Me paenitet
Me paenitet is the Latin way to say "i am sorry".
This phrase is used to apologize or express regret for a mistake or a sad situation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Me paenitet literally translates to "it pains me" or "it grieves me".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In medieval Latin, apologies sometimes included the phrase Pro peccato meo, meaning "On account of my sin".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses an accusative pronoun me because the verb paenitet takes the person who feels the regret as its direct object. To say you are sorry to do something, you follow the phrase with an infinitive.
Did you know?
- The word paenitet is related to the Latin word poena, meaning 'punishment' or 'penalty'.
- Ancient Romans frequently used the word ignosce from ignoscere to ask for forgiveness, which literally means 'to not know' or 'to overlook' the offense.
- The verb paenitet shares a root with the English word 'penitence' and 'penitent'.
Examples in context
- Me paenitet haec cognoscere.I am sorry to hear that.This sentence shows how to use Me paenitet to express regret about receiving information.Tatoeba #5875267 by alexmarcelo, translation #453527 by saasmath
- Me paenitet quod non adfui ad convivium.I am sorry I didn't attend the banquet.
- Me paenitet quod tardius veni.I am sorry that I came late.
- Me paenitet te vexasse.I am sorry for having annoyed you.
Example conversation
Aurelia accidentally knocks over a vase of Lucius.
- AureliaMe paenitet, Luci!I am sorry, Lucius!
- LuciusQuid fecisti, Aurelia?What have you done, Aurelia?
- AureliaVas fractum est.The vase is broken.
- LuciusNihil est, nōn cūrō.It is nothing, I don't mind.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
