errare humanum est

Latin

To err is human.

Alternative forms

• errāre est hūmānum
• hūmānum est errāre

Etymology

The beginning of a longer Latin saying: "Errare humanum est, perseverare autem diabolicum." It translates to: "To err is human, but to persist [in error] is diabolical." The saying is often attributed to Seneca but not attested in his works.

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /erˈraː.re huːˈmaː.num est/, [ɛrˈräːrɛ huːˈmäːnʊ̃ˑ ɛs̠t̪]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /erˈra.re uˈma.num est/, [erˈräːre uˈmäːnum ɛst̪]

• Audio (Classical)

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Proverb

errāre hūmānum est

1. to err is human

Hyponyms

• errāre hūmānum est, persevērāre diabolicum