All Questions
Tagged with idiomatisms or idiom
478 questions
3
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Latin statement from a benefactor
What would be a Latin expression to state that something was given by a benefactor (i.e. not simply a gift from a friend or relative)?
I would be attempting to describe the situation of one person ...
- 133
1
vote
0
answers
32
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Latin scientific phrase for during, outside, non and never intervention [closed]
What is a scientific way of saying, in Latin,
During Intervention
Outside of Intervention
Never received Intervention.
Missing Intervention.
Thanks in advance.
- 111
4
votes
2
answers
363
views
Kind sentence or formula to end a letter to a close friend
I want to write a letter to a close friend who studies classical litterature, and I would like to end it with a sentence (or even just a greeting formula) in Latin which would convey a (non-romantic) ...
- 143
6
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4
answers
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"Too early to say" in Latin
Having some trouble in finding a good equivalent of the English pattern: "too early to say/judge". The most naïve literal translation might be: "id nimis praematurum ad dictum/ut ...
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1
vote
0
answers
54
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idiom: Pro convento nostro proximo
In the novice book, Musici Bremae, the author several times uses a phrase that appears to be some kind of idiom. For example:
Gratias ago. Pro convento nostro proximo.
What does this mean?
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5
votes
2
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337
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Is "ad conventus agendos" a dual accusative or does agendos modify conventos?
A commonly found Latin idiom is ad conventus agendos, found for example in multiple locations in Caesar. Should I understand this as dual accusative or as agendos modifying conventus, or to conventus ...
- 7,443
7
votes
1
answer
228
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Rolling your eyes
There is a common gesture: when we find something tiresome, when a perfectly avoidable annoyance was -- again! -- not avoided, when we know what is coming and wish it didn't ... we roll our eyes 🙄
...
- 36.1k
6
votes
1
answer
365
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Informal ways of expressing gratitude (and replying to the same) in Latin?
Background, modern examples
Most people who learn Latin and who want to gain some oral proficiency, will early on learn the phrase Grātiās tibī/vōbīs agō, and simply a Grātiās! to match English Thanks!...
- 3,359
9
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2
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234
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How do I save money in Latin?
How do I say "saving money" in Latin?
Ideally I would be looking for a verb (possibly with an object), as it could be used similarly to other languages I know, but a noun or an adjective ...
- 116k
5
votes
1
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126
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Do Future Tenses in Latin also serve for expressing "be willing to do"
(Well. I'm not a native English speaker. So my wording may be someway weird.)
In English Future Tense is formed of "will" and bare infinitive and could express the following meanings:
(sb.) ...
- 53
3
votes
1
answer
533
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How would I say to someone, "be yourself"?
If I wanted to advise or counsel someone that they should be themselves because this would ultimately make them happy, how would I say this?
My initial thought is something like:
Te Ipsum Es
Is ...
- 8,757
7
votes
1
answer
200
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Which preposition should be used with contrario and why?
Is it better to say argumentum a/ab contrario or e/ex contrario?
It seems that both are acceptable but in most Romance languages it is a contrario.
The movement out/from is not clear/explicit/graphic ...
- 221
4
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1
answer
378
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Is "aliae alias in partes" an idiom of some kind?
In Fabulae Faciles, section 82, I do not understand the expression "aliae alias in partes". Is this some kind of idiom? The phrase is:
Postquam tamen pauca mīlia passuum ā lītore Trōiae ...
- 7,443
11
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3
answers
1k
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Parsing "quae cum audisset"
I'm having trouble parsing the phrase "quae cum audisset," which I've seen translated as "when [subject] heard" or "and when [subject] heard" in the latin vulgate. For ...
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4
votes
1
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82
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What feminine noun is implied in ἐφέροντο τὴν πρώτην "were the leaders" (Philostratus)?
Philostratus, Lives of the Sophists 1.18:
ἡ Ἀθήνησι δημαγωγία διειστήκει πᾶσα, καὶ οἱ μὲν βασιλεῖ ἐπιτήδειοι ἦσαν, οἱ δὲ Μακεδόσιν, ἐφέροντο δὲ ἄρα τὴν πρώτην τῶν μὲν βασιλεῖ χαριζομένων ὁ Παιανιεὺς ...
