It’s no secret that the Harry Potter franchise has a cult-like following. In fact, avid fans have memorized not only the names of the characters and the storylines but the spells as well.
As it turns out, the spells in J.K. Rowling’s masterpiece have scientific meanings behind it. Here are 13 of the Harry Potter spells and their translations.
Wands at the ready.
1. “Accio” — summoning charm
In Latin, the verb “accersere” means “to summon or fetch.” Just like the rest of the spells in Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling altered the pronunciation and spelling.
2. “Confundo” — to confuse enemies
Con = “with or together” and fundo = “to pour.”
3. “Crucio” — to cause excruciating pain to opponents
The translation of “Crucio” is “I torture.”
Hermione placed a memory charm on her parents in “Deathly Hallows.”
4. “Imperio” — to control another wizard
The Latin word “impero” means “I command.”
5. “Diffindo” — to sever
The Latin translation “Diffindo” is “I split” or “break off.”
6. “Lumos” — to ignite the tip of the wand
“Lumen” means “light” in a mock-Greek adaptation.
“You foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach!” – Hermione Granger
7. “Nox” — to remove the light from the wand, opposite of “Lumus”
“Nox” means “night.”
8. “Expelliarmus” — to disarm the enemy
The Latin word “expello” means“I banish,” and “arma” means “weapons.”
9. “Sectumsempra” — to slash enemy with a sword
“Sectum” is Latin for “having been cut.”
“If Voldemort is raising an army, then I want to fight.” – Harry Potter
10. “Avis” — to create a flock of birds
“Avis” means “bird” in Latin.
11. “Wingardium Leviosa” — to levitate
The first word is “wing” is English, but it was followed by a Latin word “arduus,” which means “steep,” and “Levo” means “I lift.”
12. “Homenum Revelio” — to know if humans are present
The Latin words “hominem revelo” means “I unveil the man.”
“It’s levi-OH-sa, not levio-SAH.”
13. “Priori Incantatem” — to reverse a spell
“A priori” means “from the earlier” and “incantare” means “sing or recite.”
