salve amice
The English phrase "hello my friend" is translated into Latin as salve amice.
salve amice is a friendly greeting used to say hello to a person you know well.
What does it mean word for word?
The word salve is an imperative form of salvere, which literally means "be well". The word amice is the vocative singular form of amicus, meaning "friend".
Which one should you use?
salve amice is the singular form, used when addressing exactly one person. If you are addressing a group of friends, use the plural form salvete amici.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the singular form to address one person. In the singular, amice is the vocative form of amicus. When addressing multiple people, the words change to the plural salvete amici.
Did you know?
- The word salve is the root of the English word 'salve', referring to a healing ointment, because both relate to the idea of health and well-being.
- The word salve was sometimes used as a parting wish, similar to 'farewell', though it more commonly served as a greeting upon arrival.
- The transition from amice to 'amicable' shows how the Latin concept of a 'friend' evolved into a description of a person's temperament in English.
Examples in context
- Salve, amice mi!Hello, my friend
- Salve, amice!Hello, friend
- Salve, amice David!Hello, my friend David!
- Salve amice, quomodo te habes?Hello my friend, how are you?
- Salve amice, ad forum venisti.Hello my friend, you have come to the forum.
- Salve amice, sed tardus es.Hello my friend, but you are late.
Example conversation
Lucia meets Marcus in a sunny street in Rome.
- LuciaSalve, amice Marce!Hello, my friend Marcus!
- MarcusSalve, Lucia! Quid agis?Hello, Lucia! How are you doing?
- LuciaBene sum, gratias tibi.I am well, thank you.
- MarcusOptime! Eamus ad templum.Excellent! Let us go to the temple.
