Latin, while no longer being used as a language in any culture or country, still has a lot of influence over modern languages.
Especially in Roman languages, like Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian, you can see that the vast majority of the language directly derives from Latin. They are, after all, languages that have Latin as a common ancestor!
Even English, although more Germanic than Latin, still has a healthy amount of Latin-based words and direct Latin words in its official vocabulary.
While many Latin words are used daily in English, there are many more that we should consider reviving as well!
Everyday Words We Use in Latin
You may or may not be familiar with these words that are regularly used in English.
1. Ad infinitum
Again and again in the same way; forever.
Often used to describe a mathematical pattern or to indicate that something never expires.
2. Ad nauseam
Referring to something that has been done or repeated so often that it has become annoying or tiresome.
Literally meaning "to the point of nausea," this phrase is usually used to express exasperation. You might say "he keeps talking about this one thing ad nauseum and it's getting really irritating."
3. Alibi
Elsewhere.
"Alibi" is used as a term in criminology. If you have an alibi, you have a way to prove your whereabouts at the time in question and therefore your innocence.
4. Aurora Borealis
Northern lights.
The Aurora Borealis is the natural show of dancing lights across the evening or night sky in the northern part of the world.
5. Bona fide
Genuine.
Things that are authentic and good quality are described as bona fide. It also describes when a person acts in good faith.
6. Circa
At, in, or of approximately.
Typically used to describe time periods, like circa 1502. It is shortened to "c." much of the time.
7. Cum laude
With honor.
When you graduate from school with a high GPA, you may get recognition as graduating Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor), Magna Cum Laude (with high honor), or Cum Laude.
8. De facto
In fact or in effect, whether by right or not.
You'll typically hear this phrase used when describing someone in power who ought not to be there, like "The de facto president of the country."
Bona fide: Genuine or in good faith.
9. In medias res
Into the middle of a narrative; without preamble.
You'll most often hear this phrase used to describe a type of storytelling, like a film or book. When someone says "The opening scene. We see, in medias res, the main character fighting off an army of ninjas with swords..." It means that we, the audience, were dropped into the middle of a story with no context.
10. Deus ex machina
An unexpected power or event that saves a seemingly hopeless situation, especially as a contrived plot device in a play or novel.
Another term used in storytelling like movies and books, a deus ex machina happens when an utter miracle happens that ends up saving the day. Many times, it seems completely out of tune with the rest of the story and it's often ill-received by audiences.
11. Ergo
Therefore.
Use this fancy phrase in your next academic paper!
In medias res: Into the middle of a narrative; without preamble.
12. Per se
By or in itself or themselves; intrinsically.
A lot of people mistake this phrase as being "per say."
13. Verbatim
Repeat exactly.
A very commonly used word used to express that what is being said is exactly the same as the original.
14. Veto
I forbid.
You're likely familiar with this phrase in politics.
15. Carpe Diem
Seize the day.
The carpet diem meaning in Hindi can be translated as "कल की चिंता न करो, आज को जीवो" or "kal kee chinta na karo, aaj ko jeevo," which means "Don't worry about tomorrow, live for today."
Latin Words We Should Add to Our Vocabulary
There is an entire Latin language full of intelligent-sounding and useful words that we don't know about! Here are some that can easily be learned and utilized in your daily writing or even conversation.
16. Lupus in fabula.
The wolf in the story. The Latin equivalent of “speak of the devil”.
Use this phrase when someone you were just talking about appears nearby.
17. De jure
According to law.
You'll sound intelligent and persuasive with this Latin legal term.
18. Deo volente
God willing.
There are many variations of "God willing" used in English and other languages. You can mix it up with this Latin term.
19. Ex animo
From the heart.
When you want to express sincerity or love, you can use this term to show your genuineness.
20. Ex nihilo
Out of nothing.
There are a few scenarios where ex nihilo could be used. If you're describing something appearing out of nowhere, you could say "These rain clouds just showed up ex nihlo!"
You could also use the term in a situation like, "You keep looking in the refrigerator every 10 minutes. Do you really think something to eat is going to appear ex nihlo?"
21. In toto
As a whole.
This term is fun because it sounds a little funny, but it's also useful. You could describe a group of people, the total cost of something, or the state of something with in toto.
Sic parvis magna: Greatness from small beginnings.
22. Mea culpa
An acknowledgment of one’s fault.
We all need to be able to own up to our mistakes and shortcomings. This term makes it easier to do so. Instead of saying "Sorry! My bad!" over and over again, simply use "Mea culpa!" It will also make you sound smarter, which could be a really good thing after you've just messed something up.
23. Non sequitur
A conclusion or statement that does not logically follow from the previous argument or statement.
If you know a thing or two about logic, you may have heard of the non sequitur fallacy before. It's also widely used in media, especially to make a comedic moment.
But, why keep it exclusively as a formal logical term? It's important to be able to recognize when you are making a non sequitur, and being able to call someone else out on theirs is also important.
24. Sic parvis magna
Greatness from small beginnings.
No longer are you limited to the term "underdog." Use this phrase to describe things and people that have surpassed what it seemed like they were limited to.
25. Sola fide
By faith alone.
A moving phrase that conveys the feeling of being able to do something "by the grace of God."
Deep Quotes in Latin
Want to know what Latin looked like when ancient philosophers would write their ideas?
We can get a general idea of these long-gone Stoics' personal writing styles as well as the general culture of writing and speaking at the time with these recorded texts.
Here are some pieces of sage advice from ancient Roman philosophers.
Seneca the Elder
“Crudelius est quam mori semper timere mortem."
It is more cruel to always fear death than to die.
“Non fortuna homines aestimabo, sed moribus."
I do not estimate the men for their fortune, but for their habits.
Cicero
"Quid dulcius quam habere, quicum omnia audeas sic loqui ut tecum?"
What is finer than to have one with whom you venture to say all things as with yourself?
"Quae enim domus tam stabilis, quae tam firma civitas est, quae non odiis et discidiis funditus possit everti?"
What home is so steadfast, what state so well-founded, that it cannot be utterly overthrown by intolerance and division?
"... [nemo] alterius, qui suae confideret, virtuti [invidet]."
No man trusting his own worth grudges that of another.
Seneca the Younger
Nemo quam bene vivat sed quam diu curat, cum omnibus possit contingere ut bene vivant, ut diu nulli.
Men do not care how nobly they live, but only how long, although it is within the reach of every man to live nobly, but within no man's power to live long
Qui non vetat peccare cum possit, iubet.
He who, when he may, forbids not sin, commands it. Alternate translation: He who does not prevent a crime when he can also commits the crime.
Latin is a "dead" language in the sense that it is not used the same way as functional languages today. However, Latin is still a well-known and well-studied language that has a lot of influence on modern languages.
Notably, Latin is used heavily in sciences of all kinds. So, if you are interested in biology, sociology, politics, or any other type of science, you can really benefit from getting familiar with Latin!
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