Latin Translation

Posted by Alex on November 08, 2001

In Reply to: Latin Translation posted by Bruce Kahl on November 06, 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)