“Oh no!” in Latin












18















Are there idiomatic Latin exclamations similar to the English "oh no!" used when one finds oneself in an unfortunate situation?



The only thing that I came up with is that I might want to use vae or o one way or another, but I couldn't find anything natural and concise.
O me miserum feels too long, but perhaps Latin has no shorter options.
A short curse like malum! is an option, but the tone is different from "oh no!".










share|improve this question



























    18















    Are there idiomatic Latin exclamations similar to the English "oh no!" used when one finds oneself in an unfortunate situation?



    The only thing that I came up with is that I might want to use vae or o one way or another, but I couldn't find anything natural and concise.
    O me miserum feels too long, but perhaps Latin has no shorter options.
    A short curse like malum! is an option, but the tone is different from "oh no!".










    share|improve this question

























      18












      18








      18


      4






      Are there idiomatic Latin exclamations similar to the English "oh no!" used when one finds oneself in an unfortunate situation?



      The only thing that I came up with is that I might want to use vae or o one way or another, but I couldn't find anything natural and concise.
      O me miserum feels too long, but perhaps Latin has no shorter options.
      A short curse like malum! is an option, but the tone is different from "oh no!".










      share|improve this question














      Are there idiomatic Latin exclamations similar to the English "oh no!" used when one finds oneself in an unfortunate situation?



      The only thing that I came up with is that I might want to use vae or o one way or another, but I couldn't find anything natural and concise.
      O me miserum feels too long, but perhaps Latin has no shorter options.
      A short curse like malum! is an option, but the tone is different from "oh no!".







      vocabulary idiom






      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question











      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question










      asked yesterday









      Joonas IlmavirtaJoonas Ilmavirta

      48.3k1169284




      48.3k1169284






















          3 Answers
          3






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          25














          I think the word you want is ēheu, which L&S define as "an interjection of pain or grief".



          It's often translated as "alas", mostly because it appears in epic poetry where a grandiose and formal translation is appropriate. But it's also common in the vulgar speech of Plautus, where I would translate it as "ah, f---" or some similar profanity.






          share|improve this answer



















          • 2





            For example, in school we would say "Eheu! Caesar mortuus est!" around this time of year.

            – Todd Wilcox
            8 hours ago











          • Eheu! Caecilius est in horto!

            – tox123
            3 hours ago











          • This is the perfect word, but "eheu" doesn't have any profane undertones, even in Plautus.

            – brianpck
            2 hours ago











          • @brianpck Fair, though in modern English usage, I'd argue that something like "oh s---" isn't really meant to be profane: it's gotten semantically bleached into an expression of anger or dread or whatever without being meant to offend.

            – Draconis
            2 hours ago



















          22














          Seneca the Younger gave the following irreverent account of Claudius' last words:




          Ultima vox eius haec inter homines audita est, cum maiorem sonitum emisisset illa parte qua facilius loquebatur: "vae me, puto, concacavi me." Quod an fecerit, nescio: omnia certe concacavit.



          These were the final words he was heard to utter among men, when he had let out a rather loud noise from that part with which he spoke more easily: "Oh dear, I do believe I've shat myself." Whether he did so, I don't know - he certainly did shit all over everything [as emperor].




          Therefore vae me! seems another appropriate interjection.






          share|improve this answer































            7














            Three options:





            1. heu



              In the Vulgata, rather than eheu, the word used to express something akin to "Oh no!" (and, as Draconis said, translated as alas!) is heu.



              For instance, a verse which clearly captures the meaning you intend is 2 Kings 6:15:




              Consurgens autem diluculo minister viri Dei, egressus, vidit exercitum in circuitu civitatis, et equos et currus : nuntiavitque ei, dicens : Heu heu heu, domine mi, quid faciemus?




              Which a direct translation (see link above) has it as:




              And the servant of the man of God rising early, went out, and saw an army round about the city, and horses and chariots: and he told him, saying: Alas, alas, alas, my lord, what shall we do?




              This is also attested in Classical Latin. E.g. see list here.




            2. ei



              According to L&S, this interjection is also used to mean "oh, alas!".




            3. atat and derivations



              This is an interesting option! It seems more like a malleable verbal expression than a proper word. L&S states that the options are:




              ătăt or attat , also several times repeated, atatatae, attatatatae, or atatte, atattate, etc.,




              which can be "an exclamation of joy, pain, wonder, fright, warning, etc.,"




            So now you know. Attatatatae, merus novem dies donec Brexitus!






            share|improve this answer


























            • These are all nice suggestions, thanks! I assume ei is a single diphthong unlike the dative or plural ei. The third option is very appropriate for a very specific kind of a dire situation.

