Latin quote · Faith

Dies irae

“Day of wrath.”

Medieval sequence ‘Dies irae’

Translation

What does “Dies irae” mean?

Dies irae translates as “Day of wrath.”

The Day of Judgement; used today for any day of reckoning.

Word by word

“Dies irae” word by word

Latin	English	Grammar
Dies	day	nominative singular (feminine here) of dies, “day”; the subject of the phrase
irae	of wrath	genitive singular of ira, “anger, wrath”; the genitive gives “day of wrath”

Pronunciation

How to pronounce “Dies irae”

Classical LatinDEE-ayss EE-rye

Church LatinDEE-ess EE-reh

The two systems differ mainly in the endings: classical dies has a long e (DEE-ayss) and irae ends in “eye”; church Latin makes it DEE-ess and EE-reh. Stress falls on the first syllable of both words.

Origin & context

The story behind it

Word for word the phrase is “day of wrath”. It is the opening line of a medieval Latin hymn, called a sequence, about the Last Judgement, when God judges the living and the dead.

The hymn is traditionally attributed to Thomas of Celano, a 13th-century Franciscan, though that attribution is traditional and not certain. Its opening words echo the Book of Zephaniah (1:15), which speaks of a day of wrath.

For centuries the Dies irae was sung in the Requiem Mass, the Catholic funeral liturgy. Composers from Mozart to Verdi set it to music, and its melody became a famous musical symbol of death. Today the phrase is also used loosely for any day of reckoning.

When to use it

How to use “Dies irae”

It suits a tattoo or print with a dark, dramatic edge, a title for music, art or writing about judgement or doom, or a caption for a day when everything comes due. In a religious or musical context, it points straight to the Requiem.

Latin: Dies irae
English: Day of wrath.
Source: Medieval sequence ‘Dies irae’
Era: Middle Ages
Theme: Faith

Good to know

Common mistakes

Dies is usually masculine in Latin but feminine here, as it often is when it means a particular, fixed day. This does not change the meaning, but it matters if you try to add an adjective.
Dies irae is only the first line. The full hymn is long, and the next lines (“Dies illa, dies irae… Day of wrath, that day”) continue the thought.
Irae is genitive, “of wrath”. It is not a verb, so the phrase does not mean “the day is angry”.
The two words alone are a fragment, not a complete sentence, so the English “Day of wrath” correctly has no verb either.

FAQ

Questions about “Dies irae”

What does “Dies irae” mean literally?

“Day of wrath”. Dies is “day” and irae, the genitive of ira, is “of wrath”.

Where does “Dies irae” come from?

It is the opening of a medieval Latin sequence on the Last Judgement, traditionally attributed to Thomas of Celano. Its wording echoes Zephaniah 1:15.

How do you pronounce “Dies irae”?

Classical: DEE-ayss EE-rye. Church Latin: DEE-ess EE-reh. Both stress the first syllable of each word.

Is “Dies irae” used in the Requiem Mass?

Yes. For centuries it was the sequence sung in the traditional Requiem Mass, and many composers have set it to music.

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