Latin mottoes and abbreviations
These are the mottoes, sayings, and abbreviations Latin Launchpad practices with its vocabulary. Each line has the Latin, an English meaning, and a short note. Open one to read it on its own page, or practice phrases inside a year in the app.
Practice Year 1 · Classroom Latin
A
Ad astra — to the stars. A short motto for reaching high goals.
Amor vincit omnia — love conquers all. A famous motto about love as a strong force.
Acta non verba — deeds, not words. A motto that values action over talk.
Ad lucem — toward the light. A common educational motto.
Ad oculos — to the eyes; plainly visible. A phrase for something shown directly.
Acta est fabula — the play is over. A theater phrase tied to Roman performance endings.
Alma mater — nourishing mother. A traditional way to refer to the school where someone studied.
Ante bellum — before the war. The source of the English word "antebellum."
Ab Urbe Condita — from the founding of the city. The title of Livy's history and a Roman way of dating years from Rome's founding.
Anno Domini — in the year of the Lord. The phrase behind the calendar abbreviation A.D.
A mari usque ad mare — from sea to sea. The national motto of Canada and a useful contrast of prepositions.
Ager Vaticanus — the Vatican Field. The ancient name for the area on the west side of the Tiber associated with Vatican City.
Amicus in necessitate probatur — a friend is proven in time of need. A proverb about recognizing dependable friendship.
Ars longa, vita brevis — art is long, life is short. A reflection on the time required to master a craft.
Aut viam inveniam aut faciam — I shall either find a way or make one. A determined motto traditionally associated with Hannibal.
Alis volat propriis — she flies with her own wings. The motto of Oregon and a memorable way to connect ala, wing, with responsible freedom.
Arma cedant togae — let arms yield to the toga. A civic motto from Cicero: public order and law should govern force.
Alumnus / alumna — a nurtured son / daughter; a graduate. English keeps these Latin forms for a former student, with alumni and alumnae as traditional plurals.
a.m. — before midday. An abbreviation of ante meridiem. It marks the hours from midnight to noon.
A.U.C. — from the founding of the city. An abbreviation of ab urbe condita. Romans counted years from the traditional founding of Rome.
A.D. — in the year of the Lord. An abbreviation of anno Domini. It marks years of the common era.
Annuit coeptis — he has favored our beginnings. A motto on the Great Seal of the United States.
Ad astra per aspera — to the stars through difficulties. The motto of Kansas. The road is hard, and the goal is high.
Animis opibusque parati — prepared in mind and resources. The other motto of South Carolina. It pairs courage with what a people can supply.
Affidavit — he has sworn. A written statement made under oath.
Ad hoc — for this purpose. A group or a plan made for one particular job.
Arma virumque cano — I sing of arms and a man. The opening of Vergil's Aeneid, public domain. Epic begins with a hero and a war.
B
Bona fide — in good faith. Still used for something genuine or sincere.
C
Carpe diem — seize the day. A famous encouragement to use the present moment well.
Cogito, ergo sum — I think, therefore I am. A philosophy phrase made famous by Rene Descartes.
Civis Romanus sum — I am a Roman citizen. A proud statement of Roman citizenship and its legal protections.
Caput Mundi — head of the world. A title presenting Rome as the center of the ancient world.
Cave canem — beware of the dog. A warning famously found in Roman house mosaics.
Capitur urbs quae totum cepit orbem — the city which captured the world is captured. A lament associated with Jerome after the sack of Rome in A.D. 410.
Casus belli — a case for war. A modern Latin expression for an event used to justify war; it opens careful discussion about justice and restraint.
Crescit eundo — it grows as it goes. New Mexico's motto adapts a line from Lucretius and connects motion with growth.
Caveat emptor — let the buyer beware. A warning that the buyer must look carefully.
circa — about. Used with dates when the year is approximate. The abbreviation is c. or ca.
cf. — compare. An abbreviation of confer. It invites the reader to compare another place.
D
Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori — it is sweet and fitting to die for one's homeland. A famous line often studied critically in literature and history.
Dum spiro, spero — while I breathe, I hope. A hopeful motto that pairs endurance with hope.
Docere, delectare, movere — to teach, to delight, to move. Three traditional aims of effective speaking and writing.
Dictum et factum — said and done. A compact pairing of speech with completed action.
Deo gratias habeamus — let us give thanks to God. Kentucky's motto in Latin form; a useful bridge between gratitude, grammar, and Christian thanksgiving.
Ditat Deus — God enriches. Arizona's motto, short enough for students to parse while discussing what true riches mean.
Divide et impera — divide and rule. A political maxim about controlling opponents by keeping them separated; it is useful for recognizing manipulation, not recommending it.
Dirigo — I direct. Maine's motto suggests guidance, traditionally pictured by the North Star.
Dies irae, dies illa — Day of wrath, that day. The opening of the Dies Irae sequence, a medieval meditation on judgment.
