Liquidum non frangit ieiunium
“Liquid does not break the fast.”
Traditional ecclesiastical principle
What does “Liquidum non frangit ieiunium” mean?
Liquidum non frangit ieiunium translates as “Liquid does not break the fast.”
A traditional rule that drinks did not count as breaking a religious fast. Today it is often quoted with a smile, especially about the history of beer and chocolate drinks during Lent.
“Liquidum non frangit ieiunium” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Liquidum | liquid, a liquid | nominative singular neuter (subject) of the adjective liquidus, “liquid”, used here as a noun meaning “something liquid” |
| non | not | adverb of negation, placed before the verb |
| frangit | breaks | third person singular present indicative active of frango, “I break” |
| ieiunium | the fast, fasting | accusative singular neuter (direct object) of ieiunium, “fast, fasting” |
How to pronounce “Liquidum non frangit ieiunium”
The main differences are in liquidum (the i is short in classical Latin, longer in Church Latin), in frangit (hard g in classical, j-sound in Church Latin), and in the final -ium of ieiunium (the i is a vowel in both).
The story behind it
Word for word the line says “liquid does not break fast”. It is a short legal-style maxim of the Church, not a line from a classical author, and no single author or date is known for it.
Fasting rules in the medieval and early modern Church limited solid food on fast days. The principle that drinks did not break the fast was widely invoked in that discipline, and it is why the question of whether drinking chocolate counted was argued over.
Today the phrase is mostly quoted with a smile. It is popular in jokes about monastic brewing, Lenten beer and chocolate drinks, and it appears on signs and mugs in cafés and taprooms.
How to use “Liquidum non frangit ieiunium”
Best as a cheeky sign for a café, a brewery taproom or a Lent-season coffee mug, or as a caption on a joke about giving things up for Lent. It suits light-hearted contexts better than serious religious ones.
- Latin
- Liquidum non frangit ieiunium
- English
- Liquid does not break the fast.
- Source
- Traditional ecclesiastical principle
- Era
- Middle Ages
- Theme
- Humor
Common mistakes
- It is a traditional Church maxim, not a quote from a Roman author. Do not credit it to Cicero or any named writer.
- Do not read it as a modern rule. Fasting rules have changed, and the principle is not current Church teaching in this blunt form.
- Watch the word order and endings: liquidum is the subject and ieiunium the object. Swapping them would give a different sentence.
Questions about “Liquidum non frangit ieiunium”
What does “Liquidum non frangit ieiunium” mean literally?
“Liquid does not break the fast.” Liquidum is the subject (“a liquid”), frangit means “breaks”, and ieiunium is “the fast”.
Who said “Liquidum non frangit ieiunium”?
No single author is known. It is a traditional ecclesiastical principle from medieval and early modern Church discipline.
How do you pronounce “Liquidum non frangit ieiunium”?
Classical: LIH-kwih-doom nohn FRAHN-gihit yeh-YOO-nih-oom. Church Latin: LEE-kwee-doom nohn FRAHN-jit yeh-YOO-nee-oom.
Is “Liquidum non frangit ieiunium” good Latin for a sign or mug?
Yes, the grammar is sound and the phrase is a recognised traditional saying, which makes it a fun choice for a sign or mug.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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