iacta alea est

Latin

Alternative forms

• ālea iacta est
• jacta ālea est

Etymology

Translation of an Ancient Greek phrase by Menander, ἀνερρίφθω κύβος (anerrhíphthō kúbos, “let the die be cast”), quoted in its original language by Julius Caesar.

Pronunciation

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): /ˈi̯ak.ta ˈaː.le.a est/, [ˈi̯äkt̪ä ˈäːɫ̪eä ɛs̠t̪]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈjak.ta ˈa.le.a est/, [ˈjäkt̪ä ˈäːleä ɛst̪]

Phrase

iacta ālea est

1. (idiomatic) the die is cast (the future is determined)

Descendants

• → Dutch: de teerling is geworpen (calque)
• → English: the die is cast (calque)
• → German: die Würfel sind gefallen (calque)