How to Say “Prepare for War” in Latin

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para bellum
The Latin phrase for "prepare for war" is para bellum.
This phrase means to get ready for a military conflict. It is most famously recognized as part of the proverb Si vis pacem, para bellum, which suggests that having a strong military capability serves as a deterrent to war.

What does it mean word for word?

The word para is the second-person singular imperative form of the verb parare, meaning "prepare" or "get ready".

How does it change in a sentence?

If you are addressing more than one person to command them to prepare for war, you use the plural imperative parate instead of para.

Did you know?

  • The phrase para bellum is the namesake for the 9mm Parabellum, one of the most widely used handgun cartridges in the world.
  • Latin has two words that look nearly identical but have opposite meanings: bellum means 'war' while bellus means 'pretty' or 'handsome'.
  • The Latin word bellum for 'war' is a distant relative of the word bonus for 'good'. Both evolved from older forms of the language through a specific pattern of vowel and consonant changes.

Examples in context

  • Si vis pacem para bellum.
    If you wish peace, prepare for war.
    This sentence shows the phrase used within a proverb regarding the desire for peace.
    Tatoeba #2313871 by MrShoval, translation #2313898 by MrShoval
  • Si vis pacem, para bellum.
    If you wish for peace, prepare for war.
    Tatoeba #432491 by Clavain, translation #432507 by jerom
  • Milites se parant ad bellum.
    The soldiers are preparing themselves for war.
  • Populus bellum sibi parat.
    The people are preparing themselves for war.
  • Caesar exercitum ad pugnam praeparavit.
    Caesar prepared the army for battle.
  • Gens barbarica in bellum se parat.
    The barbarian tribe prepares for war.
  • Nunc para bellum, nam hostes veniunt.
    Now prepare for war, because the enemies are coming.
  • 2 more sentences on Tatoeba

Example conversation

Two generals are discussing their strategy.

  1. Aurelia

    Hostes veniunt, Gai.
    The enemies are coming, Gaius.
  2. Gaius

    Ita est, Aurelia.
    It is so, Aurelia.
  3. Aurelia

    clockwise para bellum!
    Prepare for war!
  4. Gaius

    Exercitus paratus est.
    The army is ready.

Sources

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Chester Leonard
Chester LeonardHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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