55 Latin Terms/Phrases Commonly Used in English (with translations and explanations)

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Latin might be a “dead” language, but it’s still very much alive in English. You’d actually be surprised just how many of those fancy-sounding terms we throw around regularly are Latin.

For those of you with legal knowledge, you’re probably used to hearing a lot of these. But even outside of the courtroom, we drop Latin phrases all the time in everyday conversations.

Don’t believe me? Well, stick around, and I’ll show you 55 Latin terms you’ve more than likely heard before without realizing you’re listening to the language of ancient Rome.

Common Latin phrases used in English: 1-11

ab initio	from the beginning (used when something is considered invalid from the start)
ad astra	to the stars (used to express high aspirations or ambition)
ad hoc	to this (for something created for a specific purpose or on the spot)
ad nauseam	to seasickness (when something is repeated so much it becomes annoying)
ad infinitum	to infinity (for something that continues forever or indefinitely)
alma mater	nourishing mother (refers to someone’s former school or university)
alter ego	another self (used when describing someone’s second personality)
amor vincit omnia	love conquers all (expressing the power of love)
annus mirabilis	wonderful year (referring to a year of great significance)
ante bellum	before the war (used when describing the period before a major conflict, typically before the American civil war)
ante/post meridiem (am/pm)	before/after midday (used to indicate time, before noon or after noon)

Common Latin phrases used in English: 12-22

ars longa, vita brevis	skilfulness takes time and life is short (saying life is short, but art or skills take time to master)
bona fide	in good faith (used to indicate something done in good faith, without deceit)
canis canem edit	dog eats dog (describes a ruthless, competitive environment)
carpe diem	seize the day (encouragement to seize opportunities without hesitation)
caveat emptor	let the buyer beware (warning someone that they are responsible for what they buy)
ceteris paribus	all other things being equal (in economics, used to suggest all other things remain constant)
communis opinio	commonly held view (indicates a widely accepted opinion)
cogito, ergo sum	I think therefore I am (philosophical statement meaning)
de facto	in fact (indicating something exists in reality or is true in practice)
deus ex machina	a god from the machine (describes a sudden and unexpected resolution to a problem)
divide et impera	divide and rule (referring to a strategy of maintaining control by dividing groups)

Common Latin phrases used in English: 23-33

dona nobis pacem	give us peace (used as a prayer or call for peace)
errare humanum est	to err is human (means everyone makes mistakes, used to forgive errors)
et cetera (etc.)	and so on (used to represent additional, unspecified items)
ex libris	from the books (typically used in personal libraries, meaning ‘from the books of…’)
exempli gratia (e.g.)	for example (used to introduce examples)
festina lente	hurry slowly (advice to take things slowly and carefully)
hic et nunc	here and now (refers to something happening in the present moment)
in loco parentis	in the place of a parent (describes a role taken on by someone in a parental capacity)
in situ	in its original place (used to describe something in its original place or position)
in vino veritas	in wine, there is truth (means people are more truthful when drunk)
inter alia	among other things (among other things, often used in legal contexts)

Common Latin phrases used in English: 34-44

ipso facto	by the fact itself (indicates something that is true by its very nature)
magnum opus	great work (describes someone’s most important or significant work)
mea culpa	my fault (accepting responsibility for a mistake)
modus operandi	method of operating (used to describe someone’s usual method of doing something)
modus vivendi	a method of living (describes a practical arrangement despite differences)
non sequitur	it does not follow (used when an argument doesn’t logically follow from previous statements)
pax vobiscum	peace be with you (a blessing used in religious settings)
per annum	per year (refers to something that happens on a yearly basis)
per capita	per person (refers to something per person, often in statistical terms)
per se	by itself (used to refer to something in its own right, not in relation to something else)
persona non grata	an unwelcome person (describes someone who is no longer welcome in a particular place or group)

Common Latin phrases used in English: 45-55

pro bono	for the public good (refers to professional work done voluntarily and for the public good)
quid pro quo	something for something (used to describe an exchange where something is given for something in return)
requiescat in pace (RIP)	rest in peace (often seen on tombstones, meaning ‘rest in peace’)
semper fidelis	always faithful (used as a motto, meaning ‘always faithful’, often in military contexts)
status quo	the current state (describes the existing state of affairs)
tabula rasa	a clean slate (refers to starting fresh, with no prior history or experience)
tempus fugit	time flies (expresses how quickly time seems to pass)
veni, vidi, vici	I came, I saw, I conquered (a triumphant statement of victory)
vice versa	the other way around (indicates that the order of things can be reversed)
vox populi	the voice of the people (used to describe popular opinion or the voice of the people)