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tempus fugit

Latin Phrases
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Meaning “time flies,” it laments swift passage of time. It signals urgency.

Detailed Definition
Tempus fugit is a frequent poetic reminder of mortality and fleeting youth. The phrase intensifies carpe diem themes, urging action before opportunity vanishes. Its brevity and rhythm make it especially resonant in verse.
Example
Example in poetry:
A carpe diem poem might invoke tempus fugit to urge action; A reflective sonnet could lament ageing with tempus fugit; A pastoral lyric may contrast timeless nature with human tempus fugit; A modern verse might repeat tempus fugit like a ticking clock.
Additional Notes
Tempus fugit is closely linked to carpe diem traditions and heightens urgency in lyric poetry. Its rhythmic brevity makes it memorable and emphatic. Students may examine how it structures themes of mortality and fleeting youth.
Also Known As
Time flies Fleeting time
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