Ave Maria
[ˈa.weː maˈriː.a]
The English phrase "hail mary" is translated into Latin as Ave Maria.
Ave Maria refers to the Hail Mary prayer. In some regional variations, the phrase Intercede pro nobis peccatoribus (Intercede for us sinners) can be added to the end of the prayer. Additionally, in some communities, the form Iesu may be used instead of Iesus when referring to Jesus.
Meaning: prayer (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word Ave is a greeting meaning "hail" or "farewell", and Maria is the Latin form of Mary.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Ave Maria is the standard formal title for the prayer used in liturgical and ecclesiastical contexts.
Did you know?
- The structure of Ave Maria follows the tradition of the 'imperial greeting', where Roman citizens would hail an emperor with a similar formula.
- The word Ave is not originally Latin but was borrowed from Punic, a language spoken in ancient Carthage, where it meant 'live!'
Examples in context
- Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
- Ave Maria est oratio sancta.Ave Maria is a holy prayer.
- In hoc loco Ave Maria recitamus.In this place, we recite the Ave Maria.
Example conversation
Quintus and Lucia are visiting a church.
- QuintusScisne Ave Maria?Do you know the Hail Mary?
- LuciaIta, eam cotidie oro.Yes, I pray it every day.
- QuintusOremus Ave Maria simul.Let us pray the Hail Mary together.
- LuciaOptimum consilium est, Quinte.That is a wonderful idea, Quintus.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hail mary” translations and entries Ave Maria, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Ave Maria, Maria, ave, CC BY-SA 4.0.
