Here’s What All The Harry Potter Spells Actually Mean

Because someone had to ruin the magic at some point.

Here’s What All The Harry Potter Spells Actually Mean

by Emily Giblett |
Published on

Harry Potter is part of our collective subconscious. If you can't name at least one spell at a moment's notice then the chances are you're actually an alien trying to impersonate human life and you have failed. It was only a matter of time before a nosey person with a Latin dictionary realised that all these mystic-sounding spells are mostly just literal translations. Here's the best of the bunch.

1. Wingardium Leviosa

Ahh, the spell that started it all. If Ron hadn't been a dick about Hermione's pronounciation of 'LeviOHsa not LevioSARR' then who knows what would have happened. Wingardium Leviosa is compounded of the English word 'wing', 'arduus' which means proudly elevated, and 'levo' - latin for rise up.

2. Expelliarmus

The disarming spell. This joins 'expello' (to disarm) with 'armus' (weaponry).

3. Petrificus Totalus

Not gonna lie, literally just included this one to remind everyone that Matthew Lewis was absolutely adorable before he blossomed into a veritable god amongst men. Petrificus Totalus combines 'petros' which means rock in Greek, 'facio', which means 'to make', and 'totalis', 'whole' in latin.

4. Stupefy

Described by HP himself as 'a wizards bread and butter really', Stupefy is one of the basics. It's derived from the latin 'stupeo' which, unsurprisingly means 'to be stunned'.

5. Lumos

Taken from the latin word 'lumen' - it means light.

6. Riddikulus

This one is pretty self-explanatory, but Alan Rickman in a coat and furs is too good a GIF not to include. Riddikulus literally translates from latin as 'laughable'

7. Obliviate

Hands up if you cried at this one. Obliviate comes from the medieval Latin 'obliviscor' which means 'I forget'.

8. Expecto Patronum

Put together, the latin that is the origin for Expecto Patronum translates to 'I wait for a protector'. Aww.

Other spells from the book that didn't make the cut for the film series include. Erecto a spell which makes things, ahem, erect, and the Conjunctivitus spell that causes irritation in an opponents eyes.

**Like this? Then you might be interested in: **

This Harry Potter Fan Theory Solves A Huge Plot Hole In The Series

Where Are All The Harry Potter Characters Now?

Follow Emily on Twitter @emgiblett

This article originally appeared on The Debrief.

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us