Since Italian derives from Latin, it is important that you know the words and expressions used in Italian. In the language we speak today we still use many Latin expressions no matter how old-fashioned they may seem. As such, it should come as no surprise that many Latin words or even entire Latin phrases have become so naturalized in Italian that we use them in their entirety, without a second thought.
What are the words and expressions used in Italian? Here we made a short list, to satisfy your curiosity. Which ones are also used in English?
- A priori
Literally “form before”: Italians use it to express something known before any experience.
Ex. Se avessi saputo a priori che mi avrebbe lasciato, non le avrei fatto la proposta di matrimonio! (If I knew in advance she would have left me, I wouldn’t have proposed)
- A posteriori
This locution is the exact opposite of “a priori”. “A posteriori” indicates that something was achieved or acquired through experience.
Ex. A posteriori avrei fatto prima un safari in Africa. (Knowing it now, I would have done an African safari sooner)
- Ad hoc
“For this reason”. Ad hoc is used in Italian when something has been made especially for a certain circumstance. For instance, when an architect designs a project per request of their client, in Italian we say that it’s a project ad hoc.
- Bis
For sure one of the most known Latin words. Usually, we hear bis after a concert, to show appreciation for the execution. Italians will say “Bravo, bene, bis!” to ask for a second performance (bis literally means twice or two).
- Carpe diem
Is one of the most famous Lantin quotations. The first to use carpe diem was Oratio (Odi I, 11) and in Italian we can translate it as “cogli l’attimo” (grab each moment). It is considered to be the manifesto of the “Theory of pleasure”, a popular literary movement, and it’s an invitation to not let go of the opportunities life gives us.
- Curriculum vitae
There’s another Latin expression that we all have used at least once in our life as grown ups, and that’s Curriculum Vitae. Shortened in Curriculum or CV, is our résumé, the description of our work and education experiences. In the Italian language the most common version of this expression is CV or curricolo, directly in standard Italian.
Ex. Ho mandato il mio Curriculum Vitae ad un’importante azienda farmaceutica! (I sent my CV to a very famous pharmaceutical company!)
- Deficit
This Latin word expresses a loss, an insufficiency. In Italian, but also in other languages, we use it as an economic, medical or relational term. From deficit derives, in Italian, the word difetto (defect).
Ex. Il dottore mi ha detto che ho un deficit di calcio. (The doctor told me I have a deficiency in calcium)
- Eccetera
Often written as ecc.. or ect.. it is an adverb that in the extensive Latin form is expressed as et cetera (meaning “and other stories”). It is used to lengthen a concept and if reiterated it indicates “and so on”.
Ex. In questo zoo troverete elefanti, scimmie, tigri, eccetera. (In this zoo you will find elephants, monkeys, tigers, and so on.)
- Facsimile
Here’s a word that even the Latins could imagine the origin of: Facsimile (or fac-simile) derives from the Latin verb fac (to make) and simile (similar). It is used, figuratively, to express an exact copy of something or someone.
Ex. Se non sai scrivere una lettera formale, puoi copiare il fac-simile sul mio computer. (If you don’t know how to write a formal letter, you can copy the fac-simile on my computer)
- Gratis
The Latin form was “gratiis”; in Italian this word expresses something for free.
Ex. Mi hanno detto che questa mostra d’arte contemporanea si può visitare gratis. (They told me that we can visit this contemporary art exhibition for free)
- In primis
We can translate it as first of all, primarily, firstly. In Italian it is commonly used to stress a specific concept or to indicate the beginning of a list.
Ex. In primis volevo ringraziare tutti per essere venuti. (Firstly I wanted to thank you all for coming) .
- Lapsus
It comes from a Latin word meaning “to slip”. We use this word in Italian to express something that slipped from our mind, or something we let “slip out” (like a secret for example).
Fun fact: an example of lapsus that Freud talks about in his philosophy is about foreign words we often forget!
Ex. Ho avuto un lapsus freudiano! (I had a Freudian slip!)
- Pro bono
This expression refers to an activity that we do for free, or as a voluntary job. It is often related to the legal vocabulary or the medical one, since it’s common to take care of a lawsuit or a surgery pro bono, for people (or group of people) who can’t afford it.
Ex. Questo ospedale cura il labbro leporino pro bono. (This hospital offers pro bono surgery for the cleft lip)
- Qui pro quo
Italians use this expression when something goes wrong and there’s a misunderstanding. It seems that in the late Middle Age this expression was adopted by doctors and pharmacists to substitute or prescribe to sick people drugs with similar composition.
Ex. C’è stato un qui pro quo con la data di consegna. (There was a misunderstanding with the delivery date)
- Vademecum
Vademecum means literally “come with me”, but in Italian with this term we indicate a publication, a short manual or a small book you can consult easily… just like this one!
As you could see, in Italian we have many words and expressions we derive from Latin, that we still commonly use. It’s important to keep using them and preserve them, because they connect Italians with their past history and origins.
