How Much Do You Know About Latin Words and Idioms? Take Our Quiz To See If You Can Veni, Vidi, Vici

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There is still no consensus among historians and linguists whether Latin is a dead language. Some say that it is because nobody speaks it as their first language anymore. Others claim that Latin went on living as Spanish, Italian or other languages it directly influenced. 

If you ask us, Latin is as alive as ever. In fact, many people still use Latin words and phrases on an everyday basis. If you've ever used "ad hoc" or "alma mater" in a casual conversation — good job, you helped keep Latin alive. 

With its influence on our language, arts and culture, Latin might never truly die. So give it the respect it deserves and test your knowledge of Latin words and phrases with our quiz!


Vasilii Kulev is a digital marketing specialist during business hours and a trivia writer in his spare time. His areas of interest range from cars and music to science, history, and food. Whenever he's not busy writing quizzes, you can catch him at the local used records store or the newest craft beer bar. He also wrote this entire bio himself in third person.

Latin Words and Idioms Quiz Questions

20 Questions · 53 Plays · No comments

Question 1

What Latin term is used in diplomacy to refer to an unwelcomed individual in a foreign country?

  • A
    Status quo
  • B
    Casus belli
  • C
    Persona non grata
  • D
    Pro forma

Question 2

The Latin term bona fides is an important term in both law and business. What does it mean?

  • A
    Good faith
  • B
    Good day
  • C
    Goodbye
  • D
    Good and bad

Question 3

What Latin phrase refers to professional labor performed without compensation or pay?

  • A
    Cui bono
  • B
    De novo
  • C
    De jure
  • D
    Pro bono

Question 4

What Latin term is used to refer to the college or educational institution that someone once attended?

  • A
    Caveat emptor
  • B
    Cum laude
  • C
    Ad meliora
  • D
    Alma mater

Question 5

In vitro studies are conducted on microbes, cells, or biological molecules that have been isolated from their natural environment. What does the term "in vitro" mean in English?

  • A
    "In the glass"
  • B
    "Of life"
  • C
    "Alive and well"
  • D
    "Unnatural"

Question 6

Taken from Book 1 of Horace's book Odes, what Latin aphorism translates to "seize the day?"

  • A
    Carpe diem
  • B
    Cogito ergo sum
  • C
    Ad hominen tu quoque
  • D
    Ad verecundiam

Question 7

What Latin term is sometimes used to describe the third stage of death?

  • A
    Gluteus maximus
  • B
    Virile
  • C
    Corpus
  • D
    Rigor mortis

Question 8

What Latin term is derived from the Confiteor, a prayer of confession that translates as "through my fault?"

  • A
    Mea Culpa
  • B
    Deus Revelatus
  • C
    Actus Purus
  • D
    Sensus Divinitas

Question 9

What Latin term is used to refer to sound and fast decisions that are the result of intellect and intuition?

  • A
    Dolor
  • B
    Acumen
  • C
    Captiosus
  • D
    Liguritio

Question 10

A curriculum vitae is a brief written overview of a person's career, credentials, and education. What does it translate to in English?

  • A
    "Long journey"
  • B
    "Path forward"
  • C
    "Career and education"
  • D
    "Course of life"

Question 11

Famously uttered by Julius Caesar, what Latin phrase alludes to a decisive win that occurs quickly?

  • A
    "Veni, vidi, vici"
  • B
    "Dum spiro spero"
  • C
    "Docendo discimus"
  • D
    "Natura nihil frustra facit"

Question 12

What Latin word translates to "with praise" and indicates a high academic performance level?

  • A
    Salutatorian
  • B
    Honoris causa
  • C
    Cum laude
  • D
    Valedictorian

Question 13

What Latin phrase is used in English to refer to the majority of the people?

  • A
    Innuendo
  • B
    Civitas
  • C
    Vox populi
  • D
    Pontifex maximus

Question 14

Which of these Latin phrases literally means "to this" in English and refers to a solution tailored to a particular goal or issue?

  • A
    Ab absurdo
  • B
    A contrario
  • C
    Ad hoc
  • D
    A priori

Question 15

What Latin phrase is a symbolic reminder of death's inevitability?

  • A
    "Requiescat in pace"
  • B
    "Verba volant, sed scripta manent"
  • C
    "Memento mori"
  • D
    "Veni, vidi, vici"

Question 16

Translated as "I think, therefore I am," what Latin philosophical statement has long been associated with Rene Descartes?

  • A
    Non ducor, duco
  • B
    Vincit qui se vincit
  • C
    Sic semper tyrannis
  • D
    Cogito ergo sum

Question 17

What Latin phrase is used to refer to a narrative technique in which an apparently insoluble issue is unexpectedly resolved by an unforeseen and improbable event?

  • A
    Auditus maximus
  • B
    Cavea
  • C
    Episkenion
  • D
    Deus ex machina

Question 18

What Latin term is sometimes used in psychoanalysis to refer to the part of the psyche that meditates between the inner self and reality?

  • A
    Id
  • B
    Frustra
  • C
    Superego
  • D
    Ego

Question 19

What is the Latin term for the theory that people are born without pre-existing mental content and that all knowledge must be acquired via experience or observation?

  • A
    De facto
  • B
    Ex nihilo nihil fit
  • C
    Tabula rasa
  • D
    Causa sui

Question 20

An alibi is a common defense used during a criminal trial when the accused suggests they were in a different location when the crime was committed. But what is the Latin word's literal translation in English?

  • A
    "In other respects"
  • B
    "At another place"
  • C
    "Otherwise"
  • D
    "Excuse"

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