Latin C2: Latin in law, science & everyday speech · Grammar

Latin phrases fill law, science and ordinary speech in many languages. Reading them as Latin explains them: status quo is “the state in which”, bona fide “in good faith” (ablative), curriculum vitae “the course of life” (genitive), habeas corpus “you shall have the body” (subjunctive). Others: ad hoc (for this), de facto (in fact), per se (in itself), alibi (elsewhere), in vitro (in glass), post scriptum (written after).

• ad hoc — for this purpose
• de facto — in fact, in practice
• per se — in itself
• status quo — the existing state of things
• bona fide — in good faith
• alibi — elsewhere
• in vitro — in glass, in the lab
• post scriptum — postscript

• Mutatis mutandis. — With the necessary changes.
• Pacta sunt servanda. — Agreements must be kept.
• In dubio pro reo. — When in doubt, for the accused.
• Nemo iudex in causa sua. — No one should judge their own case.