              – Joonas Ilmavirta
              13 hours ago











            • @JoonasIlmavirta hahahaha hilarious. You are welcome. It's amazing that Latin, at least with the impression I have of it, has such open/dynamic expressions. Almost like slang.

              – luchonacho
              13 hours ago











            • As for your third option, it's very interesting to note that in Calabria, Southern Italy, there still exists the dialectal interjection tettettettette! (read as if the last e were accentuated). Today, it expresses wonder and incredulity with respect to a negative news or situation.

              – Vincenzo Oliva
              25 mins ago













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            3 Answers
            3






            active

            oldest

            votes








            3 Answers
            3






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes









            25














            I think the word you want is ēheu, which L&S define as "an interjection of pain or grief".



            It's often translated as "alas", mostly because it appears in epic poetry where a grandiose and formal translation is appropriate. But it's also common in the vulgar speech of Plautus, where I would translate it as "ah, f---" or some similar profanity.






            share|improve this answer



















            • 2





              For example, in school we would say "Eheu! Caesar mortuus est!" around this time of year.

              – Todd Wilcox
              8 hours ago











            • Eheu! Caecilius est in horto!

              – tox123
              3 hours ago











            • This is the perfect word, but "eheu" doesn't have any profane undertones, even in Plautus.

              – brianpck
              2 hours ago











            • @brianpck Fair, though in modern English usage, I'd argue that something like "oh s---" isn't really meant to be profane: it's gotten semantically bleached into an expression of anger or dread or whatever without being meant to offend.

              – Draconis
              2 hours ago
















            25














            I think the word you want is ēheu, which L&S define as "an interjection of pain or grief".



            It's often translated as "alas", mostly because it appears in epic poetry where a grandiose and formal translation is appropriate. But it's also common in the vulgar speech of Plautus, where I would translate it as "ah, f---" or some similar profanity.






            share|improve this answer



















            • 2





              For example, in school we would say "Eheu! Caesar mortuus est!" around this time of year.

              – Todd Wilcox
              8 hours ago











            • Eheu! Caecilius est in horto!

              – tox123
              3 hours ago











            • This is the perfect word, but "eheu" doesn't have any profane undertones, even in Plautus.

              – brianpck
              2 hours ago











            • @brianpck Fair, though in modern English usage, I'd argue that something like "oh s---" isn't really meant to be profane: it's gotten semantically bleached into an expression of anger or dread or whatever without being meant to offend.

              – Draconis
              2 hours ago














            25












            25








            25







            I think the word you want is ēheu, which L&S define as "an interjection of pain or grief".



            It's often translated as "alas", mostly because it appears in epic poetry where a grandiose and formal translation is appropriate. But it's also common in the vulgar speech of Plautus, where I would translate it as "ah, f---" or some similar profanity.






            share|improve this answer













            I think the word you want is ēheu, which L&S define as "an interjection of pain or grief".



            It's often translated as "alas", mostly because it appears in epic poetry where a grandiose and formal translation is appropriate. But it's also common in the vulgar speech of Plautus, where I would translate it as "ah, f---" or some similar profanity.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered yesterday









            DraconisDraconis

            17.3k22273




            17.3k22273








            • 2





              For example, in school we would say "Eheu! Caesar mortuus est!" around this time of year.

              – Todd Wilcox
              8 hours ago











            • Eheu! Caecilius est in horto!

              – tox123
              3 hours ago











            • This is the perfect word, but "eheu" doesn't have any profane undertones, even in Plautus.

              – brianpck
              2 hours ago











            • @brianpck Fair, though in modern English usage, I'd argue that something like "oh s---" isn't really meant to be profane: it's gotten semantically bleached into an expression of anger or dread or whatever without being meant to offend.

              – Draconis
              2 hours ago














            • 2





              For example, in school we would say "Eheu! Caesar mortuus est!" around this time of year.

              – Todd Wilcox
              8 hours ago











            • Eheu! Caecilius est in horto!

              – tox123
              3 hours ago











            • This is the perfect word, but "eheu" doesn't have any profane undertones, even in Plautus.

              – brianpck
              2 hours ago











            • @brianpck Fair, though in modern English usage, I'd argue that something like "oh s---" isn't really meant to be profane: it's gotten semantically bleached into an expression of anger or dread or whatever without being meant to offend.

