Expert: Maria - 8/4/2010

Question
Greetings,
I was hoping you could tell me how to pronounce the Latin phrase 'Nosce te ipsum' in English.
I know it means 'know thyself' and I wish to be able to say it in conversation.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

Answer
Hello,

You can hear  the audio pronunciation of the Latin phrase “Nosce te ipsum” at: http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/audio-medlineplus.pl?fwnosc01=nosce+te+ip...

I have only to point out that the last syllable “-ce”  in the first word “Nosce” can also be pronounced like “che” in “chemical”, instead of "k" in “king”.

Finally I want to tell you that “Nosce te ipsum”  is the Latin translation of the following  ancient Greek maxim  carved on the pediment of the temple of Apollo at Delphi, Greece:  
“Γνωθι σαυτόν“ transliterated as “Gnőthi sautón”, meaning exactly “Know thyself”.

Best regards,
Maria
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Note that:

-NOSCE ( 2nd.person singular, imperative of NOSCO, I know)= know

-TE IPSUM (direct object in the accusative)= thyself