What does “Memento mori” mean?

“Mementō morī” means “Remember that you will die”. A reminder of mortality; the idea is ancient (the slave in a Roman triumph), the phrase is later.

Who said “Memento mori”?

It is not classical: medieval monastic saying.

Mementō morī

“Remember that you will die”

MEMENTO · MORI

Later Latin: medieval or modern

medieval monastic saying

A reminder of mortality; the idea is ancient (the slave in a Roman triumph), the phrase is later.

Word by word

Mementōmeminī -isseremember, recollect2nd sg. fut. act. imper.
morīmorior -īdiepres. act. inf.

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 “Memento mori” mean?: “Mementō morī” means “Remember that you will die”. A reminder of mortality; the idea is ancient (the slave in a Roman triumph), the phrase is later.
Who said “Memento mori”?: It is not classical: medieval monastic saying.

Related sayings

Dulce et decōrum est prō patriā morīIt is sweet and fitting to die for one's country
Nōn omnis moriarI shall not wholly die
Requiēscat in pāceMay he (or she) rest in peace