List of Latin phrases (N) facts for kids

Latin Phrases Starting with 'N'

Have you ever heard someone say a cool phrase in Latin and wondered what it meant? Latin is an ancient language that was spoken by the Romans. Even though it's not spoken much today, many Latin phrases are still used in books, movies, and even everyday conversations! These phrases often share wise ideas, historical moments, or important rules.

Let's explore some interesting Latin phrases that start with the letter 'N'.

Nature and Wisdom

Nature's Ways

• Natura abhorret a vacuo
  • Meaning: Nature hates a vacuum.
  • What it means: This old idea was used to explain why liquids would go up a tube to fill an empty space. People thought nature just didn't like empty spaces! Later, we learned it's actually because of atmospheric pressure (the air pushing down on things).

• Natura artis magistra
  • Meaning: Nature is the teacher of art.
  • What it means: This phrase suggests that we can learn a lot about creating beautiful things by observing the natural world around us. It's also the name of a famous zoo in Amsterdam, called "Artis."

• Natura nihil frustra facit
  • Meaning: Nature does nothing in vain.
  • What it means: This idea, shared by thinkers like Aristotle, means that everything in nature has a purpose. Nothing is created without a reason.

• Natura non facit saltus
  • Meaning: Nature makes no leaps.
  • What it means: This famous saying from Carl Linnaeus, a scientist who studied plants, means that living things change gradually over time. One type of species slowly connects to the next, without sudden jumps.

• Natura valde simplex est et sibi consona
  • Meaning: Nature is very simple and in harmony with itself.
  • What it means: Isaac Newton, a famous scientist, said this. It means that the rules of nature are simple and work together perfectly. This idea is a basic part of modern science.

• Naturam expellas furca, tamen usque recurret
  • Meaning: You may drive out Nature with a pitchfork, yet she still will hurry back.
  • What it means: This quote from Horace means that you can't really change the basic nature of something. Even if you try to force it away, its true nature will always return.

Learning and Understanding

• Ne te quaesiveris extra
  • Meaning: Do not seek outside yourself.
  • What it means: This phrase encourages you to look within yourself for answers and strength, rather than always depending on others.

• Nemo nisi per amicitiam cognoscitur
  • Meaning: No one learns except by friendship.
  • What it means: This suggests that to truly understand a subject, you need to have a positive connection with it, almost like a friendship. When you like something, you're more likely to learn it well.

• Non in legendo sed in intelligendo leges consistunt
  • Meaning: The laws depend not on being read, but on being understood.
  • What it means: This means that just reading rules or laws isn't enough; you need to truly understand what they mean and how they apply.

• Non multa sed multum
  • Meaning: Not quantity but quality.
  • What it means: This motto reminds us that it's better to have a small amount of something excellent than a large amount of something not so good. Quality is more important than quantity.

• Non scholae sed vitae
  • Meaning: We learn not for school but for life.
  • What it means: This is a popular school motto. It means that the purpose of education is to prepare you for life, not just to pass tests or get good grades in school.

• Nosce te ipsum
  • Meaning: Know thyself.
  • What it means: This famous saying, found at the Temple of Apollo in ancient Greece, encourages people to understand their own character, strengths, and weaknesses.

• Nulla dies sine linea
  • Meaning: Not a day without a line drawn.
  • What it means: An ancient Greek artist named Apelles used this phrase. It means you should practice your skills every single day to get better.

Life and Challenges

Facing Life's Journey

• Nascentes morimur finisque ab origine pendet
  • Meaning: As we are born we die, and our end hangs from our beginning.
  • What it means: This deep thought suggests that from the moment we are born, our life's journey begins, and our end is connected to our start.

• Navigare necesse est, vivere non est necesse
  • Meaning: To sail is necessary; to live is not necessary.
  • What it means: This was said by a Roman general named Pompey during a storm. He meant that sometimes, you have to do what's important, even if it's risky. The mission was more important than his own comfort.

• Necessitas etiam timidos fortes facit
  • Meaning: Need makes even the timid brave.
  • What it means: When you really need to do something, even someone who is usually shy or scared can find the courage to be brave.

• Nil desperandum
  • Meaning: Nothing must be despaired at.
  • What it means: This means "never give up!" or "never despair!" No matter how tough things get, don't lose hope.

• Nil mortalibus ardui est
  • Meaning: Nothing is impossible for humankind.
  • What it means: This inspiring phrase from Horace means that humans can achieve anything if they set their minds to it.

• Non omnis moriar
  • Meaning: I shall not all die.
  • What it means: This quote from Horace expresses the idea that a part of you, like your legacy or your work, will live on even after you are gone.

• Non progredi est regredi
  • Meaning: To not go forward is to go backward.
  • What it means: This means that if you're not moving forward and improving, you're actually falling behind. It encourages continuous progress.

• Nunc aut nunquam
  • Meaning: Now or never.
  • What it means: This phrase means that if you want to do something, you should do it right away, because you might not get another chance.

