Spanish is a very rich language, which has around 100 thousand words in its vocabulary. Of these the 70% comes from Latinwhich is quite a bit if we consider that the 10% comes from Greek.
Latin was the language of the ancient Roman empire and it was also the language from which French, Portuguese, and Roman emerged. It is often described as a language very economical because you can express a lot with few words. To this day it is still very present in our language.
What are Latin words?
In this case we are not referring only to the Latin words themselves, which can be many. Actually These are those words that, being in this ancient language, are used as they are when we speak in Spanish.
Currently it is a language that is used to refer to laws, biblical scriptures or for the etymological analysis of words. However, there are terms or expressions that we use to describe an idea or situation. Below we will see the most frequent ones.
Commonly used Latin words or expressions, meaning and examples in sentences
Ad hoc: Used to indicate that something has been done on purpose or deliberately.
The council appointed an ad hoc specialist to analyze the case.
ad hominem: It means against man. It is used in rhetoric to designate an argument or fallacy ad hominemconsisting of insults or ridicule directed at a person to divert attention from the main issue.
Ad hominem attacks are the desperate resource of those who have no arguments to defend themselves.
Ad infinitum: “To infinity”. Describes something that tends to be infinite or has no known end.
We will continue ad infinitum until we reach our goals.
Diary:
It comes from the Latin agere what does it mean Act. In the Middle Ages it was the record of the day’s services in churches. Today is a resource to diagram future time and remember what we must do in an orderly manner.
By the way, I have a very busy schedule..
Alea iacta est: “The die is cast”. It is a phrase from Emperor Julius Caesar and he said it when he crossed the Rubicon River with his army, which started a civil war. It is used when a risk has been taken in a company, and there is no turning back.
Alea iacta est! We can’t do any more!
Alma mater: It is understood as a nurturing mother. It is used to refer to a university or house of study.
Harvard was the alma mater of many American leaders..
Alter ego: Literally it means the other self. It is used to designate a real or fictitious person with whom we identify.
The writer has his alter ego in the protagonist of his novel.
Love omnia vincit: It literally means love conquers all. It is used to say that a couple will overcome their differences for love.
They should talk about this because amor omnia vincit.
Bis:
It means two, double, second time or replica.
The public begged the artist for an encore.
Carpe Diem: It means to take advantage of or catch the day. It is used to emphasize the need to live meaningful experiences every day.
He decided that fulfilling carpe diem for the rest of his life.
casus belli: It means because of the war.
The attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 was the casus belli that marked the United States’ intervention in World War II.
Cave canem: “Beware of the Dog”. As is usually done today, in ancient Rome a sign with this expression and a painting of a dog was used to warn that there was a guard canine. The objective was to deter possible thieves or invaders on a property.
Circa: Refers to something that is around or close to something. It is used in historical documents when there are events that are not exactly known. It appears abbreviated with a c with a dot. Such is the case of the estimated date of birth of a character, for whom there are no historical records. For example:
Curriculum vitae: It translates as race of life. Curriculum or resume is also used. Currently, it designates a person’s studies and work experience, something that they present to a possible job or job to demonstrate their suitability.
Send your resume to the public relations department.
De facto: It means of fact, in practice, or in reality.
Latin America suffered a wave of de facto governments between the 1970s and 1980s.
Deficit:
Expresses the lack or scarcity of something. In the economy there is a deficit when expenses are greater than money income.
This month’s balance sheet of the company marked a deep deficit.
Delirium tremens: It is understood as delirium and trembling or tremendous hallucination. It is a disease suffered by those who are addicted to alcohol.
You are suffering from delirium tremens.
Deus vult: It refers to something that is “God’s will” or if “God wants it that way.”
Deus vult and soon I will leave this job.
Donec eris suspect multiple numerabis friends: It means as long as you do well you will have many friends. He expresses that in a moment of bliss there are people who approach out of interest, so it is better to recognize true friends.
Ergo:
It means therefore.
It’s already getting dark, so I have to go back to my house.
Etc:
It is used to designate others and everything else.
In the closet there were photos, frames, drawings, figures, paintings, etc (etcetera).
ex equo: It means under equal conditions.
For competition to be fair, it should be developed ex equo.
Glory in excelisis Deo: It translates as glory to God in the highest. It is a religious expression that expresses praise to God.
We have papam: When a new pontiff is elected in the Vatican, it is announced habemus papamafter seeing the presence of white smoke.
In extremis: It means in the last moments.
He arrived at the meeting in extremis, when they were about to issue a verdict.
In flagrante delicto: Means in the act of committing a crime.
The thief was caught in flagrante delicto, taking what was not his.
On site: Literally indicates that something happens on the site.
The criminal was caught in situ where a broken window was visible.
In vino veritas: It is interpreted as the truth is in the wine. When someone has too many drinks he can do and say a lot of stupid things. However, this also makes a person prone to telling the truth or revealing secrets.
He confessed in vino veritas to having hidden the jewels in the house.
Ipso facto: It means that something happens or is done immediately.
The judge told him that he had to present a statement ipso facto.
Mea culpa: It is an expression that indicates that something happened “because of my fault or because of my failures.”
The deputy intoned the mea culpa for his unfortunate statements.
Memento:
It means memory.
When I left the Rolling Stones concert I bought a t-shirt as a little memento of that day.
Per se: Expresses something that happens through itself.
It is such a good work that it will be successful per se.
Plus ultra / Non plus ultra: They mean beyond and not beyond. It is used to express when something has reached maximum precision and has not been surpassed. It has been the motto of Spain since 1516 and was used by King Charles I. The aim was to encourage sailors to ignore ancient Greek mythologies about the limit of the sea. They wanted these to be beyond either plus ultra.
The wine of the region is plus ultra. (There is nothing better)
Pro Bono: Refers to something that happens for the public good. It is used to indicate that one works on something without any payment, for altruistic purposes.
The lawyer accepts a couple of pro bono cases each year.
Quid pro quo: Indicates that something is given instead. It is used to designate an exchange of favors or benefits between two people.
The deal between firms turned out well since it was quid pro quo.
Semper fidelis: It translates as always faithful. Indicates honor and loyalty between individuals. It is the motto of the Marine Corps in the United States. It appears on his shield as Semper fi.
Status quo: It means in the state in which. It is used to describe the state of things existing at a certain time.
Privileged people will do anything to maintain the status quo..
Terra incognita: It is what is understood as unknown land.
Everything related to genetic engineering is fascinating but its results are for now a terra incognita.
Come, come, come: “I arrived, I saw and I conquered.” It is a phrase from Emperor Julius Caesar. It is used to designate joy around a victory, which has been achieved without too much effort.
Come, come, come! This was the triumph of the ruling party.
Vox populi: Expresses that something happens through the voice of the people. Its common use is to say that something is known by everyone.
The romance of the neighbors is already vox populi.