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
mab
n
agreement, contract, commitment
qepHom 15
mab
n
account [information associated with personal access to a computer system]
Feb 2018 email to De'vID
mabeb
n
toad-like or frog-like creature [A mabeb resembles frogs and toads, but is neither one, really, so tera' mabeb can be used to refer to any of the various Earth frogs and toads.]
qep'a' 26
mabeb Duj
n
amphibious vehicle (slang)
qepHom 2024
maDyar
N
Hungary
TN!LK
magh
v.t.
betray
MSN and HolQeD v5n3p15 - S26
magh
n
Klingon plant that most closely resembles grass
qep'a' 23
magh gha'naD
n
hay [From chabal tetlh: "grass or other leafy vegetable matter cut and dried and used and used as animal fodder".
See also fodder.] [Request]
qep'a' 31
magh yotlh
n
lawn
qep'a' 23
maghrIb
n
Morocco
qepHom 15
maH
num
ten (combining form)/(number-forming element) [The E-K listing somewhat confusingly includes {maH} as "Ten (combining form) while the K-E lists it as "ten (number-forming element). There is no such confusion over words for hundred, thousand, ten-thousand, etc.]
TKD
maHSaghan
num
10 billion [as a number-forming element, it is preceded by a digit 1-9] [Request]
qep'a' 27
maH'uy'
num
10 million [as a number-forming element, it is preceded by a digit 1-9] [Request]
qep'a' 27
majaj
n
cabbage, lettuce [closest Klingon equivalent closer to lettuce than to cabbage, but could be used for either Terran plant] [Request]
qep'a' 28
majyang
n
tile [Marc Okrand email 2012-01-09]
qepHom
majyang mIllogh
n
mosaic
qepHom 15
majyang mutlhwI'
n
tiler [Marc Okrand email 2012-01-09]
qepHom
maleSya'
N
Malasia
Marc Okrand email to Lieven January 2018
malja' HIp
n
suit, business suit [or just HIp]
qepHom 2024
malta
proper n
Malta
qepHom 2023
manta'
n
pod [Seed case of HapmaH and similar plants. Not used for escape pods and the like. Also used for cocoon.] [Request]
qep'a' 31
manggha
n
station (train) [Place where a medium/long range transport arrive and depart.] [Request]
qep'a' 26
maqDar
n
mak'dar, Klingon insult
qepHom 2020
maqlegh
n
priest [This is gender-neutral. In translating, if a distinction between "priest" and "priestess" is required, add loD or be'.]
qep'a' 26
maQ
n
sign, omen [qep'a' wa'maH SochDIch]
paq'batlh
maQmIgh
n
dark omen, sign of evil coming
veS QonoS, listed in HolQeD, v1n3p9
mar
v
use the big toe
HolQeD v10n2p10
mara
proper n
Mara, TOS "Day of the Dove" Kang's wife & Sci. officer
TKD p58
mara'qIS
n
Marrakesh [loanword]
qepHom 2024
marIS
N
Mars (planet) [The "scientific" name of the planet is Sol loS.]
January 2020 email to DeSDu'
marQen
n
eddy (in water)
qep'a' 25
marwI'
n
big toe, first toe
HolQeD v10n2p7
maSIr
N
Egypt
TN!LK
maSmelo' Su'ghar Sawqe'
n
marshmallow [Sometimes shortened to maSmelo' Sawqe' or just maSmelo'.]
qepHom 2023
maSquwa'
N
Moscow
qep'a' 26
matlh
proper n
Maltz
TKD p58
maw
N
Mao [transliteration]
Hamletmachine
may
n
sound of letter m [alphabet]
qep'a' 16
maySon
n
superconductivity [For "be superconductive," say maySon chIw express superconductivity or the like] [Request]
qep'a' 27
may' Sut
n
body armor (battle clothing)
qepHom 2015 p.14
may'ron raS
n
piano [not a Klingon instrument]
qepHom 2020
ma'egh
n
premiere [first presentation or introduction of something. Does not only refer to the situation of the release, but also the event: "I went to the premiere of the new Star Trek". In this case: the premiere of a movie, that was never shown before.]
qepHom 2021
ma'veq
n
a ceremonial knife used in the ritual of *Mauk To'Vor*. One Federation Standard spelling of this weapon's name is {M'veQ}.
http://www.klingon.org/KIWG/ - Klingon spelling confirmed via Email by Okrand
megh'an
n
end (of stick, rope, etc.), other end from {'er'In} [This can refer to either end of the rope, stick or whatever, but once you arbitrarily choose an end to call {megh'an}, the OTHER end is called {'er'In}. Before you make this initial reference, either end can be called either {'er'In} or {megh'an}.]
