Latin Flashcards
Always faithful or always loyal to…..
semper fidelis
The vanilla ice cream. You know me: semper fidelis to the vanilla.
Doing someting to an annoying or excessive degree…
ad nauseum
Avoid using Latin phrases ad nauseum in your discourse.
I came, I saw, I conquered.
Veni, vidi, vici.
Famously attributed to Julius Caesar in a message he supposedly sent to the Roman Senate to describe his swift, conclusive victory against King Pharnaces II of Pontus near Zela in 47 BC.
The die has been cast.
Alea iacta est.
Another Latin phrase said by Julius Caesar upon crossing the Rubicon to enter Italy and begin the long civil war against Pompey and the Optimates. The meaning of this phrase refers to the point of no return.
I think, therefore I am.
Cogito, ergo sum.
Adictum(‘a short statement that expresses a general truth’) coined by French philosopher René Descartes in Latin.
What Descartes doesn’t know is that nowadays people prefer thebibo, ergo sumversion which literally means “I drink, therefore I am”.
Deeds, not words.
Or, actions speak louder than words.
Acta, non verba.
Similar tores, non verba, the English equivalent of this phrase is “actions speak louder than words”. In other words, act upon it, or, always follow your declarations with actions.
A favor granted in return for something else.
Quid pro quo
Something for something. Or ‘this for that’. A favor granted in return for something else. Similar to “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours”.
Something that is not planned, but done only when it’s needed.
Ad hoc
For this, or ‘for this purpose’. Something that is not planned, but done only when it’s needed. Anad hocmeeting.
Through my fault
Mea culpa
An acknowledgment of one’s fault or an admission of guilt.
The existing state (of affairs)
Status quo
Mainly used with regard to social or political issues.
“The officials wanted to maintain the status quo, so they did not vote to admit the new members”.
By itself or in itself
Per se(and not ‘per say’)
Used to describe or talk about something on its own, rather than in connection with other things. “I’m not a fan of the Latin language per se, but rather its influence on modern languages.”
Nourishing mother.
University or College formerly attended.
Alma mater
Used to identify the institution of education that one formerly attended. It suggests that a school provides intellectual nourishment to its students.
In fact
Existing in fact, although perhaps not legally…
De facto
Describes something existing in fact, although perhaps not legal. It contrasts withde jure, which refers to things that happen according to law.
An unwelcome person
Persona non grata
Especially used in diplomacy, but also in day-to-day conversations. “Julian is a persona non grata for us since he offended Miriam.
In good faith. Sincere, genuine or authentic.
Bona fide
If something was madebona fide, then it is sincere, genuine or authentic.
