50个常见拉丁语词

Must-Learn Terms

If you don't know these Latin terms, get to learning them ASAP, as they are commonly

used in speaking and writing and may be hard to avoid.

1.

Per se

:

The direct translation of this term is

used in English as well. You could use it to say that you don't find chemistry

boring per se (by itself, intrinsically), but this professor's voice puts you to sleep.

2.

Vice versa

:

From the Latin meaning

to reverse the order of something. This quote from Samuel Butler provides an

example,

3.

Alma mater

:

If you don't know this term already, you'll become quite familiar with

it once you graduate from college. The literal translation is

but you'll find it used in everyday language to denote the college or university from

which one has graduated.

4.

Magnum opus

:

Whether it's in writing, painting, sculpture or music, this Latin term

denotes the greatest work done by an artist-- a true masterpiece.

5.

Bona fide

:

While it's literal translation means

different shades of meaning in modern language. In legal terms, it is used to

represent something that is presented without deception or fraud, or literally in

good faith, honest, sincere and lawful. It is more commonly used to mean

something that's the real deal or truly authentic.

6.

Quasi

:

In Latin, this word means as if or as though and in English it is used as

both an adjective in its own right and as a part of a compound word. It simply

designates something that resembles something else but doesn't quite have all

the same features.

7.

Alter ego

:

Cicero coined this term, most likely taken from the Greek, to mean

second self

Many people have an alter ego, or another, perhaps hidden aspect of themselves.

One example from popular culture is Beyonce's alter ego, Sasha Fierce.

8.

Verbatim

:

If you repeat something verbatim you repeat it in exactly the same

words, word for word with no changes and no improvisation.

9.

Status quo

:

From the Latin meaning

designate the existing state or condition of things. For example, if you're making

money off of a high pollution industry it is to your interests to maintain the status

quo when it comes to environmental law.

Writing

Knowing just what these terms and words mean can be a big help in improving your

reading comprehension.

10.

Sic

:

Found in writing, this Latin word most commonly finds a home in brackets

(like this: [sic]) when quoting a statement or writing. It indicates that there is a

spelling or grammar error (or just something out of the ordinary) in the original

quotation and that the publication has only reproduced it faithfully, not made an

error of their own.

11.

Id est

:

You've likely seen this term in writing before, even if you weren't aware as

it is commonly abbreviated to i.e. In Latin, it means

when the speaker or writer wants to give an example or explanation that specifies

a statement.

12.

Deus ex machina

:

In direct translation, this term means,

and it harkens back ancient Greek and Roman plays. When the plot would

become too tangled or confusing, the writers would simply bring in God, lowered

in via a pulley system (the machine) and he would wrap it all up. Today, it's still

used in literature to describe a plot where an artificial or improbable means of

resolving a conflict is used.

13.

Exempli gratia

:

You'll often see this term abbreviated to e.g. in writing. It means

will be followed by some examples.

14.

Et cetera

:

Few out there aren't familiar with this term but may not know it as well

when it's spelled out like this and not abbreviated as etc. Meaning

others

below for definition) and that for the sake of brevity it's better to just wrap things

up with a simple etc.

15.

Ex libris

:

Back in the days when books were rarer and more expensive

commodities than they were today, it was common to mark your books with a

label bearing your own name and this phrase which means

While not as common today, some true bibliophiles still use the labels.

16.

Ibidem

:

Another abbreviated term, this word is more commonly seen in research

writing in the form of

footnotes and bibliographies to designate that the same source has been cited

twice in succession.

17.

Et alii

:

You're unlikely to encounter this Latin phrase in its unabbreviated form,

and will most likely only ever see it as et al when included. This is also a term that

is found in footnotes and bibliographies which allows writers to refer to a large

number of authors without having to write each name out (for example, you could

say that your source is Dr. Henry Jones et al.)

Everyday Talk

You've likely heard these words and phrases on the news or in conversations, and if you

didn't know what they meant then, these definitions will help make it clear now.

18.

Ad infinitum

:

You might be able to guess what this phrase means simply through

its similarity to the word we use in English. It means

to describe something that goes on, seemingly or actually endlessly, as some

students might feel about certain classes.

19.

De facto

:

In Latin, de facto means

used to distinguish was is supposed to be the case from what is actually the

reality. For example, legally, employers are not allowed to discriminate in hiring

because of age, but many still practice de facto (in reality, in fact) discrimination.

20.

In toto

:

No, this phrase doesn't mean that the cute little dog from

The Wizard of

Oz

ate something, it means in all or entirely. Think of it as saying

really weird voice.

21.

Ipso facto

:

Meaning

denotes when something is true by its very nature. For example, if you don't feed

your dog you are ipso facto a bad owner.

22.

Tabula rasa

:

When you were a child, your mind might have been more of a tabula

rasa than it is today. This Latin phrase means

something or someone not affected by experiences and impressions.

23.

Terra firma

:

Those who hate to fly or get seriously seasick will be able to put this

term to good use. It means firm ground, and you might be thanking your lucky

stars to be back on it after a trip through the air or rough waters.