KTF/Language/SLANG

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Klingon SLANG

by Eric Schulman




Younger Klingons often use colloquial language or slang instead of standard words and phrases. They refer to slang as mu’mey ghOq (“fresh words”), in contrast to the mu’mey Doy’ (“tired words”) used by their elders. Many of these elders refer to standard language as mu’mey qar (“accurate words”) and look down on those who use slang. Despite this, slang is common among many Klingons, which can lead to confusion among listeners who aren’t familiar with this inventive language. Some common Klingon slang terms are summarized below using the following format: Slang term (“Literal translation of slang term.”): Slang meaning (Standard term, “Literal translation of standard term if it is different from the slang meaning”). ((1))


bachHa’ (“Shoot wrongly.”): Make a mistake (Qagh).

bej (“Watch.”): Be certain (Honbe’, “Not doubt”).

bochmoHwI’ (“One who shines.”): Flatterer (naDwI’, “One who praises”).

bolwI’ (“Drooler.”): Traitor (maghwI’, “One who betrays”).

buy’ ngop (“The plates are full.”): It is good to hear that (De’vetlh vIQoy, vaj jIQuch, “I am happy to hear that information”).

chatlh (“Soup.”): Nonsense (Dap).

chelwI’ (“One who adds.”): Someone who deals in finances (no standard equivalent).

chong (“Be vertical.”): Be profound (Qubchu’, “Think clearly”) / Good (maj).

chuH (“Throw a spear at.”): Explain clearly to (QIj, “Explain”).

Dach (“Be absent.”): Not pay attention (qImHa’).

Duj ngaDHa’ (“Unstable vessel.”): Undisciplined (ngIj, “Rowdy”).

ghIgh (“Necklace.”): Assignment (Qu’).

Haq (“Perform surgery.”): Intervene (mun).

Hom (“Bone.”): Weakling (pujwI’).

jav (“Six.”): Prisioner (qama’).

luH (“Yank.”): Cause to confess (DISmoH).

mo’ (“Cage.”): Reason (meq).

na’ (“Be salty.”): Be certain (Honbe’, “Not doubt”).

ngIb (“Ankle.”): [derogatory term].

ngup (“Cape.”): Authority (woQ).

pIn (“Boss.”): Expert (po’wI’).

qang (“Pour into”): Always agree with (reH Qochbe’, “Always agree”).

qu’ (“Be fierce.”): Be wonderful (Dun).

QaD (“Be dry”): Be protected (Qan, “Protect”).

Qom (“Experience a tremor”): Be hazardous (Qob, “Be dangerous”).

Qop (“Be worn out”): Be dead [food] (Heghpu’, “Has died”).

SaS (“Be horizontal.”): Be shallow (no standard equivalent) / not good (Do’Ha’, “Unfortunate”).

SIj (“Slash.”): Be clever (val).

Sub (“Be solid.”): Be brave (yoH).

tlham (“Gravity.”): Structure or order in a society (no standard equivalent).

tlhuH (“Breathe.”): Be exhilarated (Sey, “Be excited”).

vonlu’ (“Be trapped.”): Fail utterly (lujqu’, “Really fail”).

yeb (“Wrist.”): [derogatory term].

yIv (“Chew.”): Annoy (nuQ).

’Igh (Unknown): Be cursed (bI’Igh, “You are cursed”).




Sources
((1)) Klingon for the Galactic Traveler, Mark Okrand, Pocket Books, 1997, pp. 142-167.



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