Semper reformanda
“Always in need of being reformed.”
Dutch Reformed tradition, 17th century
What does “Semper reformanda” mean?
Semper reformanda translates as “Always in need of being reformed.”
An institution must keep examining and correcting itself rather than assume it is finished.
“Semper reformanda” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Semper | always | adverb; it does not change form |
| reformanda | needing to be reformed, to be reformed | gerundive (future passive participle) of reformo, “I reform”; feminine nominative singular, agreeing with ecclesia in the full slogan; it carries the sense of necessity or obligation |
How to pronounce “Semper reformanda”
Both pronunciations sound the same here, since the words have no c, g, v or ae before e or i. Stress the first syllable of semper and the third, MAHN, of reformanda.
The story behind it
Word for word the phrase says “always to be reformed”, meaning “always in need of being reformed”. It is a shortened form of the longer slogan “Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda”, “the church reformed, always to be reformed”.
The full slogan grew out of the Dutch Reformed movement of the 17th century. The idea behind it is older: the Protestant Reformers held that a church that has been reformed once must keep checking itself against scripture.
Reformed and Presbyterian churches still use the phrase to call for continual self-examination. Outside church life it is sometimes borrowed for any institution or person that should keep improving rather than assume the work is done.
How to use “Semper reformanda”
It suits a tattoo, a desk motto or a print for anyone who wants a standing reminder to keep questioning and improving their own work or habits. It also fits an essay or talk on church history, reform movements or institutions that must renew themselves.
- Latin
- Semper reformanda
- English
- Always in need of being reformed.
- Source
- Dutch Reformed tradition, 17th century
- Era
- Early Modern
- Theme
- Change
Common mistakes
- The phrase is usually quoted without its subject. In the full slogan the feminine reformanda agrees with ecclesia (church). Applied to a masculine or plural subject the ending changes: reformandus, reformandi.
- It is not a medieval or ancient Roman saying. It belongs to the Dutch Reformed tradition of the 17th century, so do not credit it to the Reformers of the 1500s such as Luther or Calvin.
- It does not mean “always reforming”. The gerundive reformanda means “that must be reformed”, so the sense is need or obligation, not simply ongoing activity.
Questions about “Semper reformanda”
What does “Semper reformanda” mean literally?
“Always to be reformed”. The gerundive reformanda expresses obligation, so the usual English rendering is “always in need of being reformed”.
Who said “Semper reformanda”?
No single author is credited. It comes from the Dutch Reformed tradition of the 17th century, as a short form of “Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda”.
How do you pronounce “Semper reformanda”?
In both Classical and Church Latin it is roughly SEM-per reh-for-MAHN-dah, with the stress on the first syllable of semper and on MAHN.
Is “Semper reformanda” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes, it is grammatical, with the feminine ending agreeing with ecclesia in the full slogan. On its own it works as a general motto, though some purists prefer the full phrase or a masculine form for a person.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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