How to Say “God Bless” in Latin

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Deus te benedicat
The English phrase "God bless" is translated into Latin as Deus te benedicat.
This phrase is a short prayer or wish for God to grant protection or favor to another person.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of Deus (God), te (you, singular/informal) and benedicat (may he bless).

Which one should you use?

Deus te benedicat is used for a single person you are on familiar terms with. If you are addressing a group of people, use Deus vos benedicat.

How does it change in a sentence?

The verb benedicat is in the present subjunctive mood, which is used here to express a wish or a prayer. To address more than one person, the pronoun te is replaced with vos in the phrase Deus vos benedicat.

Did you know?

  • While Deus refers to 'god', its distant linguistic relative in Persian, 'div', actually means 'demon'.
  • While benedicat means 'bless', the Latin root bene (well) and dicere (to speak) literally means 'to speak well' of someone.

Examples in context

  • Deus benedicat vos omnes
    May God bless you all
  • Deus te benedicat! Vale!
    God bless you! Farewell!
  • Benedicat tibi Deus, carissime!
    May God bless you, my dearest!
  • Deus te benedicat et custodiat.
    God bless and protect you.

Example conversation

Marcus is leaving for a long journey and says goodbye to Claudia.

  1. Claudia

    Vade in pace, Marce.
    Go in peace, Marcus.
  2. Marcus

    Gratias tibi ago, Claudia.
    I thank you, Claudia.
  3. Claudia

    Deus te benedicat.
    God bless you.
  4. Marcus

    Et tibi.
    And you.

Sources

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Clifford Shawn
Clifford ShawnHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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