Latin quote · Courage

Alis grave nil

“Nothing is heavy to those who have wings.”

Traditional Latin motto

Translation

What does “Alis grave nil” mean?

Alis grave nil translates as “Nothing is heavy to those who have wings.”

With the right inner strength or inspiration, burdens feel light. It is an encouraging motto for students and anyone facing a demanding task.

Word by word

“Alis grave nil” word by word

Latin	English	Grammar
Alis	to those with wings (with wings)	dative or ablative plural of ala, “wing”; here dative of advantage or possession (“for those with wings”), the sense of the translation
grave	heavy	neuter singular adjective (nominative or accusative), from gravis, “heavy, weighty”; here it agrees with nil
nil	nothing	contracted form of nihil, “nothing”; neuter singular, the subject of the sentence

Pronunciation

How to pronounce “Alis grave nil”

Classical LatinAH-lees GRAH-weh nil

Church LatinAH-lees GRAH-veh nil

The only difference is the v in grave: a w sound in Classical, a v sound in Ecclesiastical. Stress falls on the first syllable of alis and of grave. Nil is one syllable.

Origin & context

The story behind it

Word for word the motto reads “to wings, heavy nothing”, which in natural English becomes “nothing is heavy to those who have wings”. There is no verb: Latin mottos often leave out “is”, and the sense is easy to supply.

The motto is traditional and is used by schools and other institutions, but its precise origin is not documented. It is best called a traditional Latin motto rather than credited to a particular author.

The image is simple: a bird carries its own weight easily, and so a person with real inspiration or inner strength finds a heavy task light. That is why the line suits students, graduates and anyone starting something demanding.

When to use it

How to use “Alis grave nil”

A good fit for a graduation card, a school or team motto, or a light-hearted motivational tattoo, especially with a wing or bird design. It also works as an encouraging caption for a hard project or a new challenge.

Latin: Alis grave nil
English: Nothing is heavy to those who have wings.
Source: Traditional Latin motto
Era: Modern Latin
Theme: Courage

Good to know

Common mistakes

Alis can look like a form of alius, “another”, or of the pronoun is. Here it is from ala, “wing”.
Nil is not a different word from nihil. It is a common short form of it, so both spellings are correct Latin.
Grave is not a noun here. It does not mean “grave” in the English sense of a burial place, but “heavy”.
Do not read it as “wings are not heavy”. The point is that nothing is heavy for those who have wings.

FAQ

Questions about “Alis grave nil”

What does “Alis grave nil” mean literally?

Literally “to wings, nothing heavy”. Natural English is “nothing is heavy to those who have wings”, meaning a burden feels light when you have the strength to rise above it.

Who said “Alis grave nil”?

No author is known. It is a traditional Latin motto used by schools and institutions, and its precise origin is not documented.

How do you pronounce “Alis grave nil”?

In Classical Latin: AH-lees GRAH-weh nil. In Church Latin the v is a true v: AH-lees GRAH-veh nil.

Is “Alis grave nil” correct Latin for a tattoo?

Yes, the words and grammar are sound. Nil is an accepted short form of nihil, and the missing verb is normal in Latin mottos.

Explore