latin translation

[wizard69]

can anyone tell me what the latin would be for "hope against hope"?
thanks in advance

[chrisrich31]

spes obvium spes

[THECORBYLOON]

I got that from the Latin translator but on sites like that, I always check it against the English translation on the same site and that gives "hope on the way hope." However, if you use "Spes conta spes" that translates as "Hope against hope"

No doubt someone such as QM will gie the correct answer.

[nescio]

re Thecorbyloon's answer:

You mean contra rather than conta, and this takes the accusative as a preposition meaning against, so

spes contra spem

[MUMPING2]

This is TCL yes I did mean "conrta" I typed in yir translation on the site I used before but it doesn't recognise "spem." I can't mind a lot of the Latin I was taught at school so I'll take yir word on that.

[MUMPING2]

I can't type for toffee now, i meant C O N T R A.

[Quizmonster]

I go with 'spes contra spem'. I have to say that - in the circumstances, Nescio - you have a wonderful, name there!
(Thanks for your confidence, by the way, TCL.)

[dr john]

Yes, it's from Paul to the Romans 4:18, "Who believed in hope against hope" so it's in the accusative "spem contra spem" (spem, spem,spem, spem, spem...)

[moppettshow]

Far too much spem on this site.

[wizard69]

thanks guys,
very helpful.

[Quizmonster]

Yes, in your particular biblical sentence, Dr John, both instances of the word for 'hope' are clearly in the accusative case, but we were not provided with any such context. In a different sentence such as, "Hope against hope will have to be our motto now", the opening 'hope' is in the nominative case...ie 'spes'.

[Peter Pedant]

yeah, it's here

qui contra spem in spem credidit ut fieret pater multarum gentium secundum quod dictum est sic erit semen tuum

who against hope in hope believed.....

Jerome translates pisteuo as credo in + acc

Of course Paul didnt write in Latin, he wrote in Greek

[nescio]

QM

As to my AB name, I thought it was apposite , for most circumstances.