• Nunc est bibendum
  • Meaning: Now is the time to drink.
  • What it means: This phrase from Horace is about enjoying the moment. It's like saying "let's celebrate now!" The famous Michelin Man is even named "Bibendum" after this phrase.

Dealing with Difficulties

• Nec aspera terrent
  • Meaning: They are not terrified of the rough things.
  • What it means: This motto means "they are not afraid of difficulties." It's about being brave and not letting challenges scare you.

• Nec spe, nec metu
  • Meaning: Without hope, without fear.
  • What it means: This phrase describes a state of mind where you act without being driven by either too much hope or too much fear. You just do what needs to be done.

• Nemo mortalium omnibus horis sapit
  • Meaning: No mortal is wise at all times.
  • What it means: This means that even the smartest people can make mistakes sometimes. Everyone has moments when they are not at their wisest.

• Non timebo mala
  • Meaning: I will fear no evil.
  • What it means: This phrase expresses courage and a lack of fear in the face of bad things, possibly from a religious text.

• Nunquam non paratus
  • Meaning: Never unprepared, ever ready, always ready.
  • What it means: This motto means to always be prepared for anything. It's about being ready for challenges and opportunities.

• Nunquam obliviscar
  • Meaning: Never forget.
  • What it means: This phrase is used to say that something important should always be remembered.

Rules and Principles

Fairness and Law

• Nasciturus pro iam nato habetur, quotiens de commodis eius agitur
  • Meaning: The unborn is deemed to have been born to the extent that his own inheritance is concerned.
  • What it means: This is a legal idea. It means that sometimes, an unborn child is treated as if they are already born when it comes to things like receiving an inheritance.

• Nemo est supra legem
  • Meaning: Nobody is above the law.
  • What it means: This is a very important principle. It means that everyone, no matter how powerful, must follow the rules and laws.

• Nemo iudex in causa sua
  • Meaning: No man shall be a judge in his own cause.
  • What it means: This is a legal rule. It means that someone cannot be a judge in a case where they have a personal interest or might be unfair.

• Nemo tenetur se ipsum accusare
  • Meaning: No one is bound to accuse himself.
  • What it means: This is a legal right, often called the "right to silence." It means you don't have to say things that would get you into trouble or help someone prove you did something wrong.

• Non bis in idem
  • Meaning: Not twice in the same thing.
  • What it means: This legal principle means you cannot be tried or punished for the same crime twice. It's about preventing double jeopardy.

• Non est princeps super leges, sed leges supra principem
  • Meaning: The prince is not above the laws, but the law is above the prince.
  • What it means: This powerful statement means that even leaders and rulers must follow the law. The law is more important than any single person.

• Nulla poena sine lege
  • Meaning: No penalty without a law.
  • What it means: This legal rule means that you can't be punished for something unless there was a law against it at the time you did it. Laws can't be made up after the fact to punish someone.

• Nullius in verba
  • Meaning: On the word of no man.
  • What it means: This is the motto of the Royal Society, a group of scientists. It means that scientists should not just believe what others say, but should test things themselves and rely on facts and experiments.

Other Important Ideas

• Ne plus ultra
  • Meaning: Nothing more beyond.
  • What it means: This phrase describes the absolute best or most extreme point of something. For example, the Pillars of Hercules were once thought to be the end of the known world, the "nothing more beyond."

• Nil satis nisi optimum
  • Meaning: Nothing is enough unless it is the best.
  • What it means: This motto means that only the very best is good enough. It encourages striving for excellence.

• Nil sine numine
  • Meaning: Nothing without the divine will.
  • What it means: This is the state motto of Colorado. It means that nothing happens without a higher power or purpose guiding it.

• Nisi Dominus frustra
  • Meaning: If not the Lord, it is in vain.
  • What it means: This motto, often used by churches, means that everything you do is pointless without the help or blessing of God.

• Nolens volens
  • Meaning: Unwilling, willing.
  • What it means: This means "whether you want to or not," or "willingly or unwillingly." It describes something that happens regardless of your preference.

• Nomen est omen
  • Meaning: The name is a sign.
  • What it means: This means that a person's name often seems to fit their character or destiny. For example, if someone named "Joy" is always happy.

• Non compos mentis
  • Meaning: Not in control of the mind.
  • What it means: This legal term means someone is not mentally capable of making decisions or understanding their actions.

• Non sequitur
  • Meaning: It does not follow.
  • What it means: In everyday talk, this is a comment that doesn't make sense in a conversation. In logic, it's a conclusion that doesn't logically come from the information given.

• Novus ordo seclorum
  • Meaning: New order of the ages.
  • What it means: This phrase is on the Great Seal of the United States. It refers to the start of a new era or a new way of doing things.

Images for kids

• Cordial de l'ànima. La Mort.jpg

  Death reminding mankind we all have the same fate

• Nobistor Altona 1880.jpg

  The old gatepost that divided Altona and St. Pauli