New Klingon Words
The words listed here were revealed or expanded upon after the publication of The Klingon Dictionary and Klingon for the Galactic Traveler. This list was originally compiled and maintained for many years by Will Martin (a.k.a. charghwI'), then it was curated by Alan Anderson (a.k.a. ghunchu'wI'), and has now been handed over to a team of volunteers lead by Tali Smith (a.k.a. tIjey). Note that not all of these words are perfectly defined, and the list is subject to additions, deletions, and emendations as our knowledge increases. The choice of what words deserve to be included in this list is up to the team. Send them suggestions for additional entries, realizing that only words from confirmed Okrand sources will be accepted, and the source must be cited. See the explanation at the bottom of this list for source abbreviation descriptions.
In order not to compete with Dr. Okrand's income via royalties, the vocabulary of TKD and KGT will not be reproduced here. For a complete word list, combine this list with the ones in those two books.
Last updated: 2025-04-14
chabal
n
something desired or requested
qepHom 2015 p.12
chach Duj
n
ambulance
TN!LK
chaDvay'
n
Hertz (frequency)
from veS QonoS, HolQeD, v1n3p9
chal bIQ
n
rain [Maltz said that you'd probably only say this if, for example, you were referring to, say, a puddle of water on the ground and wanted to be clear that the puddle resulted from rain and not some other source or if you wanted to say what it is that's dripping from your wet head since you didn't just step out of the shower (obviously you didn't -- you're a Klingon). Otherwise the puddle or hair water would be simply bIQ (perhaps with some modifier or other).]
qep'a' 24
chal chuch
n
snow [A solid block of ice would be chuch ngogh. For shaved ice or the kind of ice in a sno-cone or smoothie, chuch is usually sufficient.]
qep'a' 24
chal qul
n
aurora [From chabal tetlh: "atmospheric phenomenon created by charged particles from the sun striking the upper atmosphere, creating coloured lights in the sky".] [Request]
qep'a' 31
chalqach
n
tower [qep'a' wa'maH SochDIch]
paq'batlh
chan
n
eastward, area toward the east (90 degrees on Terran 360 degree compass with north as 0 and degrees counted clockwise)
HolQeD v8n4p6
chan nagh
n
andesite [From chabal tetlh: "extrusive volcanic rock composed of mostly plagioclase plus pyroxene or hornblende".] [Request]
qep'a' 31
chang'eng
n
pair
BoP Poster
chap
v
be official, authenticated, authorized, legitimate
qep'a' 29
chaS
n
top of walking cane or ceremonial cane
HolQeD v12n2p7
chav
n
function (mathematics) [From chabal tetlh: "a relation in which each element of the domain is associated with exactly one element of the codomain".] [Request]
qep'a' 31
chaw'
n
permit [This entry was missing from the Klingon-English side of TKD, though it is used as a noun in PK: cha'puj vIngevmeH chaw' HInobneS.]
PK
chaw' ngoq
n
password, passphrase, passcode
qepHom 13
chay
n
sound of letter ch [alphabet ]
qep'a' 16
cha'bIp
n
a bird noted for its speed
HolQeD v10n4p4
cha'DaSvI'
n
a Klingon game that is similar to golf in that it involves precisely aiming a projectile [Maltz thought Terran golf was far too tame to be referred to as tera' cha'DaSvI'.] [Request]
qep'a' 29
cha'DIch
n
second, aide
TKW p21
cha'Do'
n
a species of Klingon bird about which little is known
HolQeD v10n4p4
cha'naS
n
a small bird which digs up bugs to eat
HolQeD v10n4p4
cha'neH
n
forearm [When used alone, it means "forearm." But when preceded by 'uS, it means "lower part of the leg." You could also say DeS cha'neH for "forearm," but this would probably be used only in a context where you were talking about both the forearm and the lower leg and wanted to clarify which was which.]
qepHom 10, Hamletmachine
cha'par
n
a bird noted for its song
HolQeD v10n4p4
cha'qu'
n
a bird with a noisy, repetitive cry
HolQeD v10n4p4
cha''etlh pe'wI'
n
scissors
TN!LK
cheb
n
unit weight approx. 5 pounds (2.25kg)
MSN
cheb'a'
n
unit weight approx. 45-46.4 pounds (20.4-21.05 kg) (9-9.28 cheb) [The numbers don't quite mesh, but this is the best I can figure from different equivalences we've been given.]
