LATIN DICTIONARYLexicon Latīnum

Errāre hūmānum est

“To err is human”

ERRARE · HVMANVM · EST

Later Latin: medieval or modern

proverb, after ancient sayings

The idea is in Cicero and Seneca; the form is later. Often extended: 'persevērāre diabolicum'.

Word by word

  1. Errāreerrō -ārego astray, wander2nd sg. pres. pass. ind.
  2. hūmānumhūmānus -a -umhumansg. acc. m.
  3. estsum essebe, exist; fut. infin. often = fore, impf. subj. often = forem for essem3rd sg. pres. act. ind.

Using it as a motto or tattoo

Latin endings carry gender and number, so a saying about one person may need changing for another. Check your own version, or have three new ones composed, on the motto desk.

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Quick answers

What does “Errare humanum est” mean?
“Errāre hūmānum est” means “To err is human”. The idea is in Cicero and Seneca; the form is later. Often extended: 'persevērāre diabolicum'.
Who said “Errare humanum est”?
It is not classical: proverb, after ancient sayings.

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