Carpe diem
βSeize the day
From Horace (Odes 1.11). A call to live in the present. Popularized in English by the film Dead Poets Society.

Scrolls are being unrolledβ¦
50+ classical Latin expressions every homeschool student should recognize β with meanings, context, and where you'll encounter them in real literature, speeches, and everyday English.
English is saturated with Latin. Lawyers argue pro bono, politicians invoke e pluribus unum, students use etc. in their essays, and clocks label hours with a.m. and p.m.These aren't antiquarian curiosities β they're living vocabulary.
For classical homeschool students, recognizing Latin phrases is the first step toward reading Latin literature in its original form. Once carpe diemstops being a tattoo and starts being two Latin words you can analyze (imperative verb plus accusative noun), you're already thinking like a Latinist.
Classical curricula like Classical Conversations, Memoria Press, and Visual Latin all teach Latin vocabulary in context. Memorizing famous phrases is a fun gateway: students get the payoff of recognizing them in English before they can read full sentences in Latin.
The Latin expressions most frequently quoted in English literature, speeches, and everyday conversation.
Carpe diem
βSeize the day
From Horace (Odes 1.11). A call to live in the present. Popularized in English by the film Dead Poets Society.
Veni, vidi, vici
βI came, I saw, I conquered
Julius Caesar's report to the Roman Senate after his swift victory at the Battle of Zela in 47 BC.
Cogito, ergo sum
βI think, therefore I am
RenΓ© Descartes' foundational statement of existence. Latin because 17th-century scholars still wrote philosophy in Latin.
Memento mori
βRemember that you must die
Medieval Christian meditation prompt. A reminder that mortality shapes how we should live today.
Tempus fugit
βTime flies
From Virgil (Georgics 3.284). Often inscribed on sundials as a reminder of mortality.
Et tu, Brute?
βYou too, Brutus?
From Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, spoken as Caesar recognizes his friend among his assassins.
Alea iacta est
βThe die is cast
Said by Julius Caesar as he crossed the Rubicon in 49 BC, committing to civil war.
Amor vincit omnia
βLove conquers all
From Virgil (Eclogues 10.69). Used in medieval literature, notably by Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales.
Latin phrases that appear on currency, government seals, university crests, and monuments.
E pluribus unum
βOut of many, one
Motto of the United States, appearing on the Great Seal and US coinage. Symbolizes unity from diversity.
Annuit cΕptis
βHe has favored our undertakings
Appears above the pyramid on the reverse of the US Great Seal and the one-dollar bill.
Novus ordo seclorum
βNew order of the ages
Appears below the pyramid on the US Great Seal. Refers to the new American era.
Sic semper tyrannis
βThus always to tyrants
Motto of the state of Virginia. Traditionally (but probably apocryphally) attributed to Brutus.
Semper fidelis
βAlways faithful
Motto of the US Marine Corps. Often shortened to Semper Fi.
Ad astra per aspera
βTo the stars through difficulties
Motto of the state of Kansas and a common expression of achievement through struggle.
In God We Trust / In Deo speramus
βIn God We Trust / In God we hope
In Deo speramus is the motto of Brown University. "In God We Trust" is the official US national motto.
Veritas
βTruth
Motto of Harvard University and a common heraldic device.
Lux et veritas
βLight and truth
Motto of Yale University.
Phrases used in scholarly writing, legal proceedings, and formal argumentation.
Ad hoc
βFor this (purpose)
Used to describe something made or used for a specific immediate purpose. "An ad hoc committee" = a committee formed for one specific task.
Ad infinitum
βTo infinity
Describes an endless continuation or repetition.
Bona fide
βIn good faith
A "bona fide offer" is a genuine offer made without deceit. Common in legal and commercial contexts.
De facto
βIn fact (from fact)
Describes what is true in practice, as opposed to de jure (by law). "English is the de facto language of air travel."
De jure
βBy law
Describes what is formally established by law, as opposed to de facto.
Pro bono
βFor the good
Short for pro bono publico β "for the public good." Lawyers describe unpaid work as "pro bono."
Quid pro quo
βSomething for something
A mutual exchange, one thing in return for another.
Status quo
βThe existing state
The current situation. Often used to describe what people want to preserve or change ("maintain the status quo").
Habeas corpus
βYou shall have the body
A legal writ requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge. A cornerstone of civil liberties.
In loco parentis
βIn the place of a parent
The legal doctrine that certain institutions (schools, guardians) take on parental responsibilities.
Latin phrases so common in English that we only use their abbreviations.
e.g. (exempli gratia)
βfor example
Used before a specific illustration. "Citrus fruits, e.g. oranges and lemons."
i.e. (id est)
βthat is
Used to clarify or restate. "The main event, i.e. the keynote speech." Not interchangeable with e.g.
etc. (et cetera)
βand the rest
Used to indicate a list continues with similar items. "Apples, oranges, bananas, etc."
et al. (et alii)
βand others
Used in academic citations when a work has multiple authors. "Jones et al., 2020."
N.B. (nota bene)
βnote well
Draws the reader's attention to something important. Less common in modern writing.
P.S. (post scriptum)
βwritten after
Used to add a note at the end of a letter after the signature.
A.M. / P.M.
βante meridiem / post meridiem
Before noon / after noon. The way English-speakers tell time.
A.D. (Anno Domini)
βin the year of the Lord
Used to mark dates after Christ's birth. Increasingly replaced by CE (Common Era) in secular contexts.
vs. / v. (versus)
βagainst
Used in legal cases ("Brown v. Board of Education") and sports.
lb. (libra)
βpound
Libra was the Roman unit of weight. The abbreviation "lb" for pound comes directly from Latin.
Latin phrases from Christian liturgy, Scripture, and medieval theology.
Pax vobiscum
βPeace be with you
Traditional Christian greeting, especially in Catholic liturgy.
Deo gratias
βThanks be to God
Common expression of gratitude in Christian contexts.
Soli Deo gloria
βGlory to God alone
A phrase Bach inscribed on his manuscripts (SDG), indicating that his music was dedicated to God.
Ora et labora
βPray and work
The motto of the Benedictine Order. Saint Benedict's rule for monastic life.
Ad majorem Dei gloriam
βTo the greater glory of God
Motto of the Jesuit order (abbreviated AMDG), inscribed on writings and dedications.
In principio
βIn the beginning
The opening words of the Latin Vulgate Bible (Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1).
Agnus Dei
βLamb of God
Part of the Latin Mass. Also the title of a painting and musical setting.
Kyrie eleison
βLord, have mercy
Though the phrase itself is Greek (ΞΟΟΞΉΞ΅ αΌΞ»ΞΞ·ΟΞΏΞ½), it's used in the Latin Mass and is part of classical Christian vocabulary.
When you encounter a Latin phrase, don't just memorize the English translation β ask what grammar is at work. For example:
Breaking each phrase down turns rote memorization into active grammar practice. See our Latin cases reference and verb tenses guide for the full grammar system.
500+ Henle-aligned vocabulary words, declension drills, and games for classical homeschool families. Free to start β no account needed.
Ten famous Latin phrases with pronunciation guides, meanings, and fun context. From E Pluribus Unum to Carpe Diem β phrases your kids will actually want to learn.
Read article β
LatinLatin boosts SAT scores, builds vocabulary for medicine, law, and science, strengthens critical thinking, and makes learning other languages easier. Here's why Latin gives students an edge.
Read article β
LatinGrammar-first vs. reading-first methods, how Latin fits classical education, realistic expectations for adult self-learners, and why small daily sessions beat weekly marathons.
Read article β
Related reference pages: