Si fueris Romae, Romano vivito more
The Latin form of the proverb when in Rome is Si fueris Romae, Romano vivito more, meaning if you are in Rome, live in the Roman way.
The proverb advises you to follow the customs of the place you are in. In English it is usually cut short to when in Rome, and the rest is understood.
What does it mean word for word?
Si fueris Romae means if you are in Rome, and Romano vivito more means live in the Roman manner.
How does it change in a sentence?
Romae is an old locative form meaning in Rome. vivito is a future imperative, a command form meant for a time to come and Romano agrees with more, the word for custom or manner.
When do people say it?
The saying goes back to advice from Saint Ambrose, bishop of Milan, about whether to fast on Saturdays. Rome fasted on that day and Milan did not, and his answer was to follow the practice of the church where you are.
Did you know?
- The Latin word more is the root of the English word 'mores', which describes the essential customs and conventions of a community.
- The word si is an ancient relative of the English word 'so', sharing a root that originally meant 'in this' or 'thus'.
- The word Romae belongs to the locative case, a rare grammatical form in Latin used almost exclusively for names of cities, towns and small islands.
Examples in context
- Si fueris Romae, Romano vivito more, puer.When in Rome, live like a Roman, boy.
- Sicut dicitur, si fueris Romae, Romano vivito more.As they say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Example conversation
Gaius and Lucia are discussing how to behave during a visit to a new city.
- GaiusHabemusne novas leges sequendas in hoc loco?Do we have new laws to follow in this place?
- LuciaIta, sed si fueris Romae, Romano vivito more.Yes, but when in Rome, live according to Roman custom.
- GaiusTunc Lucia, ego moribus eorum servabo.Then Lucia, I will obey their customs.
- LuciaBene est, Gai.That is good, Gaius.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries si, CC BY-SA 4.0.