HolQeD v12n2p6
meHghem
n
arts, the arts, culture [A bigger, more comprehensive term covering "the arts" or "art" as opposed to "science." So it includes music, theater, dance, etc. as well as visual art. It's "culture" in this sense.]
qepHom 15
mej
v
leave [refers simply to leaving one's current location]
qepHom 2019
mejnay
n
apron (clothing)
qepHom 2019
mej'aD
n
artery
qepHom 2015 p.14
mellota'
proper n
Melota - proper name from Klingon Opera
TKW p187
mel'ogh
n
chrysalis [This refers more generally to anything on its way to becoming something else. For example, it could be used for a lump of clay being transformed into a pot (but not yet a pot). As slang, it could refer to a student or athlete in training.]
QelIS boqHarmey
men
v
have an area of
MiniaturWunderland
menggho' naH
n
mango
TN!LK
meq
n
topic, subject, theme [of a conversation, story, etc; literally "reason, motive"]
qep'a' 25
meqba'
n
type of legal proceeding; portion of the trial or appeal where evidence is heard
Addendum; Star Trek Encyclopedia
meS
v
knot [message to Lieven 2014-11-??]
qepHom 13
meS
v
encrypt (slang) [message to Lieven 2014-11-??]
qepHom 13
meS
n
knot [message to Lieven 2014-11-??]
qepHom 13
meSHa'
v
decrypt (slang) [message to Lieven 2014-11-??]
Maltz
mevyap
excl
stop, enough already [Described in the body text: "it comes from two Klingon verbs, {mev} ("stop, cease") and {yap} ("be enough, be sufficient"). No doubt in the past, the locution was longer, perhaps {yImev, yap!} ("stop! it's enough"). The dropping of the imperative prefix {yI-, pe-} is what would be expected in Clipped Klingon. The two words have been used in juxtaposition for so long, they have come to be accepted as a single, though grammatically peculiar, word."]
KGT p113
mew'
v
cope (with)
qepHom 2023
meyIS tIr
n
corn, sweet corn
TN!LK
meyrI'
n
square [Got this from http://www.livejournal.com/community/klingon/ entry August 1, 2005 by ubykhlives]
qep'a' 12
mey'
n
polygon [Marc Okrand email 2014-01-27]
qepHom 12
mey' HoS
n
regular polygon [DYM]
qepHom 13
me'
n
aunt, mother's sister
HolQeD v9n3p8
me'cheD
n
cross (+), ex (x)
qep'a' 25
me'nal
n
aunt, mother's brother's wife
HolQeD v9n3p8
mIl
v
be formerly honored [loss of honor is implied; an adjective to describe one who has fallen from grace; not applicable to {'utlh}, which implies a voluntary, honorable retirement]
HolQeD, v12n3p8
mIllogh
n
picture, (visual) depiction [Marc Okrand email 2010-11-15]
qepHom 9
mIllogh meyrI'
n
single-panel cartoon
qep'a' 29
mIllogh mIr
n
comic strip
qep'a' 29
mIllogh ngutlh
n
hieroglyph [A hieroglyph corresponds to a linguistic element (word, affix, sound, whatever) whereas a pictogram corresponds to a concept or idea. Hieroglyphics is a form of writing; pictograms are not writing. Since ngutlh refers specifically to symbols used to represent language, mIllogh ngutlh makes sense for hieroglyph. A hieroglyphic writing system is a form of logography, that is, a system in which, basically, a character represents a word. So mIllogh ngutlh could be used for the broader logograph as well as hieroglyph. In the Toki Pona book, there's a table of hieroglyphs. In the introduction to this table, it seems the terms hieroglyph and logogram could be used interchangeably, so mIllogh ngutlh remains a good choice. But a distinction is made between these hieroglyphs/logograms (sitelen pona) and another set called "sitelen sitelen" in which logograms appear combined into single symbols rather than being displayed one after the other. Since the logograms used in the "sitelen sitelen" system are logograms (though not the same as the logograms in the "sitelen pona" system), mIllogh ngutlh can be used for these components.
All of this boils down to: Sure, mIllogh ngutlh is fine for hieroglyph as used in the book.]
All of this boils down to: Sure, mIllogh ngutlh is fine for hieroglyph as used in the book.]
