[aleksandra]

Hello,

I'm just finishing a project for college and it's related to documentary photography. I have to explain a photography I've made and I would like to have my ast sentence in latin (because something latin is on my photo and is important for the message the photo contains).

I don't want to rely on the google translator, because I really really really want to have it correct.

what i would like to translate is:

go below the surface. Make a difference. seize the day.

Thanks!!!

[LovelyLeah]

It's been years since I've taken Latin. So I don't know that I'd be much more accurate than google translate. But if you are looking for good mottos in Latin that are excellently translated, check out:
http://www.yuni.com/library/latin.html

The fact that very few people know Latin these days means you could put a joke up there for sheer amusement and no one would notice except the few who can translate and then I'm sure it would make their day.

Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur! Which means: Those green pants go so well with that pink shirt and the plaid jacket!

There are a lot of other fun ones but also quotes as well. I'm not sure its on there but I want to get "ego sum qui sum" tattooed somewhere. It mean I am who I am.

I also asked a friend who is a Latin major. I'll let you know if she does it.

[Ruthxxx]

Seize the day is "Carpe diem". It is fairly often used and well known.

[indiblue]

I took Latin for seven years but haven't studied it since college!

I don't have my Latin dictionary where I live now, but I did a rough translation. It's really difficult to translate Latin without a good dictionary. You are right not to trust Google Translate. The dictionaries/translators online don't contain important info about words such as their gender and irregularities in declining/conjugating, and also macrons (a horizontal line across some vowels).

So, double check this translation with someone who has a dictionary.

Also, Latin distinguishes between imperative (commands) to one person versus multiple people. "Carpe Diem" technically is only addressed to one person. If you wanted to tell a bunch of people to seize the day it would be "Carpite Diem." I put this into singular to keep the verbs in the same number.

Progredere sub aequore. Fac emendationem. Carpe diem.

[aleksandra]

indiblue, thank you so much!
i knew seize the day meant carpe diem, but i wasn't sure about the plural form, yes. as for the rest - i had no idea, so this means you've saved my life
Thanks agin!!!!

[indiblue]

You're welcome. Feel free to double check with someone else, especially because the nuance of what you are trying to get across (e.g. "difference" here means "positive change," not "there is a difference in color between these two shirts") is best confirmed by someone who continues to study the language at an advanced level.

LovelyLeah "Qui" means who for men (masculine). Who for female is "qua." If you are referring to yourself you may want to opt for "qua."

Most of Latin is written for men, since most of the poets/authors/main characters were men. So most of the phrases are in the masculine voice

[LovelyLeah]

No, I want it because of the Bible verse where God tells Moses I am who I am.