Spes bona
“Good hope.”
Motto of the University of Cape Town
What does “Spes bona” mean?
Spes bona translates as “Good hope.”
Confidence that things will turn out well.
“Spes bona” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Spes | hope | nominative singular feminine (fifth declension) of spes, “hope”; the subject or main noun of the phrase |
| bona | good | nominative singular feminine of bonus, “good”; agrees with spes |
How to pronounce “Spes bona”
The difference is small: in Classical Latin spes has a long e, like “ay” in “say”, while in Church Latin it is a short e, as in “bed”. Stress falls on the first syllable of both words.
The story behind it
Word for word the phrase says “good hope”. It has no verb: two words, a noun and an adjective, that read as a short motto.
It is the motto of the University of Cape Town in South Africa. The words recall the Cape of Good Hope, the headland near the city that gives the Cape its name in English.
As a motto it needs no explanation: it states a hopeful outlook in two words. That makes it easy to borrow for a card, a caption or a personal motto.
How to use “Spes bona”
A short, positive line for a tattoo, a motto for a new venture or school year, or a message of encouragement in a card. It also suits a graduation gift or a caption about starting something new.
- Latin
- Spes bona
- English
- Good hope.
- Source
- Motto of the University of Cape Town
- Era
- Modern
- Theme
- Hope
Common mistakes
- It is not a classical proverb. As a motto it is tied to the University of Cape Town, so avoid claiming an ancient author for it.
- Bona must agree with spes, which is feminine. Do not swap in the masculine bonus or the neuter bonum.
- Spes is a noun meaning “hope”, not a verb. For “I hope” you would need a different phrase, such as spero.
- The phrase is not the same as “Good Hope” as a place name; it simply echoes the Cape of Good Hope.
Questions about “Spes bona”
What does “Spes bona” mean literally?
“Good hope”. Spes is the noun “hope” and bona is the adjective “good”, agreeing with it.
Who said “Spes bona”?
It is not a quotation from an ancient author. It is the motto of the University of Cape Town, linked to the Cape of Good Hope.
How do you pronounce “Spes bona”?
In Classical Latin: spayss BOH-nah. In Church Latin: spess BOH-nah. Both stress the first syllable of each word.
Is “Spes bona” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes. It is a noun with a matching adjective, both feminine singular, so the grammar is sound. Just do not attribute it to a Roman author.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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