- 31.5k
7
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3
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Translate "mind over body"
I should start by saying that my experience with latin extends as far as the fact that some words sound similar in italian, not much more.
I'm trying to translate the idiom "mind over body", ...
- 73
7
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1
answer
147
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Use of "in" with ablative
I'm hoping someone can clarify the meaning of the medieval Latin phrase "in ipsa" when referring to a decision or action not being "in" or "upon" someone, which I assume ...
- 71
5
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1
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145
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What would be a proper reaction to the question: "Can you come over?" or how do you say "Coming" in Latin?
In a comment to this question, JoonasIlmavirta suggests a spin-off question.
I have had this question simmering for quite some time, but this is a nice incentive.
Consider the following cross-language ...
- 1,378
7
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1
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Is there a more idiomatic way to say "to begin again"?
Incipere iterum seems like a very literal way to say "to begin again". Is there a more idiomatic way to say this? For additional context, when I think of this phrase, I think of something ...
- 8,757
2
votes
2
answers
825
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A Latin motto for SpaceX
Jeff Bezos company Blue Origin has a motto “Gradatim Ferociter” or Step by Step Ferociously, although they seem to take a very long time to do anything. Elon Musk also runs a rocket company (SpaceX). ...
- 325
15
votes
1
answer
460
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Roman wedding congratulations
How did the Romans congratulate a couple on their wedding day?
The concepts of wedding and marriage were not quite what they are now back then, but I assume that celebrations and congratulations were ...
- 116k
6
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2
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246
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Is there a Latin construction for a tentative question/suggestion analogous to "I wonder [question word]"?
At first, I thought "me rogo," but the dictionary did not confirm my suggestion. I think my German is interfering ("ich frage mich").
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1
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265
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How to say “dudes rock” in Latin?
I want to translate "dudes rock" into Latin.
Google Translate and working with synonyms got me to viri sunt prodigiosus (“men are amazing” more or less?).
But I'm wondering if there’s an ...
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12
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2
answers
3k
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Which is more correct, "status quo" or "statu quo"?
I always heard and read the expression "status quo" but I just found the alternative spelling "statu quo" in the Italian translation of Motivational Interviewing by Miller e ...
9
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4
answers
1k
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"Wishful thinking" in Latin
How to express the that a scenario just mentioned is probably too-optimistic and unlikely to happen (and might merely reflect the hopes of one, rather than being grounded on evidence).
phantasia comes ...
- 11.8k
12
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1
answer
2k
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How did the Romans congratulate a new father?
One of our users recently became a father and of course congratulations are in order.
How did the Romans do that?
More specifically, are there any attested congratulations to a new father in the ...
- 116k
11
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3
answers
4k
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Could one consider using Latin as a daily casual language these days?
I just saw a video asking like how would one say I just had an avocado toast and thought about some of the new stuff that didn't exist back then. How would we integrate new words into the Latin ...
- 1,829
8
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2
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How do you say "good morning" in Latin?
Are there different ways to say good morning in Latin?
Would bene mane be okay?
- 1,829
4
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1
answer
1k
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How is "as...as" to be Expressed in Latin?
In expressions e.g. "A change is as good as a rest."; "He was as good as his word."; how is the "as...as" part to be translated?
I've found quid sicut bonum ("Word ...
- 9,406
4
votes
1
answer
206
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Looking for the most accurate translation of "Remember and Persevere"
I'm looking for a nice Latin phrase to put on my college class ring.
Being honest: college was a pretty rough time for me, but I've pulled through a lot of hardships and I'm gonna be the first of my ...
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7
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1
answer
233
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Maria mater Domini
The phrase "Maria mater Domini" appears in Pseudo-Papias Fragment X (A fragment attributed by J.B. Lightfoot to Papias of Lombardy, 1040s–1060s, author of the Elementarium Doctrinae ...
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3
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2
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211
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Usage of fugio as an idiom to mean forget
I am confused how fugio is used grammatically when it is used idiomatically to mean forget. In Latin the regular word for forget is dedisco (to unlearn). However, usually the Latins used various ...
- 7,443
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1
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289
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What is Peniculus insinuating with his reference to Samian crockery?
Introduction and question
Pl. Men. 1.2.71.
