英語でよく使うラテン語リスト

　英語を勉強していると、たまにラテン語が使われていることってありますよね。Status quo とか、De facto とか。何となくふつうの英語と雰囲気が違うので、何だろう？とも思って調べて、「ラテン語なんだー」と学ぶことがよくありました。

　そんなわけで、気になっていた英語でよく使われるラテン語を集めてきて、リスト化してみました。ちょっとマニアックかもしれないので、語学が好きな方だけどうぞ。右のかっこの中が英語の意味とかです。

Ad hoc (=To this)
In Latin, ad hoc literally means to this, which has been adapted by English speakers as a saying that denotes that something is created or done for a particular purpose, as necessary. Usually, one does something on an ad hoc basis (e.g., she answered questions on an ad hoc basis).

Ad nauseam(: To the point of sickness)
This is used to say that someone or something is repeated too much — to the point that you're getting sick of it. For example, “the radio station played the number one song ad nauseam.”

Alibi（: Elsewhere)
The word alibi is a Latin phrase that simply means elsewhere, which will make sense to all you crime drama addicts out there who are familiar with the term as used by police, investigators, and other law enforcement professionals. Nowadays, alibi commonly refers to evidence that someone did not commit a (usually) criminal act because he or she was elsewhere at the time the act was committed.

Bona fide（: With good faith)
Another common Latin phrase, bona fide literally means with good faith. The meaning has changed somewhat in English usage to mean something that is real or genuine (e.g., she was a bona fide expert in the social structures of humpback whales).

Bonus(: Good)
Bonus, from the Latin adjective bonus, which means good, refers to any number of good things in its current English usage. Most often, bonus refers to an extra sum of money or reward from one’s employer for good performance, which of course is always a good thing.

Carpe diem(: Seize the day)
A common phrase with motivational speakers and go-getters, carpe diem is a Latin phrase that means seize the day, made popular by the Roman poet Horace. It is usually used to motivate others to make the most of the present and stop worrying about the future.
ちなみに、Carpe diemはわたしの好きな映画であるDead Poets Society で物語の大事なキーワードになってくる。結構有名な言葉。

Caveat emptor(: Let the buyer beware)
This warning is so important that it's common to hear it in both English and Latin. It encourages people to think before they buy something, because they will inherit any problems or expenses with their purchase.
Cum laude: With honor
This is often added to diplomas to indicate that a graduate has earned honors by getting good grades along the way. "Summa cum laude" is even better, with the highest honors.

De Facto(: In fact)
De facto is a Latin phrase that, literally translated, means of fact. Nowadays, it is used to highlight something that is simply a fact or someone who holds a position, with or without the right to do so (e.g., she was the de facto leader of the book club).

E pluribus unum(: Out of many, one)
This is the motto of the United States and is seen printed on its currency. It refers to the fact that many states were brought together under one government with the country's constitution.

 E.g.(: For example)
Commonly confused with the similar Latin term i.e., e.g. stands for the Latin phrase exempli gratia, meaning for the sake of example. In English, it is used to introduce a list of examples in place of the phrase such as.

Ego(: I)
A popular term in psychology, ego in fact began as the Latin equivalent of the first person pronoun, I, which makes sense when considering its modern meaning, which refers to an individual’s sense of self-worth or self-esteem.

Ergo(: Therefore)
Ergo, an adverb meaning therefore, is one Latin phrase that has maintained its meaning exactly in English usage.

Et cetera(: And so on)
Used at the end of a list to indicate that further items could be included, et cetera (or etc.) literally translates to and the rest

et al. (= and others)
et (conj.) = and
alii (pron.), plural of alius = others
And others.

Extra(: In addition to)
A common English adjective and prefix, extra is a Latin preposition that means outside or in addition. In English, extra is an adjective, adverb, or prefix that means additional, in addition, or to a greater extent

 I.e.(: That is)
Sometimes mistaken for the similar abbreviation e.g., i.e. stands for the Latin phrase id est, which literally translates to that is. It is most often used to add information that states something in different words or to give a more specific example: Most of the puppies (i.e., four of the six) found homes over the weekend.

