Greek original · Betrayal
Καὶ σύ, τέκνον;
Kai sy, teknon?
“You too, child?”
Reported last words of Julius Caesar (Suetonius, Life of Julius 82)
Meaning
What does “Kai sy, teknon?” mean?
Shock at being betrayed by someone close. The phrase captures the pain of a friend or protégé turning against you.
Origin
The story behind it
Suetonius says that Caesar died without a word – but adds that some reported he said these Greek words to Brutus as he was stabbed in 44 BC. Educated Romans often spoke Greek among themselves.
Greek and Latin
From Greek to Latin
The Greek originalΚαὶ σύ, τέκνον;
Kai sy, teknon?
The Latin versionEt tu, Brute?
The Latin Et tu, Brute? is not an ancient source: it was made famous by Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar (1599).
Pronunciation
How to say it
Roughly kai SOO, TEK-non.
When to use it
How to use it today
A witty caption when a friend "betrays" you – for example by supporting the rival football team.
- Greek
- Καὶ σύ, τέκνον;
- Transliteration
- Kai sy, teknon?
- English
- You too, child?
- Latin
- Et tu, Brute?
- Source
- Reported last words of Julius Caesar (Suetonius, Life of Julius 82)
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