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Latin Translation

Posted by R. Berg on November 09, 2001

In Reply to: Latin Translation posted by Bruce Kahl on November 09, 2001

: : : : Does anyone know how to translate "Break a Leg" into latin?

: : : Crurem adflictas.

: : : A note:
: : : Adflicto is Latin for "I break".
: : : Adflictas is Latin for "You break".
: : : Both are present tense.
: : : But your phrase is a future tense command and I am not 100% sure that adflictas is correct.
: : : I suggest you surf on over to www.latin.fsbusiness.co.uk/ to confirm my translation.

: : crus, cruris is neuter and hence the accusative singular is just 'crus' not 'crurem'.
: : frango, ere is a better verb for 'break'.
: : You are quite right - the phrase is a command of sorts, but the future is not used for this in Latin - you need either the imperative voice or a present subjunctive.

: : so either - 'crus frangeas' (present subjunctive I think - havent got a Primer with me)
: : or 'crus frange' (could be wrong there about imperative singular, plural would be 'frangite' perhaps)

: "Crus" is neuter, 3rd declension and you are correct--the accusative singular of "crus" is "crus"--very good.

: I do not agree with you on your choice of "frango".
: "Frango" suggests more of a shattering or a splintering or breaking into little pieces as in ice or pottery.

: "Adflicto" has more of a "damage" or "break" nuance to it. "Adflicto" could also mean "to injure" or "to weaken" which I think goes with the expression more than "frango".

: There is a verb "effringo" which has a "break open" sense to it as in making an omelette.

: ===============
: Bellaque matribus detestata.
: The war, hated by mothers.
: (Horace, Carmina)

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A leg CAN shatter rather than merely fracture. It happened to a friend of mine who had a bad fall.

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