This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
Nota bene is a mark or note that draws special attention to something important. The word comes from the Latin phrase nota bene: "note well," and more naturally in English — "pay attention" or "take note." Its abbreviated forms NB and N.B. can be seen in books, notes, letters, and instructions.
This brief indication is rooted in an ancient reading habit: highlighting passages that one wants to return to. Today, there are markers, bookmarks, and bold text for this purpose. In handwritten books, readers and scribes had their ways of saying, "Look here more closely."
How nota bene is translated
The Latin nota is the imperative form of the verb notare: "to mark," "to note." Bene means "well." Thus, the phrase is directed directly at the reader and suggests something important to note or remember.
The Ukrainian equivalent depends on the situation. Before a condition in instructions, "pay attention" is appropriate; before an important clarification — "important"; in educational material — "remember." All of them convey the main function of nota bene: to highlight information that should not be missed.
Despite its familiar sound, nota here does not mean a musical note. In this Latin phrase, it is a verb, and the phrase itself can be perceived as a brief remark from the author or reader in the margins.
From marks in manuscripts to notes in letters
In medieval manuscripts, margins were places for active engagement with the text. There, unclear words were explained, comments were left, and important thoughts were marked. Such notes in the margins are called marginalia. Among them were the word nota and its abbreviated and stylized forms, which directed attention to a specific passage.
A digital exhibition from the libraries of the University of Kansas describes an Italian manuscript from the 15th century, where the scribe placed the abbreviation "No" almost next to every sentence. In this case, this abbreviation comes from nota, not negation. For special emphasis, he also drew a manicule — a small hand with an outstretched finger, pointing to the important place.
Functionally, such a hand resembles modern underlining or an arrow next to a paragraph. At the same time, medieval marks took various forms: one should not imagine that all scribes used the familiar letters N.B.
This example well illustrates the weak point of any highlighting: when almost everything is marked as important, it becomes harder for the reader to understand what truly needs focus.
Nota bene in Ukrainian literature
The word "нотабене" has long been present in the Ukrainian language. It was used, in particular, by Taras Shevchenko in the poem "Neophytes", written in 1857:
Thus, nota bene, they added,That the bronze Caesar will beAnd will show mercy.
This episode speaks of the glorification of the Caesar and the making of his bronze image. To this, they add the promise that the bronze Caesar will also show mercy to people.
In this context, "нотабене" can be read as an ironic "and, note." It draws attention to an absurd detail and enhances the satirical tone of the passage. It is no longer just a mark next to the text but part of the author's intonation.
Nota bene or notabene: how to write it correctly
The Latin phrase is written as two words — nota bene. The borrowed Ukrainian word is written as one: нотабене. The spelling "нота бене" in Ukrainian letters conveys the sound of the Latin phrase, but the dictionary form of the Ukrainian word is indeed "нотабене."
The stress falls on "бе": нотабе́не. It is a neuter noun that does not decline: "important нотабене," "to place нотабене," "to mark a passage with a нотабене sign." There is also the form нотабена in dictionaries.
If you use the abbreviation, the possible variants are NB and N.B. Both are formed from the initial letters of the Latin words. They should be written in Latin letters N and B, although the second one visually coincides with the Ukrainian В.
Within a single text, it is better to stick to one formatting option. For example:
NB: Prior registration is required for participation.
Here, the colon separates the mark from the explanation that needs attention.
How "нотабене" changes the intonation of a sentence
Ukrainian dictionaries record "нотабене" both as the name of a mark and in the meaning of an insert word. In the latter case, it is set off by commas:
This proposal, нотабене, was supported by the participants themselves.
The actual message will remain clear even without the insert word. However, with it, an additional emphasis appears: the author suggests noting who exactly supported the proposal. Perhaps this was unexpected or important for the further conversation.
In another context, the word may sound like a restrained reproach:
He was late again — and, нотабене, to the meeting he himself scheduled.
The irony arises from the juxtaposition of two circumstances: the person organized the meeting and was late themselves. Нотабене emphasizes this contradiction.
Thus, the word itself does not imply irony or dissatisfaction. It directs attention, and the specific shade is created by the sentence. In a literary or journalistic text, such a bookish intonation may be appropriate. In a short working message, it is often more natural to write "note" or "pay attention."
How N.B. differs from P.S.
Both marks can appear at the end of a message, but they serve different purposes. P.S. comes from the Latin post scriptum — "after what has been written" — and denotes an addition to an already completed text. N.B. highlights particularly important information regardless of its location.
For example, "P.S. I added a few photos from the event" is an additional message. In contrast, "NB: The start time has changed from 18:00 to 17:00" draws attention to a change that the reader needs to consider.
Therefore, N.B. does not necessarily have to be left until the end. If a note contains a condition for participation, an exception to the rule, or a change in agreement, it should be placed where the reader will definitely see it. And use it sparingly: one well-placed нотабене is more noticeable than a series of warnings next to every paragraph.