              – Draconis
              2 hours ago








            2




            2





            For example, in school we would say "Eheu! Caesar mortuus est!" around this time of year.

            – Todd Wilcox
            8 hours ago





            For example, in school we would say "Eheu! Caesar mortuus est!" around this time of year.

            – Todd Wilcox
            8 hours ago













            Eheu! Caecilius est in horto!

            – tox123
            3 hours ago





            Eheu! Caecilius est in horto!

            – tox123
            3 hours ago













            This is the perfect word, but "eheu" doesn't have any profane undertones, even in Plautus.

            – brianpck
            2 hours ago





            This is the perfect word, but "eheu" doesn't have any profane undertones, even in Plautus.

            – brianpck
            2 hours ago













            @brianpck Fair, though in modern English usage, I'd argue that something like "oh s---" isn't really meant to be profane: it's gotten semantically bleached into an expression of anger or dread or whatever without being meant to offend.

            – Draconis
            2 hours ago





            @brianpck Fair, though in modern English usage, I'd argue that something like "oh s---" isn't really meant to be profane: it's gotten semantically bleached into an expression of anger or dread or whatever without being meant to offend.

            – Draconis
            2 hours ago











            22














            Seneca the Younger gave the following irreverent account of Claudius' last words:




            Ultima vox eius haec inter homines audita est, cum maiorem sonitum emisisset illa parte qua facilius loquebatur: "vae me, puto, concacavi me." Quod an fecerit, nescio: omnia certe concacavit.



            These were the final words he was heard to utter among men, when he had let out a rather loud noise from that part with which he spoke more easily: "Oh dear, I do believe I've shat myself." Whether he did so, I don't know - he certainly did shit all over everything [as emperor].




            Therefore vae me! seems another appropriate interjection.






            share|improve this answer




























              22














              Seneca the Younger gave the following irreverent account of Claudius' last words:




              Ultima vox eius haec inter homines audita est, cum maiorem sonitum emisisset illa parte qua facilius loquebatur: "vae me, puto, concacavi me." Quod an fecerit, nescio: omnia certe concacavit.



              These were the final words he was heard to utter among men, when he had let out a rather loud noise from that part with which he spoke more easily: "Oh dear, I do believe I've shat myself." Whether he did so, I don't know - he certainly did shit all over everything [as emperor].




              Therefore vae me! seems another appropriate interjection.






              share|improve this answer


























                22












                22








                22







                Seneca the Younger gave the following irreverent account of Claudius' last words:




                Ultima vox eius haec inter homines audita est, cum maiorem sonitum emisisset illa parte qua facilius loquebatur: "vae me, puto, concacavi me." Quod an fecerit, nescio: omnia certe concacavit.



                These were the final words he was heard to utter among men, when he had let out a rather loud noise from that part with which he spoke more easily: "Oh dear, I do believe I've shat myself." Whether he did so, I don't know - he certainly did shit all over everything [as emperor].




                Therefore vae me! seems another appropriate interjection.






                share|improve this answer













                Seneca the Younger gave the following irreverent account of Claudius' last words:




                Ultima vox eius haec inter homines audita est, cum maiorem sonitum emisisset illa parte qua facilius loquebatur: "vae me, puto, concacavi me." Quod an fecerit, nescio: omnia certe concacavit.



                These were the final words he was heard to utter among men, when he had let out a rather loud noise from that part with which he spoke more easily: "Oh dear, I do believe I've shat myself." Whether he did so, I don't know - he certainly did shit all over everything [as emperor].




                Therefore vae me! seems another appropriate interjection.







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered yesterday









                Vincenzo OlivaVincenzo Oliva

                1,625214




                1,625214























                    7














                    Three options:





                    1. heu



                      In the Vulgata, rather than eheu, the word used to express something akin to "Oh no!" (and, as Draconis said, translated as alas!) is heu.



                      For instance, a verse which clearly captures the meaning you intend is 2 Kings 6:15:




                      Consurgens autem diluculo minister viri Dei, egressus, vidit exercitum in circuitu civitatis, et equos et currus : nuntiavitque ei, dicens : Heu heu heu, domine mi, quid faciemus?




                      Which a direct translation (see link above) has it as:




                      And the servant of the man of God rising early, went out, and saw an army round about the city, and horses and chariots: and he told him, saying: Alas, alas, alas, my lord, what shall we do?




