento Viveri
Remember to live.. don’t be carried away with challenges life throws at you, take time to smile and enjoy beautiful life
Love Love Love
Latin and Greek weren’t offered when I was in High School in the early 1970’s–something about it being “irrelevant” (sigh). I went on to a career in biology in which both those languages would have been wonderful to know and understand.
Sooo….could you help me out with this request?
I would like my weightlifting shirt to read: “She lifts with her own strength.”
Hey! Can you perhaps translate: “life is precious”.. I struggle to find an accurate meaning without religion added to the phrase
actually, Salve is hello to one person, Salvete is hello to two or more people. However, Vale means goodbye to one person and Valete means goodbye to two or more people.
Nil manet semper
(There are no sweeter words than this)
In Omnia Paratus (Ready for anything) I love this phrase from Gilmore Girls <3
Wow… That’s good one.
Hello, that’s a beautiful article!
Can I ask for some help, an advice. I would like to have a tattoo with my family’s first letter names in latin words that form a nice sentence with great meaning if possible.. The letters are G, S, D, V . Can you think of beautiful latin words with those letters? Thank you in advance!! ♡
I’m not sure you can create a word with that since there are no vowels to form “actual” words with
Maybe try with the first and second letters of their names
I think she meant a latin sentace in witch the first letters of the words are g s d v
“Amor ex oculis oriens
in pectus cadit.”
Love is borne by the eye and sinks into the heart.
Wow Angelinna that’s beautiful… Thanks for sharing
Wow… Angelinna that’s beautiful, tgabks for sharing. 🙂
WOW. THAT IS BEAUTIFUL
amicitia tutela a ligno,
friendship is a protective tree
Love this! I studied Latin for 10 years and always got weird looks when I said I enjoyed it. So glad to see that someone else appreciates it! 🙂
I love it! Thanks!
Spero means I hope.
Dum spiro spero-while I breathe I hope
This is very beautiful. Thank you very much
This is beautiful
One of the first Latin phrases I was told (over 30 years ago) and the one I remember best. Maybe because it is so beautiful.
Dura lex sed lex
Sic transit gloria mundi
per aspera ad astra!:) I learned Latin for two years in high school:)
Wow, I love this list! I knew some of the Latin phrases, but not their English translations. Most I just didn’t know. I love Audere est Facere.
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