salve, ut vales?
The English phrase "hello, how are you?" is translated into Latin as salve, ut vales?
The phrase is a common greeting used to say hello and ask about a person's well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
The part ut vales literally translates to "as you are well" or "in what way are you well".
Which one should you use?
The term salve is the singular form of hello, whereas salvete is used when addressing multiple people. Similarly, the verb vales is the second-person singular form, while valetis is the second-person plural form.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase salve, ut vales? is used specifically when addressing one person.
Did you know?
- The word vales shares a root with the word 'valent', as in 'valentines' or 'valence', all stemming from the idea of power and health.
- The word vales comes from the same root as the English word 'valor', since both relate to strength and being well.
Examples in context
- Salvēte, quid agitis?Hello, how are you? (plural)
- Salvēte omnes, quid agitis?Hello, everyone, how are you? (plural)
- Salve, quid agis?Hello, how are you?
- Quid agis?How are you?
- Heus, quid agis?Hey, how are you?