                      This is also attested in Classical Latin. E.g. see list here.




                    2. ei



                      According to L&S, this interjection is also used to mean "oh, alas!".




                    3. atat and derivations



                      This is an interesting option! It seems more like a malleable verbal expression than a proper word. L&S states that the options are:




                      ătăt or attat , also several times repeated, atatatae, attatatatae, or atatte, atattate, etc.,




                      which can be "an exclamation of joy, pain, wonder, fright, warning, etc.,"




                    So now you know. Attatatatae, merus novem dies donec Brexitus!






                    share|improve this answer


























                    • These are all nice suggestions, thanks! I assume ei is a single diphthong unlike the dative or plural ei. The third option is very appropriate for a very specific kind of a dire situation.

                      – Joonas Ilmavirta
                      13 hours ago











                    • @JoonasIlmavirta hahahaha hilarious. You are welcome. It's amazing that Latin, at least with the impression I have of it, has such open/dynamic expressions. Almost like slang.

                      – luchonacho
                      13 hours ago











                    • As for your third option, it's very interesting to note that in Calabria, Southern Italy, there still exists the dialectal interjection tettettettette! (read as if the last e were accentuated). Today, it expresses wonder and incredulity with respect to a negative news or situation.

                      – Vincenzo Oliva
                      25 mins ago


















                    7














                    Three options:





                    1. heu



                      In the Vulgata, rather than eheu, the word used to express something akin to "Oh no!" (and, as Draconis said, translated as alas!) is heu.



                      For instance, a verse which clearly captures the meaning you intend is 2 Kings 6:15:




                      Consurgens autem diluculo minister viri Dei, egressus, vidit exercitum in circuitu civitatis, et equos et currus : nuntiavitque ei, dicens : Heu heu heu, domine mi, quid faciemus?




                      Which a direct translation (see link above) has it as:




                      And the servant of the man of God rising early, went out, and saw an army round about the city, and horses and chariots: and he told him, saying: Alas, alas, alas, my lord, what shall we do?




                      This is also attested in Classical Latin. E.g. see list here.




                    2. ei



                      According to L&S, this interjection is also used to mean "oh, alas!".




                    3. atat and derivations



                      This is an interesting option! It seems more like a malleable verbal expression than a proper word. L&S states that the options are:




                      ătăt or attat , also several times repeated, atatatae, attatatatae, or atatte, atattate, etc.,




                      which can be "an exclamation of joy, pain, wonder, fright, warning, etc.,"




                    So now you know. Attatatatae, merus novem dies donec Brexitus!






                    share|improve this answer


























                    • These are all nice suggestions, thanks! I assume ei is a single diphthong unlike the dative or plural ei. The third option is very appropriate for a very specific kind of a dire situation.

                      – Joonas Ilmavirta
                      13 hours ago











                    • @JoonasIlmavirta hahahaha hilarious. You are welcome. It's amazing that Latin, at least with the impression I have of it, has such open/dynamic expressions. Almost like slang.

                      – luchonacho
                      13 hours ago











                    • As for your third option, it's very interesting to note that in Calabria, Southern Italy, there still exists the dialectal interjection tettettettette! (read as if the last e were accentuated). Today, it expresses wonder and incredulity with respect to a negative news or situation.

                      – Vincenzo Oliva
                      25 mins ago
















                    7












                    7








                    7







                    Three options:





                    1. heu



                      In the Vulgata, rather than eheu, the word used to express something akin to "Oh no!" (and, as Draconis said, translated as alas!) is heu.



                      For instance, a verse which clearly captures the meaning you intend is 2 Kings 6:15:




                      Consurgens autem diluculo minister viri Dei, egressus, vidit exercitum in circuitu civitatis, et equos et currus : nuntiavitque ei, dicens : Heu heu heu, domine mi, quid faciemus?




                      Which a direct translation (see link above) has it as:




                      And the servant of the man of God rising early, went out, and saw an army round about the city, and horses and chariots: and he told him, saying: Alas, alas, alas, my lord, what shall we do?




                      This is also attested in Classical Latin. E.g. see list here.




                    2. ei



                      According to L&S, this interjection is also used to mean "oh, alas!".




                    3. atat and derivations



                      This is an interesting option! It seems more like a malleable verbal expression than a proper word. L&S states that the options are:




                      ătăt or attat , also several times repeated, atatatae, attatatatae, or atatte, atattate, etc.,




                      which can be "an exclamation of joy, pain, wonder, fright, warning, etc.,"




                    So now you know. Attatatatae, merus novem dies donec Brexitus!






                    share|improve this answer















                    Three options:





                    1. heu



                      In the Vulgata, rather than eheu, the word used to express something akin to "Oh no!" (and, as Draconis said, translated as alas!) is heu.



