Latin quote · Courage

Tentanda via

“The way must be tried.”

Adapted from Virgil, Georgics 3.8

Translation

What does “Tentanda via” mean?

Tentanda via translates as “The way must be tried.”

Progress needs the courage to attempt a path not yet tested. It encourages exploration even when success is uncertain.

Word by word

“Tentanda via” word by word

Latin	English	Grammar
Tentanda	must be tried	feminine nominative singular gerundive (future passive participle) of tento, “I try, I test”; the -nda ending gives the sense of “has to be done”
via	the way, the path	feminine nominative singular of via, “way, road”; it is the subject, and it agrees with tentanda

Pronunciation

How to pronounce “Tentanda via”

Classical Latinten-TAN-dah WEE-ah

Church Latinten-TAN-dah VEE-ah

The only difference is the v: classical wee-ah, church vee-ah. In both, stress the second syllable of tentanda (the a before nd is long by position) and the first syllable of via.

Origin & context

The story behind it

Word for word the phrase says “the way [is] to be tried”, in English “the way must be tried”. The gerundive tentanda carries the sense of duty or necessity, and the verb to be is left out, as often in Latin.

It is adapted from Virgil’s Georgics, a poem about farming written in the 30s BC. Near the start of Book 3 (line 8), Virgil says that a way must be tried by which he too can rise from the ground and fly through the mouths of men, meaning that he wants to win fame as a poet.

The short form tentanda via has since been used as a motto, notably by universities and institutions that want to stress exploration and new paths.

When to use it

How to use “Tentanda via”

A good fit for a start-up, a research lab or a graduate setting out on something new, and for a tattoo or a card for anyone about to take a risk. It suits situations where the outcome is uncertain but the attempt is worth making.

Latin: Tentanda via
English: The way must be tried.
Source: Adapted from Virgil, Georgics 3.8
Era: Classical
Theme: Courage

Good to know

Common mistakes

Tentanda via is an adaptation. In Virgil the words are tentanda via est (“the way must be tried”) followed by a clause about how he too may rise from the ground, so the short form is not a verbatim line.
Via is feminine, so the gerundive must be feminine too. For a masculine noun the form changes, for example tentandus ordo, and for several ways it becomes tentandae viae.
It does not mean “try the way” as a command to one person, and it is not about tempting or testing someone else. It says that the path must be attempted.
Do not spell it with a j or write tentenda: the ending is -anda, from the first-conjugation verb tento.

FAQ

Questions about “Tentanda via”

What does “Tentanda via” mean literally?

Literally “the way to be tried”, which means “the way must be tried”. The gerundive tentanda expresses necessity: the path has to be attempted.

Who said “Tentanda via”?

It is adapted from the Roman poet Virgil, Georgics 3.8, where the full phrase is tentanda via est. The two-word version is a later shortening used as a motto.

How do you pronounce “Tentanda via”?

In classical Latin: ten-TAN-dah WEE-ah. In church Latin it is ten-TAN-dah VEE-ah. Stress falls on the second syllable of tentanda.

Is “Tentanda via” correct Latin for a tattoo?

Yes. It is grammatically correct: tentanda agrees with via in case, gender and number. Just be aware that it is a shortened, adapted line, and that it refers to a path that must be tried, not simply to travelling.

Explore