KTF/Language/IDIOMS

Klingon IDIOMS

An idiom is a phrase in which the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words. Klingons use many idioms, which can be difficult for non-Klingons to understand unless they are familiar with the actual rather than the literal meaning of the phrases. Some common Klingon idioms are summarized below. (Refs. 1,2)

DoS wIqIp (“We hit a target.”): We agree.

DoSmey DIqIp (“We hit scattered targets.”): We disagree.

Hoch jaghpu’Daj HoHpu’ (“He has killed all his enemies.”): He leads a meaningless life.

mIv je DaS (“Helmet and boot.”): In full dress uniform (usually for a ceremonial affair).

ngaQ logmIt (“The door is locked.”): The outcome is set or the plan cannot be changed.

Hoch nuH qel (“Consider every weapon.”): Think of all the possibilities.

qul DIr yISop! (“Eat the fire skin!”): Hurry up! (“fire skin” is a Klingon dish consisting of flaming pieces of animal skin that should be eaten while they are still on fire)

vIHtaH gho (“The hoop is moving.”): Act quickly.

vaj Duj DachIj (“You navigate a warrior ship.”): You have strength of character.

Dujmey law’ DachIjpu’ (“You have navigated many ships.”): You are experienced.

jop ’ej way’ (“Lunge and deflect.”): Have an argument.

pollaH pagh PolHa’laH (“Can either keep it or discard it.”): It doesn’t matter.

ghe’torvo’ narghDI’ qa’pu’ (“When spirits escape from Gre’thor.”): Never.

yItAD! (“Be frozen!”): Don’t move! (to an individual; to a group it would be petaD!)

qagh HoH (“Kill gagh.”): To do something counterproductive.

latlh HIvje’Daq ‘Iw HIq bIr yIqang! (Pour the cold bloodwine into another glass!): Tell it to someone who might care (or tell it to someone who might believe you).

DaH may’ bom pIm bom (“Now you sing a different battle song.”): That’s a different matter altogether (usually said when new information is revealed about a topic of conversation).

to’waQ yIv (“Chew ligament.”): Take time to think about it.

yInajchu’ (“Dream perfectly!”): Have good dreams (said to one’s children at bedtime or to close friends on the night before a battle).

bIQ ngaS HIvje’lIj (“Your cup contains water.”): You’re completely wrong.

wa’maH cha’ pemmey wa’maH cha’ rammey je (“Twelve days and twelve nights.”): It (an important event) will last a long time (Kahless and his brother Morath fought for twelve days and twelve nights after Morath broke his word).

bIQ’a’Daq ’oHtaH ’etlh’e’ (“The sword is in the ocean.”): There’s no turning back.

ghaH vuv SuS neH (“He wants the wind to respect him.”): He is a fool.

Ha’qujlIj nge’ (“Take away your sash.”): Wound your pride.

Doq bIQtIq (“The river is red.”): Something momentous has occurred (e.g., a major victory).

Suv cha’ qabDu’ (“Two faces fight.”): Two individuals are fighting each other one-on-one.

Suv qabDu’ law’ (“Many faces fight.”): Many are fighting each other (e.g., a brawl.).

quSDaq bIba’ (“You sit in a chair.”): You state the obvious.

pel’aQDaj ghorpa’ (“Before it breaks its shell.”): While there’s still time.

bo’Dagh’a’ lo’ (“Use a big scoop.”): Exaggerate.

bo’DaghHom lo’ (“Use a little scoop.”): Understate.

jej pach (“The claw is sharp.”): The food is good (pungent).

jejHa’ pach (“The claw is dull.”): The food is bad (bland).

cha’maH cha’ joQDu’ (“Twenty-two ribs.”): Something is missing or not quite right (Klingons have 23 ribs).



References

1 http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/.
2 Klingon for the Galactic Traveler, Mark Okrand, Pocket Books, 1997, pp. 105-127.