Latin phrases such as carpe diem and status quo still turn up in speeches, legal papers and essays, long after Latin stopped being anyone's first language. English has also borrowed greetings and handy words from French, Arabic, Spanish, Italian, Hebrew and more, and they appear in travel chats, office emails and friendly texts every day.
This section explains what each phrase means word for word, what it means in use, and when it sounds natural or out of place. Pick a group below, or follow any link to the full page for examples and pronunciation.
Entry at a glance
What this section covers
Latin phrases, borrowed English words and everyday greetingsLanguages
Latin, French, German, Greek, Arabic, Hebrew, Spanish, Italian, SanskritBest for
Students, writers, travellers and anyone puzzled by a phrase in a messageMost searched
Carpe diem, habibi, inshallah, serendipity, deja vuTip
Learn the literal meaning first; it explains the modern use
Latin phrases with deep meaning
Some Latin phrases survive because they pack a whole outlook into two or three words. Carpe diem means seize the day, a push to act now rather than wait. Memento mori means remember that you will die, a reminder used in art and thought to keep life in proportion. Together they make a pair: one urges action, the other humility.
Other Latin words with deep meaning that readers often look for include amor fati (love of one's fate), tempus fugit (time flies) and per aspera ad astra (through hardships to the stars). They are popular as mottos because they sound weighty yet stay short.
Working Latin you meet in offices and papers
Not every Latin phrase is poetic. Many are practical shorthand, and getting them right makes your writing look careful.
| Phrase | Literal sense | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Status quo | The state in which | The way things are now |
| Vice versa | The position turned | The other way round |
| Et al. | And others | Listing authors in citations |
| Bona fide | In good faith | Genuine, real |
| Ad hoc | For this | Made for one purpose only |
A classic slip is mixing up e.g. (for example) and i.e. (that is). Use e.g. when you give samples from a larger set and i.e. when you restate exactly what you mean.
Words English borrowed and kept
Some foreign words were absorbed so fully that many people forget they were borrowed.
- Deja vu (French, already seen): the strange feeling that you have lived a moment before.
- In lieu (from French lieu, place): instead of, as in leave in lieu of overtime.
- Ersatz (German, replacement): a poor imitation of the real thing.
- Kudos (Greek, glory): praise for an achievement. It is singular in origin, though often treated as plural.
- Ditto (from an Italian word for said): the same again.
- Kismet (via Turkish from Arabic): fate or destiny.
- Bodega (Spanish): in American cities, a small corner shop.
Greetings and blessings from Arabic and Hebrew
Several of the most searched words here come from Arabic and are woven into daily speech by Muslims and by many Arabic speakers of any faith. Inshallah means if God wills, and is said about future plans. Mashallah roughly means God has willed it, and is said to admire something good without envy. Alhamdulillah is a phrase of thanks, roughly all praise to God. Habibi means my dear or my love, addressed to a man, with habibti used for a woman.
From Hebrew comes shalom, meaning peace, and used for both hello and goodbye. For more words with religious roots, visit the faith and belief section.
Hello, goodbye and terms of affection
Ciao is the friendly Italian hello and goodbye. It is thought to come from a Venetian phrase meaning your servant, a polite formula that slowly lost its humble sense. Namaste is a respectful greeting used across India and Nepal, usually said with palms pressed together. Mi amor is Spanish for my love, used with partners and sometimes with children.
Greetings carry tone. Ciao is casual, so it suits friends rather than a first email to a client. Namaste works in formal and informal settings alike.
Words about chance and feeling
Serendipity is the happy accident of finding something good when you were not looking for it. The word is an English coinage from the eighteenth century, built on Serendip, an old name for Sri Lanka. Sonder is a recent invention describing the sudden awareness that every passer by has a life as full as your own. It is widely shared online but not yet found in most standard references.
How to use borrowed phrases well
- Know the literal meaning so you do not use a phrase in the wrong mood.
- Check the register: et al. belongs in reports, habibi in warm chat.
- Respect religious greetings; use them sincerely, not as a joke.
- Keep Latin phrases rare in plain writing; one is stylish, five feel showy.
- Learn the sound: KAR-pay DEE-em, MEH-men-toh MOR-ee, chow for ciao.
For more general vocabulary, browse everyday vocabulary.
Frequently asked questions
What are some Latin phrases with deep meaning?
Carpe diem (seize the day), memento mori (remember you will die), amor fati (love your fate) and per aspera ad astra (through hardships to the stars) are among the best loved. Each sums up a way of seeing life in very few words.
Why does English still use Latin phrases?
Latin was the language of learning, law and the church in Europe for centuries. Many phrases became fixed terms in those fields, and they stayed because they are short and precise.
Should Latin phrases be written in italics?
Style guides differ. Very common ones like status quo, vice versa and et al. are usually written in normal type, while rarer phrases are often italicised. Follow the style your school or workplace uses.
Can non Muslims say inshallah or mashallah?
Many people of different backgrounds use them, especially in regions where Arabic is spoken. Said sincerely and in the right setting, they are generally received well. Using them mockingly would cause offence.
Is ciao formal or informal?
Ciao is informal. In Italy it is used with friends, family and people your own age, while more formal greetings are preferred with strangers or older people.
Is serendipity a foreign word?
No. It was made up in English, though it is based on an old name for Sri Lanka. It sits in this section because it is often grouped with borrowed words that describe feelings and chance.