12 Easy Latin Expressions to Speak Like a True Roman

Want to begin speaking Latin? Start with these twelve essential words.

In today’s lesson, I’m introducing you to Spoken Latin 101: twelve easy, one-word expressions that will help you handle the basics of an everyday conversation in Latin.

I have brought them together in an epic Roman-inspired poster that you can download, print, and use for study. The lesson also includes an exclusive pronunciation guide.

With these expressions, you will learn how to:

• Greet someone with salvē and say goodbye with valē

• Apologize or ask pardon with ignōsce

• Say “please” with quaesō and “you’re welcome” with libenter

• Answer affirmatively with ita and negatively with minimē

• Say that something is going well with bene or badly with male

• React or ask for clarification with quid?

• Draw attention to someone or something with ecce!

These expressions are not modern classroom inventions. They are drawn from classical authors who preserve some of our clearest evidence for everyday spoken Latin: the comedies of Plautus and Terence, the satires of Horace and Juvenal, and Cicero’s more informal letters.

If you enjoy learning Latin as a living language and are ready to build a serious foundation through a structured online program taught by a PhD-trained Latin instructor, my complete beginner course is the best place to start:

→ Join Latin for Beginners: Lingua Latīna I

Don’t forget to explore our collection of T-shirts featuring designs inspired by ancient and medieval symbols, paired with powerful Latin sayings.

Ready to practise these expressions with friends and family—and sound like a true Roman?

Below you will find an exclusive pronunciation guide for paid subscribers, whose support keeps this publication alive.