BoP poster
chegh
v
return (to) (direct object is place returned to)
NEWS
chem
n
field (physical)
qepHom 2024
chen
v
take form [used in math where the subject is the result of the formula statement (typically using some form of the verb boq). The chen statement follows the boq statement with a semicolon dividing them in Okrand's notation.]
HolQeD v9n3p9
chen tu'qom
n
in formation [For example: tlhaj negh; chen tu'qom. The soldiers march; a configuration/pattern forms (more naturally: The soldiers march in formation).
It's possible to be more specific, using, for example, ra'Duch, triangle, or wej war(mey), four columns, instead of the more general tu'qom.] [Request]
qep'a' 30
chen'ong
n
maze
qep'a' 25
chenHa' meyrI'
v
fail to climax (slang), lit. "the square malforms" [Maltz was mystified by this.]
qepHom 2020
cheq
v
tornado [You can also say ver SuS'a' "a tornado happens" (literally: "the big wind spirals"). ver SuS (or ver SuSHom) would most likely refer to a whirlwind.]
qep'a' 24
chertIS Su'ghar Sawqe'
n
mint candy, candy mint [Sometimes shortened to chertIS Sawqe'. chertIS of course, is a Klingon plant, but its taste resembles Terran peppermint. It also resembles Terran spearmint. So maybe a better translation of chertIS Su'ghar Sawqe' is just "mint candy" or "candy mint."]
qepHom 2023
cheS
n
an animal with long ears, similar to an Earth rabbit
qep'a' 23
cheSqa'
n
Czech Republic
qepHom 15
chevwI' tlhoy'
n
territorial wall (e.g. Berlin Wall)
NEWS
cha''etlh DaSwI'
n
tweezer [This is considered singular (that is, several pairs of tweezers are cha''etlh DaSwI'mey). The word was formed by analogy to cha''etlh pe'wI' scissors, with DaS pinch replacing pe' cut.] [Request]
qep'a' 27
choghvat
n
porch [Sometimes qach choghvat, sometimes choghvat pa'. This word (which is really the word for gangplank) is used for this part of a structure even if there are no stairs or ramps involved.] [Request]
qep'a' 27
chul
v
be wise [Refers to demonstrating good judgment based on experience, not just intelligance or book-learning.] [Request]
qep'a' 27
chIq
v
cross, transverse
qepHom 15
chIrnagho'ra
proper n
Montenegro
qepHom 2023
chIvay'bruqen
n
Zweibr?cken
qepHom 2024
chIvo'
n
total dishonor, absolute lack of honor [STID]
qepHom 12
chIw
v
express, embody, exude, epitomize [STID]
qepHom 12
chI'ID
n
uterus
qepHom 17
chI'lIy
n
chili [This is used when referring to a prepared dish (chili con carne; chili for short or when there's no meat in it). It's not used for a pepper by itself.]
qepHom 2023
chob
n
corridor
BoP Poster
chob'a'
n
main corridor
BoP Poster
choj
v
train, coach
qepHom 2024
chol
v
close in on, get closer to [-Daq is not needed on its object]
qepHom 2019
chongHa'
v
be italic [typeface]
Feb 2018 email to De'vID
choq
v.t.
preserve[, save]
TKW p211
choQ
n
deck (on a ship)
BoP Poster
choQpel
n
pull-up [This exercise (or maneuver) is used with the verb mI', as in choQpel vImI', I do a pull-up/pull-ups, I perform a pull-up/pull-ups, I execute a pull-up/pull-ups.
This word is used both for the common exercise involving gripping a bar as well as for pulling oneself up to the top of a wall.