                      For instance, a verse which clearly captures the meaning you intend is 2 Kings 6:15:




                      Consurgens autem diluculo minister viri Dei, egressus, vidit exercitum in circuitu civitatis, et equos et currus : nuntiavitque ei, dicens : Heu heu heu, domine mi, quid faciemus?




                      Which a direct translation (see link above) has it as:




                      And the servant of the man of God rising early, went out, and saw an army round about the city, and horses and chariots: and he told him, saying: Alas, alas, alas, my lord, what shall we do?




                      This is also attested in Classical Latin. E.g. see list here.




                    2. ei



                      According to L&S, this interjection is also used to mean "oh, alas!".




                    3. atat and derivations



                      This is an interesting option! It seems more like a malleable verbal expression than a proper word. L&S states that the options are:




                      ătăt or attat , also several times repeated, atatatae, attatatatae, or atatte, atattate, etc.,




                      which can be "an exclamation of joy, pain, wonder, fright, warning, etc.,"




                    So now you know. Attatatatae, merus novem dies donec Brexitus!







                    share|improve this answer














                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer








                    edited 19 hours ago

























                    answered 20 hours ago









                    luchonacholuchonacho

                    5,88151560




                    5,88151560













                    • These are all nice suggestions, thanks! I assume ei is a single diphthong unlike the dative or plural ei. The third option is very appropriate for a very specific kind of a dire situation.

                      – Joonas Ilmavirta
                      13 hours ago











                    • @JoonasIlmavirta hahahaha hilarious. You are welcome. It's amazing that Latin, at least with the impression I have of it, has such open/dynamic expressions. Almost like slang.

                      – luchonacho
                      13 hours ago











                    • As for your third option, it's very interesting to note that in Calabria, Southern Italy, there still exists the dialectal interjection tettettettette! (read as if the last e were accentuated). Today, it expresses wonder and incredulity with respect to a negative news or situation.

                      – Vincenzo Oliva
                      25 mins ago





















                    • These are all nice suggestions, thanks! I assume ei is a single diphthong unlike the dative or plural ei. The third option is very appropriate for a very specific kind of a dire situation.

                      – Joonas Ilmavirta
                      13 hours ago











                    • @JoonasIlmavirta hahahaha hilarious. You are welcome. It's amazing that Latin, at least with the impression I have of it, has such open/dynamic expressions. Almost like slang.

                      – luchonacho
                      13 hours ago











                    • As for your third option, it's very interesting to note that in Calabria, Southern Italy, there still exists the dialectal interjection tettettettette! (read as if the last e were accentuated). Today, it expresses wonder and incredulity with respect to a negative news or situation.

                      – Vincenzo Oliva
                      25 mins ago



















                    These are all nice suggestions, thanks! I assume ei is a single diphthong unlike the dative or plural ei. The third option is very appropriate for a very specific kind of a dire situation.

                    – Joonas Ilmavirta
                    13 hours ago





                    These are all nice suggestions, thanks! I assume ei is a single diphthong unlike the dative or plural ei. The third option is very appropriate for a very specific kind of a dire situation.

                    – Joonas Ilmavirta
                    13 hours ago













                    @JoonasIlmavirta hahahaha hilarious. You are welcome. It's amazing that Latin, at least with the impression I have of it, has such open/dynamic expressions. Almost like slang.

                    – luchonacho
                    13 hours ago





                    @JoonasIlmavirta hahahaha hilarious. You are welcome. It's amazing that Latin, at least with the impression I have of it, has such open/dynamic expressions. Almost like slang.

                    – luchonacho
                    13 hours ago













                    As for your third option, it's very interesting to note that in Calabria, Southern Italy, there still exists the dialectal interjection tettettettette! (read as if the last e were accentuated). Today, it expresses wonder and incredulity with respect to a negative news or situation.

                    – Vincenzo Oliva
                    25 mins ago







                    As for your third option, it's very interesting to note that in Calabria, Southern Italy, there still exists the dialectal interjection tettettettette! (read as if the last e were accentuated). Today, it expresses wonder and incredulity with respect to a negative news or situation.

                    – Vincenzo Oliva
                    25 mins ago




















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