What Does Carpe Diem Mean In Latin

Carpe translates literally as pluck with particular reference to the picking of fruit so a more accurate rendition is enjoy the day pluck the day when.

What does carpe diem mean in latin.

However the more pedantic of latin scholars may very well seize you by the throat if you suggest that translation. Enjoy the present as opposed to placing all hope in the future. Pluck the day or seize the day phrase used by the roman poet horace to express the idea that one should enjoy life while one can. Carpe is the second person singular present active imperative of carpō pick or pluck used by horace to mean enjoy seize.

Carpe diem is a latin aphorism usually though questionably translated seize the day taken from book 1 of the roman poet horace s work odes 23 bc. Carpe diem definition seize the day. Carpe diem definition is the enjoyment of the pleasures of the moment without concern for the future. Carpe diem is part of horace s injunction carpe diem quam minimum credula postero which appears in his odes i 11 published in 23 bce it can be translated literally as pluck the day trusting as little as possible in.