The term is used whether the palms of the hands are facing towards or away from the exerciser. If a distinction must be made, however, the following terminology is used:
chap choQpel, pull-up (overhand grip, palms face away)
toch choQpel, chin-up (underhand grip, palms face exerciser)
When one uses the choQpel technique to exercise, there may be any number of repetitions of the same movements.] [Request]
qep'a' 30
choSan
proper n
Korea [Also Hanghuq. Both terms are used (Klingons are very confused by this). Based on the origin of the name, this refers to North Korea.] [Request]
qep'a' 28
chotmang
n
assassination [The request was for "a criminal term with the morpheme -mang". Maltz said you can't stick mang freely onto any verb (except, of course, in wordplay); it's not a nominalizing suffix.] [Request]
qep'a' 30
chotlh
v
stare at, gaze at, observe [This is used when the subject is looking at something intently, with a lot of focus. It can also be used (often without an object) to mean staring off into space, staring at nothing in particular, zoning out, staring in a way that's not particularly focused. Context clarifies which is meant.] [Request]
QelIS boqHarmey
choy
v
smuggle (only for people)
qepHom 2024
choywI'
n
smuggler (only for people)
qepHom 2024
chuD
n
people, kin, member of the same group or tribe or clan (very similar to vInDa') [STID]
qepHom 12
chum
v
be colorful [Friends of Maltz: Qov]
qep'a' 23
chungHa'wI'
n
brake
qepHom 15
chuq'a'
n
long range
BoP Poster
chuq'a' leghwI'
n
space telescope [This is like the Hubble, not a Hov tut.]
qepHom 17
chur
v
be uncomfortable [because of clothes, room temperature, etc. (involved with physical unpleasantness)]
qep'a' 24
churHa'
v
be comfortable [because of clothes, room temperature, etc. (involved with physical pleasantness)]
qep'a' 24
chut qeSwI'
n
lawyer
qepHom 2017
chuv
n
leftover
qepHom 2015 p.12
chuv
n
leftover [Adding the use for change as in leftover money]
qepHom 2020
chuy
v
sneeze
HolQeD, v12n4p8
Count:85
Works Cited
- CK
- Okrand, Marc. (1992). Conversational Klingon (audio cassette). New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN: 5-022-73903-6391
- FFN
- Festival of the Spoken Nerd (2015). Full Frontal Nerdity DVD. Laughing Stock. ISBN: 0-671-79739-5
- Hamletmachine
- Translation by Lieven Litaer of Heiner Müller's 1977 play Die Hamletmaschine. (link)
- HolQeD
- (1992 to present). The quarterly journal of the Klingon Language Institute. Assorted interviews with and articles by Marc Okrand. ISSN: 1061-2327
- KCD
- Okrand, Marc. (1992). Star Trek: Klingon, CD-ROM. New York: Simon & Schuster Interactive. ISBN: 0-671-52873-4
- Monopoly
- (2011). MONOPOLY® – Star Trek Klingon Limited Edition, board game. USAopoly/Hasbro.
- OZ
- 'aS 'IDnar pIn'a' Dun, Jackson Bradley's translation of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
- PCHC
- Chase Masterson (2016). Pop Culture Hero Coalition message. Facebook. (link)
- PK
- Levine, Barry & Okrand, Marc. (1993). Power Klingon: Master the Language of Warriors (audio cassette). New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN: 0-671-87975-8
- qepHom
- An annual meeting of Klingonists in Germany. The first such qepHom took place in 2002. (The word can refer to any minor gathering, but this list uses it exclusively for the organized German meeting.)
- qep'a'
- The annual conference of the Klingon Language Institute. Marc Okrand is often in attendance. qep'a' wa'DIch was held in 1994. (The word can refer to any convention or conference, but this list uses it exclusively for the KLI's annual meeting.)
- TKD
- Okrand, Marc. (1985 & 1992). The Klingon Dictionary, 2nd ed. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN: 0-671-74559-X
- TKW
- Okrand, Marc. (1996). Star Trek: The Klingon Way: A Warrior's Guide. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN: 0-671-53755-5
- TN!LK
- (2011). Talk Now! Learn Klingon. EuroTalk, Ltd. ISBN: 1-846-06606-9
- veS QonoS
- (1990). Newsletter of Mortas-Te-Kaase, a defunct Klingon club. Some new words from Marc Okrand appeared, and a subset of these were later used in CK. The entire list was reprinted by permission of both Okrand and the club in HolQeD 1:3.