# Looking for a translation of English to Latin that captures the sense of the phrase **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 31, 2022, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-translation-of-english-to-latin-that-captures-the-sense-of-the-phrase/977384 "2022-12-31T04:41:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-translation-of-english-to-latin-that-captures-the-sense-of-the-phrase/977384/1 "2022-12-31T04:41:39Z")
My wife and I were talking about having a family motto (in Latin, of course). Her very first suggestion was my all-purpose excuse for when things don’t go quite right: “It seemed like a good idea at the time.” I’ve tried some on-line translation tools and they don’t really seem to capture the sense or intention of the phrase. I realize that a literal translation would probably not be appropriate and likely wouldn’t even make sense. Maybe it would be easier to translate “appeared a good idea in the past” or something similar. I’m open to suggestions and your help. My wife is sick of hearing the phrase in English, so it would be nice to give her a break. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-translation-of-english-to-latin-that-captures-the-sense-of-the-phrase/977384/2 "2022-12-31T05:12:28Z")
Bona idea videbatur in illo tempore. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-translation-of-english-to-latin-that-captures-the-sense-of-the-phrase/977384/3 "2022-12-31T10:38:29Z")
Videbatur tempore utilem - It seemed useful at the time Bona idea tunc - A good idea then Bonam ideam tunc - A good idea back then ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-translation-of-english-to-latin-that-captures-the-sense-of-the-phrase/977384/4 "2022-12-31T12:45:38Z")
Wow, **Johanna**! I just tried that in Google translate and it was perfect! Now I just need to have it engraved on my (tiny) mantel. **Bob\_2** , I really like your ideas and how pithy they are. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-translation-of-english-to-latin-that-captures-the-sense-of-the-phrase/977384/5 "2022-12-31T13:43:51Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > Bonam ideam tunc - A good idea back then IMO … That totally takes the cake style-wise. It sounds Latin, it sounds profound, and it’s short. All the really good Latin mottos are short & punchy. Lots of the actual Latin language is as wordy & syllable-heavy as modern Spanish. Pretty to listen to; lousy for mottos. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-translation-of-english-to-latin-that-captures-the-sense-of-the-phrase/977384/6 "2022-12-31T14:46:39Z")
Never mind my word for word translation, Bob nailed it with the concise _Bonam ideam tunc_. That one hits the sweet spot. Bob, what’s with the use of accusative case to imply further back in time? ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-translation-of-english-to-latin-that-captures-the-sense-of-the-phrase/977384/7 "2022-12-31T15:46:03Z")
I confess. Like you I spent some time with a translation app trying out different phrases. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2023, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-translation-of-english-to-latin-that-captures-the-sense-of-the-phrase/977384/8 "2023-01-02T16:22:03Z")
I just used Wiktionary, because it provides the declensions and conjugations for you.