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I have a friend. She and I have strong loyalties to each other -- we have a semi-unspoken agreement to be always forthright with and always supportive of one another, and I want to express this sentiment in Latin.

My supposition is: "Foedus constat; utri nostrum curare" which I translate literally as "Our pact stands; to care for the other of us." Or, in more colloquial English "We made a pact; to care for each other."

Is there a translation which makes more (or any) sense? I'm quite unsure as to whether my translation would be understood in Latin.

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    First impression: For reciprocal actions, one typically uses inter se (or, in your case, inter nos). Using utri nostrum for this seems very odd, though perhaps you've come across a similar expression somewhere.
    – cnread
    Jun 24, 2020 at 8:45
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    @cnread: What about "alter-alterum" = "each other"; though a case-ending change may be required?
    – tony
    Jun 24, 2020 at 11:35

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I don't think there is anything wrong with Foedus constat; utri nostrum curare.

But I think I prefer the Vulgate's somewhat metaphorical version of this, Alter alterius onera portate (Carry each other's burdens). I mention it because you (or others) might agree.

This could be adapted to Foedus constat: alterum alterius onera portare, or just simply, Alter alterius onera portemus (Let's carry each others burdens.)

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    I like your non-literal approach here and your choice of passages from the Vulgate to use as a model. If you use the infinitive portare, though, note that the nominative alter needs to be changed to accusative alterum, because it's the subject of the infinitive.
    – cnread
    Jun 25, 2020 at 8:23
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    … or alteram if both friends are female.
    – Sebastian Koppehel
    Jun 25, 2020 at 22:08
  • @cnread Thanks! I'll fix it.
    – Figulus
    Jun 30, 2020 at 15:30

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