Have you ever wanted to learn some latin, here are some easily learned and useful phrases. They are all authentic, gramatically accurate phrases to use in everyday life.

(Remember: C is usually pronounced K as in keep. U like O in wool, and O is pronounced like O in got.)


Small starter-uppers

Nullo modo

No way

Fors fortis

Fat chance

Raptus regaliter

Royally screwed

Labra lege.

Read my lips.


Chariot bumper stickers


Sona si latine loqueris

Honk if you speak Latin

Si hoc adfixum in obicle legere potes, et liberaliter educatus et nimis propinquus ades.

If you can read this bumper sticker, you are both very well educated and much too close.


Things to say to your psychiatrist

(It´s an advantage if you know a little Roman history if you want to get these.)

Intendum feror cupidine partium magnarum Europae vincendarum.

Sometimes I get this urge to conquer large parts of Europe.

Sentio aliquos togatos contra me conspirare.

I think some people in togas are plotting against me.

Quid agitur de matre mea?

What does my mother have to do with it?


Making excuses
Hostes alienigeni me abduxerunt. Qui annus est?

I was kidnapped by aliens. What year is this?

Canis meus id comedit.

My dog ate it.

Sane ego te vocavi. Forstan capedictum tuum desit.

I did call. Maybe your answering machine is broken.

Horologium manuale meum stitit.

My watch stopped.

Currus meus se movere noluit.

My car wouldn't start.


What to ask when at the Vatican


Ductine haec via ad Capellam Sextinam?

Is this the way to the Sistine Chapel?

Ecce lacunar mirum!

Now that's a ceiling!

Haecine taberna munusculorum unica est?

Is this the only gift shop?

Ubi possum potiri petasi similis isti?

Where can I get a hat like that?


Latin pick-up lines


Frequentasne hunc locum?

Do you come here often?

Nonne alicubi prius convenimus?

Haven't we met somewhere before?

Quo signo nata est?

What's your sign?

Apparet te habere ingenium profondum.

You strike me as a very deep person.

Credo fatum nos coegisse.

I think fate brought us together.

Apudne te vel me?

Your place or mine?


In a bar

Hoc ei propinabo!

I'll drink to that!

Caupo! Etiamnunc!

Bartender! Another round!

Da mihi sis...

I'll have...

...cerevisiam dilutam

....a light beer.

...poculum vini albi

....a glass of white wine.

...spiculum argenteum

....a martini.

Propino tibi salutem!

Cheers!