Cool Latin words originate from the ancient Latin language used by the mighty Romans ages ago. We’ve collected some of the Latin words that sound cool, along with their meanings. You will also find some Latin quotes and phrases that you can permanently etch on your skin. But first, let’s understand more about these Latin words.
Cool Words in Latin: Why Are They Still Used?
While you may spot the occasional use of Latin in scholarly articles, zoo exhibit signs, or anatomy textbooks, Latin hasn’t been commonly used or written for hundreds of years. Yet, its influence may still be seen in the vocabulary of both Germanic and Romance, sometimes called Romantic, languages.
In fact, you probably use many ordinary, famous, or cool Latin phrases in your speech or writing without even realizing it! Common Latin phrases such as et cetera, ad hoc, per se, vice versa, or CV (short for curriculum vitae) occasionally sneak into our vocabulary without us directly acknowledging it.
However, unlike swear or slang words, cool Latin phrases and expressions help enrich our speech. Hence, such lingo ‘imposters’ are very much welcome and encouraged, even. And although idioms and quotes are excellent devices for delivering a memorable speech, cool phrases in Latin can be just as powerful.
Cool Latin Phrases & Their Meanings
Below, we’ve compiled some cool Latin words and meanings and some phrases that you may as well use in your everyday or professional language. Just ensure you use them in the proper context! Are there any famous Latin phrases you use often? Let us know in the comments! Also, upvote a cool Latin phrase (or two) you saw on the list that you might add to your vocabulary!
#1
"Mulgere hircum" - "To milk a male goat"
This Latin phrase refers to attempting to do something impossible. Which makes sense, considering it's impossible to milk a male goat, duh.
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19points
#2
"Et tu, Brute?" - "And you, Brutus?"
This Latin proverb appears in Julius Caesar’s assassination scene in William Shakespeare’s play “Julius Caesar.” These are Julius Caesar’s final remarks as he recognizes his friend Marcus Junius Brutus as one of the perpetrators. The phrase can today be used ironically to disparage a friend’s change of heart.
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16points
#3
"Bona fide" - "In good faith"
If something is done bona fide, it refers to an action done in a sincere, genuine, or authentic manner. In law, it refers to actions done "without the intention to deceive."
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16points
#4
"Festina lente" - "Hurry slowly"
Festina lente, which roughly translates to "make haste slowly," essentially urges one to proceed quickly yet prudently. Augustus, the Roman emperor, frequently chastised his military commanders, telling them to "hasten slowly," as he believed rushing was a dangerous trait in an officer.
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16points
#5
"Persona non grata" - "An unwelcome person"
Refers to a person who is not welcome. For example, "He has become persona non grata in our club since his angry outburst."
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15points
#6
"Cui bono?" - "Good for whom?"
Or who benefits from this? This term implies that you should look for the culprit in the individual who would benefit from an unpleasant event. For instance, cui bono conveys that if a crime has been committed, the perpetrator was probably someone who received some advantage from it.
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15points
#7
"Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes" - "I fear Greeks even if they bring gifts"
This expression from "Aeneid," a Latin epic poem by Virgil, was said by Trojan priest Laocoön when he warned his fellow Trojans about accepting the gift from the Greeks. An alternative translation could be, "Do not trust enemies bringing you presents," since they could be pulling a prank.
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15points
#8
"Nemo mortalium omnibus horis sapit" - "Of mortal men, none is wise at all times"
Just because one considers themselves generally intelligent and wise doesn't mean they are always so. This Latin proverb, which literally translates to "Of mortal men, none is wise at all times," serves as a reminder.
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14points
#9
"Ad hoc" - "For this"
Or “for this purpose.” It describes something that is unplanned but only carried out when required. For example, an ad hoc meeting.
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13points
#10
"Pecunia non olet" - "Money doesn't smell"
The origins of this are also worth retelling. Apparently, when Roman emperor Vespasian imposed a urine tax, his son Titus complained of the money's "disgusting" nature. Foremost, let's address the elephant in the room. No, the Romans didn't have to pay taxes to relieve their bladder. Urine was actually used to conduct chemical processes; thus, the urine tax was meant for the buyers of it. Vespasian answered his son by holding up a gold coin and asking whether it smelled. And it doesn't. Unless the previous holder didn't wash their hands properly.
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13points
Cool Latin Quotes & Phrases for Minimalist Tattoos
Here’s a short list of cool Latin quotes and phrases with meanings that you can get inked:
- Sapientia Potentia Est—Wisdom is power
- Cras Es Noster—Tomorrow, be ours
- Dum Vita Est, Spes Est—While there is life, there is hope
- Familia Supra Omnia—Family over everything
- Fons Vitae Caritas—Love is the fountain of life
- Fortiter Et Fideliter—Bravely and faithfully
- Omne Initium Difficile Est—Every beginning is difficult
- Calamus Gladio Fortior—The pen is mightier than the sword
- Bono Malum Superate—Overcome evil with good
- Ad Victoriam—To Victory
- Sola Fide—By faith alone
#11
"Memento vivere" - "Remember to live"
The opposite of the famous memento mori ("remember that you [have to] die") is memento vivere, which serves as a reminder to live each day to the fullest.
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13points
#12
"Sapere aude" - "Dare to know"
Other loose translations of this Latin proverb could be "Have the courage to use your own reason," or even more fancifully, "Dare to be wise." After Immanuel Kant used it in his essay "Answering the Question: What Is Enlightenment?" (1784), the phrase sapere aude became associated with the Age of Enlightenment.
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13points
#14
"Solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris" - "Misery loves company"
You are probably already familiar with it since it is commonly used to express commiseration. Christopher Marlowe, a playwright and William Shakespeare's contemporary, is to thank. It is a comfort to the miserable to have others share their sorrow.
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13points
#15
"Acta, non verba" - "Deeds, not words"
The English equivalent of this phrase is “actions speak louder than words,” which is similar to the Latin res, non verba. In other words, always back up your words with deeds or act upon what you say.
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12points
#16
"Deus ex machina" - "God from the machine"
A deus ex machina, or improbable solution to an impossibility, usually occurs in movies when the plot is highly convoluted, and then something (or someone) emerges at the very end and resolves everything. It’s sometimes considered a cheap or easy approach to tie up loose ends in movies or literature. It originates from Greek plays when gods, by descending from above, would clean up the mess that mankind had created.
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12points
#17
"Ad infinitum" - "To infinity"
"Without end or limit," or when something repeatedly occurs in the same manner, it is said to occur ad infinitum. For example, "This cycle keeps repeating ad infinitum."
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12points
#18
"Astra inclinant, sed non obligant" - "The stars incline us, they do not bind us"
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12points
#19
"Carpe diem" - "Seize the day"
Another Latin phrase that is frequently used nowadays. The saying aims to motivate people to focus on the present rather than the future and make the most of it.
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11points
#20
"In vino veritas" - "In wine, there is truth"
This Latin proverb implies that a person under the influence of alcohol is more likely to express their hidden wants and thoughts.
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11points