Latin Words and Phrases
Updated February 21, 2017 | Factmonster Staff 
What's the language of scholars, doctors, lawyers, scientists, and priests? It's Latin, and it's not a dead language, as you can see. Here are some fun phrases and words in Latin.
| English | Latin | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| seize the day | carpe diem | car-pay dee-um |
| endlessly | ad nauseam | ad nawh-zee-um |
| unique | sui generis | soo-eye jen-ur-is |
| and so forth | et cetera | et set-ur-uh |
| silly me | me ineptum | may in-ep-toom |
| keepsake | memento | muh-men-toh |
| in reality | de facto | dih fak-toh |
| a common language | lingua franca | ling-gwuh frang-kuh |
| really | vero | we rr oh |
| with distinction | cum laude | koom lou-da |
| no way | nullo modo | noh-loh moh-doh |
| what's happening? | quid fit? | kwid feet |
| bubble gum | manducabulla | mahn-doo-kah-boo-lah |
| in or of itself | per se | pur say |
| really rad dude | radicus comes | rah di coos koh mees |
| read my lips | labra lege | lah-brah lay-gay |
| I'm out of here | abeo | ah bay-oh |
