1. Expressions of Politeness and Permission

2. Idiomatic versus Literal Meanings
Idiomatic Meanings
Translated as used in the language.
Usually sound “normal” to us.
E.g. the English expression “you’re on fire” means “you’re doing great!” idiomatically.
Literal Meanings
Translated word-for-word.
Usually sound strange to us.
E.g. the English expression “you’re on fire” means “stop, drop, and roll!” literally.

3. Idiomatic versus Literal Meanings
“You’re on fire!”
(Idiomatic Meaning)
“You’re doing great!”
“You’re on fire!”
(Literal Meaning)
“Stop, drop, and roll, man!”

4. Mea culpa! Idiomatic meaning: “I’m sorry.”
Literal meaning: “my fault” or “my bad.”
This is often used in American courts by lawyers today!
If the Pope makes an official apology, it’s called a “Mea Culpa.”

5. Salve(te)! Idiomatic meaning: “hello,” “hi,” or “greetings.”
Literal meaning: “be well” or “be healthy.” N.b. this expression is a verb command.
The English word “hello” is the modern form of the Old English expression “waes halle,” meaning “be well” or “be healthy.”

6. Vale(te)! Idiomatic meaning: “goodbye” or “farewell.”
Literal meaning: “be strong” or “be brave.” Roman culture was rather violent, and you never knew if you would see someone again. N.b. this expression is a verb command.
The English expression “goodbye” originally meant “God be with you.”

7. Gratias tibi ago! Idiomatic meaning: “thank you.”
Literal meaning: “I do thanks to you.”
This Latin expression is the ancestor of Spanish “gracias,” and Italian “grazie.”

8. Libenter! Idiomatic meaning: “you’re welcome.”
Literal meaning: “freely” or “gladly” (as in I have freely or gladly done this thing for you).
This word is connected to the word “libertatem” (liberty).

9. Ignosce mihi! Idiomatic meaning: “excuse me.”
Literal meaning: “ignore me” (in the sense of “ignore my mistake”).
This expression can be used in any way the English “excuse me” can be used: to move past someone, after burping or farting, etc.

10. Amabo te? Idiomatic meaning: “Please?”
Literal meaning: “I will love you (if you do this for me . . .”), similar to “I’ll be your best friend if you . . .”

11. Tibi salutem! Idiomatic meaning: “Bless you.”
Literal meaning: “Health to you.”
This Latin expression is the ancestor of the Spanish “salud” and the Italian “salute” used when someone sneezes or in toasts.

12. Licetne mihi in latrinam ire?
Idiomatic meaning: “May I use the bathroom?”
Literal meaning: “is it permitted for me to go into the toilet?” 
This is a really good question to be able to ask in any language!