Deo gratias
“Thanks be to God.”
Roman Catholic liturgy
What does “Deo gratias” mean?
Deo gratias translates as “Thanks be to God.”
A short expression of thanks or relief, used in church and in everyday speech when something has turned out well.
“Deo gratias” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Deo | to God, for God | dative singular of deus, “god”; the dative marks the one who receives the thanks |
| gratias | thanks | accusative plural of gratia, “thanks, gratitude, favour”; the object of an understood verb such as “we give” or “let there be” |
How to pronounce “Deo gratias”
The two differ only in the t of gratias: a plain t in Classical, a ts sound (as in “pizza”) in Church Latin. Stress falls on the first syllable of Deo and of gratias.
The story behind it
Word for word the phrase says “to God, thanks”, and the English “Thanks be to God” fills in the missing verb. It is a short formula of thanks, not a full sentence.
The phrase is Christian and comes from Late Antiquity. The same wording appears in the Latin Bible in Paul’s letters, for example in 2 Corinthians, where he gives thanks to God.
It has a fixed place in the Roman Catholic Mass as the people’s reply, notably to “Ite, missa est” at the dismissal and after the readings. In some places it is also said in everyday speech as a sigh of relief.
How to use “Deo gratias”
Fits a card of thanks, a tattoo or engraving for a person of faith, a caption after good news or a safe arrival, or an inscription on a chapel, gift or keepsake. It is a religious phrase, so it suits settings where that tone is welcome.
- Latin
- Deo gratias
- English
- Thanks be to God.
- Source
- Roman Catholic liturgy
- Era
- Late Antiquity
- Theme
- Gratitude
Common mistakes
- Deo is dative (“to God”). Writing Deus gratias or Deum gratias is wrong.
- Gratias is plural. The singular gratia means “grace” or “favour”, not “thanks”.
- It does not mean “thank God” in the casual sense only. In Latin it is a formal expression of thanks.
- Deo gratias is not the same as Gratias tibi ago, which means “I thank you” and is addressed to a person.
Questions about “Deo gratias”
What does “Deo gratias” mean literally?
“To God, thanks”, which in English becomes “Thanks be to God”.
When is “Deo gratias” said at Mass?
As the congregation’s response, notably after the readings and in reply to “Ite, missa est” at the end.
How do you pronounce “Deo gratias”?
Classical: DEH-oh GRAH-tee-ahs. Church Latin: DEH-oh GRAH-tsee-ahs. Stress the first syllable of each word.
Is “Deo gratias” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes. It is correct, classic wording with Deo in the dative and gratias in the accusative plural.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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