memento mori
The English phrase "remember you will die" is translated into Latin as memento mori.
The phrase memento mori is used as a philosophical reminder of human mortality and the fleeting nature of life, serving to remind people that death is inevitable.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing more than one person, the imperative changes from memento to mementote mori (remember you all will die).
Did you know?
- In Ancient Rome, a slave would whisper memento mori into the ear of a victorious general during a triumph parade to keep him from becoming too proud.
- The phrase is closely related to the word memento in English, which shifted from meaning 'a reminder' to specifically meaning 'a keepsake' or 'souvenir'.
- While memento mori is a reminder of death, the phrase memento vivere serves as its optimistic counterpart, meaning 'remember to live'.
Examples in context
- Memento mori, dum vivis.Remember you will die, while you live.
