Expert: Maria - 10/5/2009

Question
could you translate for me 'take no prisoners', how it would be meant in this quote - Raise high the black flags, my children. No prisoners. No pity. I will shoot any man I see with pity in him - Field Marshal Gebhard von Blucher. thank you

Answer
Hello,

“Take no prisoners” translates as follows:

-“Cavete captivos capiatis”.

Regards,
Maria
__________________________________________________

-Take = CAVETE (2nd.person plural, imperative of CAVEO) ...…CAPIATIS (2nd.person plural, subjunctive present of CAPIO.The verb CAVEO in fact is followed by a subjunctive).

-no prisoners = CAPTIVOS (direct object, accusative plural of CAPTIVUS, 2nd declension).

Note that the literal translation of “Cavete captivos capiatis “ is  “Mind you don't take prisoners!” where CAVETE corresponds to “Mind”, while CAPIATIS is “ you don’t take” and CAPTIVOS is “prisoners”.