salve, quid agis?
The English phrase 'hi, how are you?' is translated into Latin as salve, quid agis?
This phrase is a common way to say hello and ask about someone's well-being. The word salve means 'hello' or 'be well', while the question quid agis? is used idiomatically to mean 'how are you?' instead of its literal meaning.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase quid agis? literally translates to 'what are you doing?', where quid means 'what'.
Which one should you use?
You can also greet with ave, quid agis? Or ask quomodo vales? ('how are you keeping?')…
How does it change in a sentence?
The form salve, quid agis? is the singular form used when addressing one person. If you are addressing a group of multiple people, you must change the forms to salvete, quid agitis?
When do people say it?
When someone asks you quid agis? , a common answer is bene valeo , which means 'I am well.' To greet a whole group, say salvete omnes ('greetings, everyone').
Did you know?
- While salve is a general greeting, ave was often used to show a higher level of respect or formality, such as when addressing an emperor.
- The greeting salve is the ancestor of many English words related to health and safety, such as 'salutary' or 'salvation'.
- The greeting salve comes from the verb salvere, which means 'to be in good health'. When you say 'hello' in Latin, you are actually commanding the other person to 'be well'.
Examples in context
- Salve, magister. Quomodo vales?Hello, teacher. How are you?
- Salve, quid agis?Hi, how are you?
