Latin Translation: Carry On

by Manny
(Mississauga Ontario Canada)

Dear Latin Teacher,

How would you say the phrase "carry on" in Latin? More specifically, "carrying on" despite adversity, so to speak.

Thanks, Manny

Dear Manny,

The most common Latin translation for "carry on" is probably perfer. It means carry through to the end, endure, suffer, bear whatever comes. The two parts of this imperative singular are the prefix per, meaning through, and the root verb fer, meaning carry or bear.

Catullus famously uses this verb in line 11 of poem 8. He uses perfer as a command to himself to carry on with life despite the fact that his lover has no interest in him anymore.

Hope this helps, and thanks for asking a Latin teacher!

Sincerely,

John

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