99 Cool Latin Words and Phrases to Add to Your Lingua

"Mea culpa" - "Through my fault"

This Latin phrase is used to admit guilt or recognize one’s fault.

"Et cetera" - "And other similar things"

Essentially means "and the rest." Arguably every student’s favorite when one just can't be arsed to name any more examples.

"Caesar non supra grammaticos" - "Caesar has no authority over the grammarians"

This one has a pretty cool story behind it. The Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg made a grammatical error in his speech at the Council of Constance in 1414, which is when this Latin expression was first used. Anger, after someone pointed out a mistake, Sigismund decided to just tweak the grammatical rule to suit his preferences. Apparently, one member of the Council stood up and declared, "Caesar non supra grammaticos."

"Ubi amor, ibi dolor" - "Where (there is) love, there (is) pain"

Love can also be painful despite how high above the ground it makes us feel sometimes. This phrase alludes to the suffering that love, particularly unrequited love, can cause one's soul.

"Faber est suae quisque fortunae" - "Every man is the artisan of his own fortune"

"Veni, vidi, vici" - "I came, I saw, I conquered"

Can’t be the only one who recalled A$AP Rocky’s banger. Were the lyrics inspired by this Latin phrase? Possibly. Either way, apparently, Julius Caesar used it in a letter he wrote to the Roman Senate in 47 BC to inform them of his victory over King Pharnaces II of Pontus near Zela.

"Cogito, ergo sum" - "I think, therefore I am"

This famous phrase by Rene Descartes may appear vague and perplexing, but it was a realization that arose from his unique, individualistic approach to philosophy. According to him, many of the world’s problems stem from how we use our minds — through misunderstanding, poor definition, and unintentional illogic.

"Ad hominem" - "To the person"

It’s an abbreviation for argumentum ad hominem, which translates as “argument against the person.” It alludes to a rhetorical technique in which the speaker criticizes the opposing party rather than the argument’s key points.

"Per se (and not ‘per say’)" - "By itself or in itself"

The phrase per se is used when you want to refer to a specific thing on its own, as opposed to its relation to other things. For example, "It is not this Latin phrase, per se, that is important, but rather the concept it represents."

"De facto" - "In fact"

De facto describes an actual situation, although not necessarily intended or legal.

"Castigat ridendo mores" - "Laughing corrects morals"

This Latin adage basically means that "one corrects customs by laughing at them." This expression suggests one can mend bad habits by making fun of them. It probably goes without saying that you perhaps shouldn't make fun of total strangers. Still, your close chums will likely find it amusing.

"Ex nihilo nihil fit" - "Nothing comes from nothing"

The current reinterpretation of the phrase, which originally meant "effort/work is required to succeed," contends that "everything has its origins in something."

"Nemo saltat sobrius" - "Nobody dances sober"

Maybe Romans weren't so serious after all? Well, the circumstances and the origins behind the famous line were. While the story behind it is quite interesting, its meaning is self-explanatory.

"Nitimur in vetitum" - "We strive for the forbidden"

The modern world is accustomed to this type of conduct too. Essentially, nitimur in vetitum, a topic of much debate among philosophers, was also what prompted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit.

"Plenus venter non studet libenter" - "A full belly does not like studying"

Apparently, the Romans believed it was difficult to concentrate on studying after having a heavy meal. Thus, we can all agree that a power nap after a meal might be the universal solution to this problem.

"Barba non facit philosophum" - "A beard doesn’t make one a philosopher"

The English equivalent of this Latin phrase would be: “clothes don’t make the man." Another Latin phrase, ”cucullus non facit monachum, " similarly translates to “the hood does not make the monk.” Hence, knowing this phrase also doesn't make you fluent in Latin. Doleo; non doleo (sorry, not sorry).

"De gustibus non est disputandum" - "Of tastes there is nothing to be disputed"

Latin for “There's no disputing about taste.” Tastes are evaluated subjectively rather than objectively — everyone has their own, and none deserve preeminence. Amen.

"Lupus in fabula" - "The wolf in the story"

The equivalent of “speak of the devil” in English. This adage can be used when you mention someone, and they appear right away as if you were calling them.

"Risus abundat in ore stultorum" - "Laughter is abundant in the mouth of fools"

This one is comparable to the saying per risum multum poteris cognoscere stultum ("by excessive laughter one can recognize the fool") because, apparently, according to the Romans, the hallmark of stupidity is excessive and inappropriate laughter.

"Amor vincit omnia" - "Love conquers all"

This Latin saying initially appeared in Virgil's "Eclogues" (X, 69) in the first century BCE. It has since become a famous motto in English. The phrase expresses an unwavering love despite any barriers or opposing feelings that may stand in the way.