Impromptu(: Spontaneous)
From the Latin phrase in promptu, meaning in readiness, impromptu is a common English adjective or adverb that describes something spontaneous (e.g., she threw an impromptu birthday party for her best friend).

Intro(: Within)
Originally the first-person present indicative form of the Latin verb intro, meaning to enter, intro in English usage has become a prefix or informal noun that describes the beginning of something (i.e., an introduction).

Ipso facto(: By the fact itself)
This often misused term denotes when something is true by its very nature, or a direct result of an action. For example, if you didn’t stop your friend from stealing you are ipso facto an accomplice.

Multi(: Many)
Multi is the plural form of the Latin adjective multus, meaning many. In English, it is used as a prefix to describe something that contains more than one of something else (e.g., multicolored, multifaceted, multicultural, etc.).

Mea culpa(: Through my own fault)
This is Latin for "my bad," a short phrase to accept blame and apologize for something going wrong.

Per se(: In itself)
Meaning by, of, for, or in itself in Latin, per se is a common phrase used to emphasize the importance or connection of something (e.g., it was not the book per se that was important, but the message the author tried to get across).

Per diem(: For each day)
This phrase is used in legal and accounting business to refer to payment rendered on a daily basis rather than as an annual salary or hourly rate. For example, if a nurse works on a per diem basis, she is paid by the day and does not have a long-term contract.

Pro bono (publico)(: For the good (of the public))
Pro bono indicates that something is being done without payment or reimbursement. The phrase is often applied when lawyers provide legal services for little or no money, though its use is not exclusive to the legal profession.

Pro forma(: As a matter of form)
This phrase refers to doing things in the proper way, typically by following all the steps — even when these steps may not be necessary. It's a fancy way of saying you'll go through the motions.

Quid pro quo(: Something for something)
A contrasting philosophy to pro bono is quid pro quo. It is an “eye-for-an-eye” type of saying that is used in English to signify a favor or advantage given in return for something of equal value. A popular saying with vindictive villains, quid pro quo literally means something for something.

Re(: About)
You probably use this Latin preposition every day without really understanding its meaning. Re simply means about, and in modern times, we see it used most often in responses to emails and in other correspondence to refer to an earlier topic of discussion.

Rigor mortis(: The stiffness of death)
This is a medical term that describes what happens to a body several hours after death — it stiffens to the point of being unable to move. Muscles harden due to a build-up of substances in the body as decay sets in.

Semi(: Half)
A prefix borrowed from Latin, semi translates to half. When used in English, it indicates that something is incomplete or partially finished (e.g., semidetached, semiautomatic, semi-final, etc.).

Status quo(: Existing state of affairs)
This straight-up Latin phrase literally translates to the state in which and is used in English to describe an existing state of affairs, usually related to political or social issues.

Verbatim(: In exactly the same words)
Derived from the Latin verbum, which simply means word, verbatim refers to repeating something word-for-word from the original.

Versus(: Against)
This common Latin phrase was originally a preposition meaning against or toward. In English, versus is used to signify opposing forces or oppositions and contrasts.

Vice versa(: The other way around)
Vice versa is a Latin phrase that literally means in a turned position. In English, it is commonly used to indicate that two things are interchangeable.

まとめ

　日本語でもふつうに使っているプロボノが実はラテン語からきていることがわかったり、論文書くときには何度も使うet al. がラテン語であることを初めて知ったり、なんだか個人的には面白いと思うことが多かったです。

　特にラテン語は英語などにも少しずつ影響を与えていたり、深めていくと楽しいことがあると思うので（哲学とかにも近しいものがありそう）、今後も少しずつかじって行けたらよいなと思いました。