Though considered a dead language, Latin’s influence still lingers in many languages today, including English. From legal to scientific names, Latin phrases continue to be used in various fields. These phrases are so commonplace you might not even realize they’re Latin!
Common Latin Phrases
You know Latin—at least, a few phrases here and there. You just don’t know you know Latin. Below are some Latin phrases you still use today.
1. Et cetera (etc.)
Meaning “and the rest”, et cetera (usually shortened to etc.) is used to indicate there are other unspecified items in a list.
Examples:
- Bring some snacks, drinks, etc., to the party.
- They all had their uniforms, gear, equipment, etc.
2. In situ
Meaning “in position” or “in place”, in situ is used in various fields and contexts to refer to something that has not been moved from its original position.
Examples:
- The artifact was found in situ, leaving archeologists perplexed about its placement.
- Transportation is expensive and risky so any testing will be done in situ.
3. Vice versa
Meaning “other way around”, vice versa means that the reverse of a statement is also true.
Examples:
- In marriage, a man should help their spouse and vice versa.
- The plane goes from Taiwan to Australia and vice versa.
4. Ad lib
Meaning ”to one’s pleasure”, ad lib (short for ad libitum) refers to improvising something.
Example:
- If you forget your lines, try to ad lib something that fits the narrative instead.
- This singer is known for ad libbing her performances while on tour.
5. Alter ego
Meaning ”other I” or “second self”, alter ego refers to a person’s alternate personality.
Examples:
- He learned about her alter ego early on in the relationship.
- People often have alter egos that are more free and wild than their usual selves.
6. Carpe diem
Meaning “seize the day”, carpe diem is an encouragement to make the most of the present and not worry too much about the future.
Example:
- You Only Live Once is a modern take to the classic phrase, carpe diem.
- She owed her success to her belief and practice of carpe diem.
7. Cogito, ergo sum
Meaning “I think, therefore I am.”, cogito, ergo sum is a phrase popularized by philosopher-mathematician René Descartes. It means that the very act of doubting your existence is, in itself, proof of your existence.
Examples:
- Cogito, ergo sum has since become a fundamental element of Western philosophy.
- I subscribe to Descartes’ philosophy of cogito, ergo sum. Doubting requires thought, therefore my very act of doubting means that I exist as a thinking being.
8. Exempli gratia (e.g.)
Meaning “for example”, exempli gratia (usually shortened to e.g.) is used to introduce examples for something mentioned previously.
Examples:
- Nintendo has many iconic games, e.g., Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, Metroid, and Pokemon.
- She taught me plenty of writing tips (e.g., use short sentences, know your audience, and research your topic) for my blog.
9. Id est (i.e.)
Meaning “that is”, id est is used to specify something previously mentioned. It can be used interchangeably with “specifically” or “namely”. It’s also often confused with e.g. but functions differently.
Examples:
- Only one person, i.e. Jonathan, has the means and motivation to do this.
- Literature is largely split into two categories, i.e. fiction and nonfiction.
10. Requiescat in pace
Meaning “rest in peace”, requiescat in pace is usually shortened to R.I.P. It is often inscribed on gravestones or used to wish a deceased person to have eternal peace and rest.
Example:
- Person 1: “Hey, did you know Sheena’s dad just passed away”
Person 2: “R.I.P”
11. Bona fide
Meaning “in good faith”, bona fide means that something is genuine or sincere.
Examples:
- That grandma is a bona fide sweetheart.
- They approached me with a bona fide offer.
12. Per se
Meaning “ in itself”, per se is used to emphasize that something is being considered intrinsically, regardless of outside factors.
Examples:
- She’s not rude, per se. She just doesn’t know how to communicate well.
- That shop isn’t a museum per se, but it does have a lot of valuable artifacts on display.
13. Status quo
Meaning “the state in which”, status quo is defined as the current or existing state of affairs.
Examples:
- The arts have always been about shaking up the status quo.
- Unsatisfied with the status quo, plenty of once law-abiding citizens have joined the rebellion.
14. Verbatim
Meaning “word for word”, verbatim indicates an exact reproduction of someone’s words.
Examples:
- He asked her to repeat the man’s threats verbatim.
- This is a verbatim transcript of their debate.
15. Ad hominem
Meaning “to the person”, ad hominem is short for argumentum ad hominem—a fallacy where a person is attacked instead of the subject of an argument.
Examples:
- Social media is riddled with ad hominem attacks.
- Smear campaigns love to attack people ad hominem.
16. Quid pro quo
Meaning “something for something”, quid pro quo means granting a favor in exchange for something else.
Examples:
- Business often deals in quid pro quo agreements.
- There will be no quid pro quo for grades. Everyone will be judged solely on their academic performance.
17. De facto
Meaning “in fact”, de facto describes something that is true even if it isn’t officially recognized. Its opposite phrase is de jure (by law).
Examples:
- She’s the de facto leader of her group.
- There was no formal declaration so the countries are in a de facto state of war.
18. Deus ex machina
Meaning “god from the machine”, deus ex machina is an improbable plot device that solves a seemingly impossible problem, thus saving the day.
Examples:
- Stories with deus ex machina endings are unsatisfying to read.
- Deus ex machina got its name from actors playing gods who were brought on stage using a machine.
19. Per diem
Meaning “by the day”, per diem is used to indicate payment that is earned daily rather than annually or hourly.
Examples:
- Employees are given a $30 per diem as a food allowance while on business trips.
- The hotel charges a per diem rate for event attendees, which includes meals and accommodations.
20. Cum laude, Magna cum laude, & Summa cum laude
Their meanings, in order, are “with praise,” “with great praise,” and “with highest praise.” These Latin honors are awarded to university students based on their academic performance.
Examples:
- Jeremy graduated summa cum laude in Computer Science.
- Both of Link’s siblings graduated magna cum laude, which understandably puts a lot of pressure on him.
- Despite having a lot on her plate, Sarah managed to graduate cum laude.
What other Latin phrases do you know and use? Share them in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
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- Common Latin Roots That Can Help Expand Your Vocabulary
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
