Translate Latin to English
Latin text appears in academic papers, legal maxims, medical terminology, Catholic Church documents, university mottos, inscriptions on public buildings, and historical texts. While no one speaks Latin natively today, it remains widely read and studied. Paste your Latin text above for an English translation.
Common Latin to English translations
| Latin | English | Pronunciation | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salve | Hello | SAHL-veh | ||
| Bonum mane | Good morning | BOH-noom MAH-neh | ||
| Gratias tibi ago | Thank you | GRAH-tee-ahs TIH-bee AH-goh | ||
| Quaeso | Please | KWHY-soh | ||
| Quanti hoc constat? | How much is this? | KWAHN-tee hohk KOHN-staht | ||
| Ubi est latrina? | Where is the bathroom? | OO-bee ehst lah-TREE-nah | ||
| Non intellego | I do not understand | nohn in-TEL-leh-goh | ||
| Potesne me adiuvare? | Can you help me? | poh-TEHS-neh meh ahd-yoo-VAH-reh | ||
| Aquam velim | I would like water | AH-kwam VEH-leem | ||
| Rationem, quaeso | The bill, please | rah-tee-OH-nehm KWHY-soh | ||
| Gratum est te cognoscere | Nice to meet you | GRAH-toom ehst teh kohg-NOHS-keh-reh | ||
| Vale | Goodbye | VAH-leh | ||
| Medico mihi opus est | I need a doctor | MEH-dee-koh MEE-hee OH-poos ehst | ||
| Ignosce mihi | Excuse me | ig-NOHS-keh MEE-hee |
Tips for Latin to English translation
Latin texts can span 2,000+ years of history, and the language changed over that period. Classical Latin (Cicero, Caesar) differs from Late Latin (medieval), which differs from Neo-Latin (Renaissance and scientific). The translator handles Classical and standard forms best; highly archaic or specialized medieval texts may need expert review.
Latin abbreviations are everywhere in English: e.g. (exempli gratia = for example), i.e. (id est = that is), etc. (et cetera = and the rest), vs. (versus = against). The translator expands these to their full Latin forms if present in the source text.
Latin poetry follows strict meter (dactylic hexameter, elegiac couplet, etc.) that often forces unusual word order and archaic vocabulary. Translating poetry requires understanding both the literal meaning and the metrical constraints. Automated translators handle prose much better than verse.
Medieval Latin borrowed words from the local languages of scribes (French, Italian, German) and developed new vocabulary for concepts unknown to the Romans (Christianity, feudalism, university education). If a Latin word looks suspiciously modern, it may be a medieval or Neo-Latin coinage.
About the Latin language
Latin was the language of ancient Rome, spoken across the Roman Empire from Britain to North Africa to the Middle East. After the fall of the Western Empire in 476 AD, Latin continued as the language of the Catholic Church, scholarship, law, and diplomacy throughout the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance. The last new country to adopt Latin as an official language was Vatican City, which still uses it today.
All Romance languages (Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, Romanian) descended from Vulgar Latin, the colloquial spoken form. Classical Latin, as taught in schools and universities, represents the literary standard of the 1st century BC to 2nd century AD. Latin education remains common in European and American schools, and there is an active community of people who read, write, and even converse in Latin.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Unlimited.
Yes. Standard Classical forms work best.
Yes.
Standard forms work well. Highly specialized medieval vocabulary may need expert review.
Good for standard prose. Poetry and archaic texts may need human translation.
Ecclesiastical Latin texts are generally processed correctly, though some specialized religious vocabulary may need review.
Visit our English to Latin page.
No.
About 60% of English vocabulary derives from Latin, either directly or through French.
Over 60 pairs including Italian, Spanish, French, and more.
Looking for the reverse? Try English to Latin translation.
