Expert: Maria - 6/18/2006

Question
hello, and sorry if you've answered this one; I couldn't find it posted.

what is the literal translation of "neutiquam erro?"  i know that in common use it means I'm not lost, but I was wondering what the break-down was.

thanks for your help,
Jon

Answer
Hello,

If we analyse the Latin phrase “Neutiquam erro”, we can say that:

-NEUTIQUAM is a classical Latin adverb used by Cicero, e.g.
It  means literally: “Certainly not” , “not at all”,  “In no way”. In short it is a negative adverb which strengthens a negative assertion.

-ERRO is the 1st.person singular of the present indicative of the verb ERRARE which can mean ‘to wander’, ‘to be wrong’, but also ‘to lose oneself’, ‘to lose one’s way’, ‘to be unable to find one's way’,  as we read in Virgil.

Therefore the literal translation of “Neutiquam erro” is :
"I am not lost at all" since NEUTIQUAM is ‘not..at all’ and ERRO is ‘I am lost’.

Hope all is clear enough.
Best,
Maria