LATIN DICTIONARYLexicon Latīnum

Vīvāmus, mea Lesbia, atque amēmus

“Let us live, my Lesbia, and let us love”

VIVAMVS · MEA · LESBIA · ATQVE · AMEMVS

Classical: the author's own words

Catullus 5.1

The opening of Catullus's poem of the thousand kisses.

Word by word

  1. Vīvāmusvīvō -erelive1st pl. pres. act. subj.
  2. meameus -a -ummysg. nom. f.
  3. LesbiaLesbĭathe name of a woman
  4. atqueatqueand in addition, and also, and; (after comparatives) than; simul atque, as soon as; → ac
  5. amēmusamō -āreto love; amāns -ntis m./f.: lover1st pl. pres. act. subj.

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 “Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus” mean?
“Vīvāmus, mea Lesbia, atque amēmus” means “Let us live, my Lesbia, and let us love”. The opening of Catullus's poem of the thousand kisses.
Who said “Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus”?
Catullus 5.1.

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