LATIN DICTIONARYLexicon Latīnum

Ōdī et amō

“I hate and I love”

ODI · ET · AMO

Classical: the author's own words

Catullus 85

The first words of a two-line poem: 'I hate and love. Why, perhaps you ask. I do not know, but I feel it happen and I am tortured.'

Word by word

  1. Ōdīōdī -issehate1st sg. pres. act. ind.
  2. etetand
  3. amōamō -āreto love; amāns -ntis m./f.: lover1st 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 “Odi et amo” mean?
“Ōdī et amō” means “I hate and I love”. The first words of a two-line poem: 'I hate and love. Why, perhaps you ask. I do not know, but I feel it happen and I am tortured.'
Who said “Odi et amo”?
Catullus 85.

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