LATIN DICTIONARYLexicon Latīnum

Timeō Danaōs et dōna ferentēs

“I fear the Greeks even bearing gifts”

TIMEO · DANAOS · ET · DONA · FERENTES

Classical: the author's own words

Vergil, Aeneid 2.49

Laocoön warns the Trojans about the wooden horse.

Word by word

  1. Timeōtimeō -ēreto fear, to dread1st sg. pres. act. ind.
  2. DanaōsDanaus -a -umbelonging to Danauspl. acc. m.
  3. etetand
  4. dōnadōnum -ī n.gift, presentpl. nom.
  5. ferentēsferō -rebear, carry, endurepl. nom. m./f. pres. ptcp.

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 “Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes” mean?
“Timeō Danaōs et dōna ferentēs” means “I fear the Greeks even bearing gifts”. Laocoön warns the Trojans about the wooden horse.
Who said “Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes”?
Vergil, Aeneid 2.49.