E
Ex libris — from the books of. A bookplate phrase showing who owns a book.
Errare est humanum — to err is human. A reminder that making mistakes is part of being human.
Ego sum via et veritas et vita — I am the way, the truth, and the life. A line from the Latin Vulgate of the Gospel of John.
Et tu, Brute? — you too, Brutus?. A famous dramatic line associated with Caesar recognizing betrayal.
Esse quam videri — to be rather than to seem. North Carolina's motto and a strong classical Christian character phrase: reality matters more than appearance.
Et cetera — and the other things. The source of the common abbreviation etc., still used constantly in English writing.
Exempli gratia — for the sake of an example. Usually abbreviated e.g.; it introduces an example and is different from i.e., which restates or explains.
Esto perpetua — let it be perpetual. Idaho's state motto uses an imperative of sum and invites discussion of what things truly endure.
Excelsior — ever upward / higher. New York's comparative-form motto points upward and encourages worthy aspiration.
e.g. — for example. An abbreviation of exempli gratia. It introduces an example, not a definition.
et al. — and others. An abbreviation of et alii. It stands for the rest of a list of people.
E pluribus unum — out of many, one. The motto of the United States. Many states make one country.
Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem — by the sword she seeks quiet peace under liberty. The motto of Massachusetts. Peace is the goal, and liberty is the condition.
etc. — and the rest. The abbreviation of et cetera. It means the list continues.
F
Fortuna favet fortibus — fortune favors the brave. A compact proverb about courage and luck.
Fortes fortuna iuvat — fortune helps the brave. A proverb connecting courage with opportunity; juvat is a common alternate spelling.
Ferrum ferro exacuitur — iron is sharpened by iron. A proverb that also illustrates the ablative of means.
Festina lente — make haste slowly. A paradoxical motto advising purposeful but careful action.
Floruit — he or she flourished. Often abbreviated fl., this word gives the active period of a person whose exact birth or death dates are unknown.
fl. — he flourished. An abbreviation of floruit. It dates the years when a person was active.
H
Hannibal ad portas — Hannibal is at the gates. A Roman warning that serious danger was very near.
Habeas corpus — you shall have the body. A legal writ. The court must bring the prisoner before a judge.
I
In medias res — into the middle of things. A story starts in the action, then fills in the background.
In hoc signo vinces — in this sign you will conquer. A phrase traditionally connected with Constantine before the Milvian Bridge battle.
In umbra, igitur, pugnabimus — Then we will fight in the shade. This saying is tied to the Spartan answer at Thermopylae and to Cicero's Latin version.
In choro recitemus — Let us recite together. A classroom saying for practicing group recitation.
i.e. — that is. An abbreviation of id est. It explains the words just written, rather than giving an example.
In lumine tuo videbimus lumen — in your light we shall see light. A school motto built on a line of scripture.
In memoriam — in memory. A heading for a remembrance of someone who has died.
Ipso facto — by the fact itself. The result follows from the fact already named. No extra step is required.
In loco parentis — in the place of a parent. A person trusted to care for a child as a parent would. Parens is a parent, and pater is a father.
J
Justitia omnibus — justice for all. The motto of the District of Columbia.
L
Labor omnia vincit — work conquers all things. Oklahoma's motto, useful for contrasting diligent work with the Christian virtue of humility.
Lux et veritas — light and truth. A school motto, used by Yale.
M
Magister dixit — the teacher has spoken. A phrase about accepting a teacher or authority as the final word.
Mare Nostrum — Our Sea. A Roman name for the Mediterranean Sea.
Mea culpa — my fault. A direct way to acknowledge responsibility for a mistake.
Mater Italiae Roma — Rome, mother of Italy. A compact phrase connecting Rome with the Italian peninsula.
m.o. — way of working. An abbreviation of modus operandi. It names the usual method someone uses.
Montani semper liberi — mountaineers are always free. The motto of West Virginia.
Mens sana in corpore sano — a sound mind in a sound body. A line of Juvenal, often used as a school motto. Health of mind and body go together.
Magnum opus — a great work. The most important work a person makes. Magnum agrees with opus, a work.
N
Nunc aut numquam — now or never. A concise call to act without delay.
Noscitur ex sociis — a person is known by their companions. A proverb about the company a person keeps.
Nil sine numine — nothing without divine providence. Colorado's motto uses numen for divine will or providence; Christian readers can distinguish providence from pagan ideas of fate.
N.B. — note well. An abbreviation of nota bene. Writers use it to mark a point the reader should not miss.
Novus ordo seclorum — a new order of the ages. Another motto on the Great Seal, about a new age.
Non scholae, sed vitae — not for school, but for life. A school motto that turns around Seneca. He complained that people learn for school rather than for life.
O
Ora et labora — pray and work. A compact motto joining reflection with steady effort.
P
Per aspera ad astra — through difficulties to the stars. A motto about reaching great goals through hard work.
