alea iacta est
The English phrase 'the die is cast' is translated into Latin as alea iacta est.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a decision has been made that cannot be undone.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the following parts: alea means 'die', referring to the small cube used in gambling. iacta is the past participle of the verb iacio ('to throw' or 'to cast'). And est is the third-person singular form of the verb sum. Literally, the phrase means 'the die has been thrown'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word iacta is the feminine singular nominative form of the perfect passive participle of iacere ('to throw'). It agrees with the feminine noun alea.
When do people say it?
The phrase is famously attributed to Julius Caesar when he crossed the Rubicon river, signaling a point of no return in a civil war.
Did you know?
- The verb iactare or iacere is the distant ancestor of the English word 'inject', which also carries the sense of throwing or casting something into something else.
- The word alea was originally used to describe the 'pivot-bone' or 'joint-bone' of an animal, because these bones were used as the first dice.
- While the English phrase 'the die is cast' implies a fixed outcome, the Latin word alea also gives us the English word 'aleatory', which describes things that happen by random chance.
Examples in context
- Alea iacta est.The die is cast.This sentence demonstrates the use of alea iacta est.Tatoeba #369491 by MUIRIEL, translation #369696 by zipangu
- Alea iacta est!The die is cast!Tatoeba #8986993 by shekitten, translation #8969794 by AmarMecheri
- Nunc alea iacta est.Now the die is cast.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people discuss a permanent life decision.
- GaiusEgo hoc opus accipio.I accept this job.
- AureliaTua vita mutabitur.Your life will change.
- GaiusIta, alea iacta est.Yes, the die is cast.
- AureliaFortuna tibi faveat.May fortune favor you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alea, est, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
