What does “Tempus fugit” mean?

“Tempus fugit” means “Time flies”. 'But meanwhile it flies, time flies beyond recall.'

Who said “Tempus fugit”?

after Vergil, Georgics 3.284, where the Latin reads “sed fugit intereā, fugit inreparābile tempus”.

Tempus fugit

“Time flies”

TEMPVS · FVGIT

Adapted: a later form of a classical line

after Vergil, Georgics 3.284

sed fugit intereā, fugit inreparābile tempus

'But meanwhile it flies, time flies beyond recall.'

Word by word

Tempustempus -oris n.timesg. nom.
fugitfugiō -ereflee, escape3rd 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.

Check this wording Open it in the reader

Quick answers

What does “Tempus fugit” mean?: “Tempus fugit” means “Time flies”. 'But meanwhile it flies, time flies beyond recall.'
Who said “Tempus fugit”?: after Vergil, Georgics 3.284, where the Latin reads “sed fugit intereā, fugit inreparābile tempus”.

Related sayings

Carpe diemPluck the day
Ēheu fugācēs, Postume, Postume, lābuntur annīAlas, Postumus, Postumus, the fleeting years slip by