Pax vobiscum — peace be with you. A traditional greeting or blessing centered on peace.
Pax Romana — Roman Peace. The name for a long period of relative stability in the Roman Empire.
Post scriptum — written afterward. The source of P.S., traditionally used for a note added after the main body of a letter.
p.m. — after midday. An abbreviation of post meridiem. It marks the hours from noon to midnight.
P.S. — written after. An abbreviation of post scriptum. It adds a thought after the letter is already finished.
Pro bono — for the good. Legal work done for the public good, often without a fee. The full phrase is pro bono publico.
Prima facie — at first sight. How a case looks before the full story is heard.
Post mortem — after death. An examination made after someone has died.
Persona non grata — a person who is not welcome. Someone a community or a country refuses to receive.
Per se — by itself. Considered on its own, not because of something else.
Per capita — by the head, for each person. A count or a share for every person, one by one, rather than for the group as a lump.
Q
Quattuor anni tempora — the four seasons of the year. A phrase joining number and time vocabulary.
Quid novi? — what is new?. A short conversational question, much like "What's new?"
Quae sursum volo videre — I wish to see the things that are above. Minnesota's Latin motto joins aspiration with the verbs volo and video.
Qui transtulit sustinet — he who transplanted still sustains. Connecticut's motto uses the image of transplanting and sustaining, historically applied to a community under God's care.
q.v. — which see. An abbreviation of quod vide. It points the reader to another entry.
Quid pro quo — something for something. One thing given in return for another. Each side brings what the other side asked for.
R
Res publica — the public thing; the commonwealth. The phrase behind "republic," useful for civic Latin.
Roma Aeterna — Eternal Rome. A title expressing the idea that Rome would endure forever.
Rex Regum — King of Kings. A superlative royal title formed with rex and the genitive plural regum.
Repetitio mater studiorum — repetition is the mother of learning. A classroom motto about the value of steady review.
R.I.P. — may he rest in peace. An abbreviation of requiescat in pace. It is a wish for the dead.
S
Scientia potentia est — knowledge is power. A school-friendly aphorism linking learning and strength.
Si vis pacem, para bellum — if you want peace, prepare for war. A famous proverb for discussing preparation and peace.
Senatus Populusque Romanus — the Senate and People of Rome. Often abbreviated S.P.Q.R. on Roman public monuments and inscriptions.
Semper fidelis — always faithful. A widely used motto often shortened to Semper Fi.
Stabat Mater — the mother was standing. The opening words and title of a medieval Latin hymn.
Si quaeris paeninsulam amoenam, circumspice — if you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around. Michigan's motto is a full conditional sentence tied directly to the state's geography.
S.P.Q.R. — the senate and the Roman people. The public abbreviation of senatus populusque Romanus. It stood on Roman standards and buildings.
Semper paratus — always prepared. A motto of readiness. It is the Coast Guard motto, and a useful pair with semper fidelis.
Salus populi suprema lex esto — the welfare of the people shall be the highest law. The motto of Missouri. The people's safety outranks every other rule.
Sic semper tyrannis — thus always to tyrants. The motto of Virginia.
Status quo — the state in which. Things as they already are.
Sine qua non — without which not. Something you cannot do without. If it is missing, the rest cannot stand.
T
Tempus fugit — time flies. A reminder not to waste the day.
Terra firma — solid ground. A phrase used for dry land or reliable footing.
Tabula rasa — a blank tablet. A mind pictured as a wax tablet with nothing written on it yet.
U
Ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant — where they make a wasteland, they call it peace. Tacitus puts this criticism of conquest into a British leader's speech, reminding readers that peace without justice may be only a name.
V
Veni, vidi, vici — I came, I saw, I conquered. A concise victory report traditionally linked with Julius Caesar.
Verba volant, scripta manent — spoken words fly away, written words remain. A proverb about why writing matters.
Virtus et scientia — virtue and knowledge. A motto pairing character with learning.
Via media — the middle way. A phrase for a balanced path between extremes.
Video et taceo — I see and am silent. A short motto built from two first-person verbs.
Vae victis — woe to the conquered. A harsh saying associated with the Gallic capture of Rome. It contrasts domination with the Christian duties of justice and mercy.
Vade mecum — go with me. The phrase came to mean a small handbook carried for ready reference, which gives English the noun vademecum.
Verbatim — word for word. Still used in English when speech or writing is reproduced exactly rather than summarized.
Virtute et armis — by courage and arms. Mississippi's motto uses two ablatives; it can prompt discussion about courage governed by justice rather than force alone.
vs. — against. An abbreviation of versus. It sets two sides opposite each other.
Veritas — truth. A one-word school motto, used by Harvard.
Veritas vos liberabit — the truth will set you free. A school motto. Truth and freedom are paired.
Vice versa — the other way around. The order is turned about.
viz. — namely. An abbreviation of videlicet. It names the item just promised.