Pēn.
Metuis, crēdō, nē forēs sămiae sient.
Pēniculus
You fear, I believe, that the doors may be Samian*.
* By [Henry Thomas Riley][1] translated as ‘of ...
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4
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1
answer
288
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Two kinds of falling
The English verb "fall", when the subject is a human, has two main kinds of literal1 meaning as far as I can tell:
A change of position: Moving suddenly from higher elevation to lower. (The ...
- 116k
4
votes
2
answers
217
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How should the phrase "in question" be translated into Latin?
I want to translate the phrase "in question" into Latin, as in:
Please deposit the car keys next to the car in question, and then leave by the main door.
How would I express this?
1
vote
1
answer
87
views
Is this correct Latin, substitution in an epigram?
I have never taken Latin, but I enjoy languages, and particularly pithy quotes.
There is a legal principle De minimis non curat lex, which is usually translated as “the law is not concerned with ...
- 13
6
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1
answer
2k
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How to say "Get well soon!"?
Salvete! My friend who loves Latin is sick and I want to tell him "Get well soon!" in Latin.
Is sanesco the right verb to use here? Should I use the present or the future imperative (mox ...
- 391
1
vote
1
answer
108
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"Life decreed better!" in Latin
Sort of, related to my another qestion.
I am looking for mo secular (for the lack of a better word) version of a phrase "Di melius!".
While I know that deus could be interpreted as "...
8
votes
2
answers
323
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"From beyond the grave"
When someone does something after death — such as causing harm by their will — they can be said to act "from beyond the grave".
Is there a similar idiom in Latin? Any era will do, although ...
- 116k
6
votes
1
answer
558
views
How does "quid causae" work grammatically?
I do not understand the grammar of quid causae = "[for] what cause", as in
Nescio quid causae fuerit, cur nullas ad me litteras dares
I do not know what the reason was why you sent me no ...
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7
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1
answer
358
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How to translate "Comfort the afflicted; afflict the comfortable?"
I am trying to translate the saying "Comfort the afflicted; afflict the comfortable" into Latin, but I don't actually know Latin, and I've run into a wall.
I think the verbs should be ...
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5
votes
1
answer
665
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How do I say "like a bull in a china shop"?
Searching, I found this page, which says "de armento in Sinis tabernam", which sounds to me like a (bad) literal word for word translation.
How can I express the feelings behind the English ...
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4
votes
1
answer
656
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Chasing Two Rabbits
While reading old Question: Two birds with one stone? I was reminded of the Russian expression: "A man who chases two rabbits will catch neither."
In English we speak of the futility of &...
- 9,406
9
votes
1
answer
1k
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"With all due respect" in Latin
Several sites, including the notorious Google Translate, have Salva pace to mean "with all due respect".
However I could not confirm this from classical sources, yet we can find several ...
- 11.8k
7
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2
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2k
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"Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about." in Latin
What would be the proper Latin translation of:
Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.
The author of the quote is uncertain and, as far as I can see, it is not a proverb or a ...
3
votes
1
answer
417
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Closest equivalent of "Don't get mad, get even" in Latin
I am looking for the closest equivalents of the following phrase in Latin:
Don't get mad, get even.
Preferably not a word-by-word translation, but an 'established' phrase or proverb.
3
votes
1
answer
213
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Translation of "Quasi non sit veritate"
Quasi non sit veritate.
Searched and could not find anything.
Thanks in advance to those that can help translating.
This is from a “Tactical” training company.
4
votes
2
answers
100
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To throw is human
So, if
To err is human
translates to
Errare humanum est
what would be a good translation for
To throw (a stone or projectile) is human
I'm looking at proicere humanum est and mittere humanum est;...
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5
votes
2
answers
2k
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A proverb «Talk bad, talk nice about me, but just talk»
Once heard alike in Latin, which context was that of people seeking, even demanding a shabby popularity, reputation in any of its' forms.
What would be a proper translation for that proverb?
Update: ...
user7416
5
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2
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883
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"Ready, Set, Go!" in Latin
How would you translate the common sport phrase into Latin. Here is my thought thus far:
Ready.
It usually used to mean "on your marks". But I would like to take it as "prepare!", ...
- 11.8k