qep'a' 29
mIllogh qol
n
animation, cartoon [This refers to animation only, not cartoons in the newspaper.] [Request]
qep'a' 28
mIllogh qonwI'
n
camera
TN!LK
mIllogh qonwI' qoSta'
n
film
TN!LK
mIl'oD ngeb
n
teddy bear
TN!LK
mIn QanwI' nguv
n
sunglasses
TN!LK
mIn tojwI'
n
optical illusion
November 2016 email to Lieven
mIn yuq
v
perform magic [referring to a stage magician]
November 2016 email to Lieven
mIn yuqwI'
n
magician [the most common way to refer to a stage magician]
November 2016 email to Lieven
mInyoD
n
eyelid [literally "eye shield", used in Klingon Hamlet]
qep'a' 25
mIr
n
streak [literally "chain"]
qep'a' 25
mIrSam
n
(smoking) pipe
May 2018 email to Rhona
mIStaq
proper n
sculptor who made Blood Oath Circles
KCD
mIt
v
be appropriate, be suitable, be proper for the situation, circumstances
qep'a' 25
mItlh
v
forge (metal)
qepHom 15
mItlhon
n
smaller sail
qep'a' 25
mIv
n
hat
TN!LK
mIvwa'
n
scar (result of a wound, regardless of how the wound occurred)
qep'a' 24
mIvwa'mey
n
tally, (total) score, census, headcount
Feb 2018 email to De'vID
mIw
n
recipe, formula (procedure, process) [This is generally used for this, but step-by-step instructions can also be referred to as HIl'aD. The word for "ingredient" is qurme', so if a "formula" is the list of the ingredients of something (like a secret formula for the special sauce on a Big Mac), that's qurme'mey.] [Request]
qep'a' 26
mIyama
n
Burma/Myanmar
qepHom 15
mI' mergh
n
complex number [From chabal tetlh: "a number incorporating the square root of negative one".]
qep'a' 31
mI' mIr
n
sequence of numbers [so also the Fibonacci-sequence]
qepHom 2024
mI' mob
n
odd number [Not evenly divisible by 2. In appropriate contexts, the mI' could be left out.]
qepHom 2017
mI' mobHa'
n
even number [Evenly divisible by 2. In appropriate contexts, the mI' could be left out.]
qepHom 2017
mI' nagh
n
die, dice
Monopoly
mI' poj
n
statistics [number analysis]
Feb 2018 email to De'vID
mI' rorgh
n
imaginary number [From chabal tetlh: "a number incorporating the square root of negative one".]
qep'a' 31
mI' tej
n
mathematician
qepHom 15
mI'rab
n
spiral
qep'a' 24
mI'wI' much
n
dance show [It can be used to translate cabaret if the cabaret show consists entirely or nearly entirely of dancing, but that's a special and infrequent situation.]
qepHom 2017
mojaq
n
suffix [Note: in English-Klingon side of TKD, this is mojaQ]
TKD
molHa'
v
dig up [like a bone or a fossil]
qep'a' 25
mong Ha'quj
n
tie
TN!LK
mongghol 'uluS
n
Mongolia
qepHom 17
moqtay'
n
bruise [a bruise you can see, but not an open wound;]
qep'a' 25
moQbID
n
dome [literally "half sphere"]
ta'puq mach
mor
v
be agile, be dexterous [depending on context, could also be Soy'Ha']
qep'a' 25
morgh
n
unit of area (27 square 'ujmey)
qepHom 15
morwI' (ghew)
n
ant(s), formicidae [Closest Klingon equivalent, based on what the bug looks like. The Klingon version is noted for its dexterity or agility (hence the name), not strength. But Klingons use this for the Terran ant anyway.] [Request]
qep'a' 28
mot
v
be stunned, be knocked out [in the sense of "rendered unconscious or into a dazed state as a result of being hit (by a fist or a projectile, etc.)". Like being hit by a "phaser set to stun"]
qep'a' 24
motlh
v
be normal / standard [additional to other defs]
BoP Poster / S14
mo'bIj
n
latch [From chabal tetlh: "fastening for a door that has a bar that fits into a notch or slot, and is lifted by a lever or string from either side".] [Request]
qep'a' 31
mo'qay tuq
N
House of Mo'kai [Discovery]
qepHom 2019
much jech
n
costume [two words]
Hamletmachine
much Qe'
n
cabaret (location) [such as a nightclub or restaurant where there's food/drink along with a show]
qepHom 2017
much yaH
n
stage
Hamletmachine
muchpa'
n
auditorium, theatre [This is not on the DVD itself, but was used during its development.]
FFN
muD Duj
n
airplane
TN!LK
muD 'umber
n
climate [as in "the Klingon homeworld has a very hot climate"]
qepHom 2019
mughato'
n
mugato [Introduced TOS episode #47: A Private Little War. One of the more notable native animal forms on Neural {Zeta Boötis III} is the mugato, a large, white, ape-like creature with dorsal spines and a cranial horn. The mugato are monogamous, mating for life. Little or no provocation will spark an attack by this hostile creature, whose bite is highly poisonous and fatal if untreated. The only antidote for the mugato bite is the proper application of the native mako root, which has the ability to draw the toxin out of the human nervous system. {No mention is made of how to draw it out of a Klingon nervous system. Of the planet, the text says:} The native inhabitants of the planet are humanoid, possibly the descendants of a Centaurian exploration mission that disappeared in the area some two hundred years ago. The population was once one of tranquil, peace-loving hunters, but a serious breach of the Prime Directive has resulted in their development of war and comparatively advanced projectile weapons. Direct Klingon interference, countered by Federation involvement, has divided the inhabitants into five major factions, each of which is feuding with the other four. (see also illustration in center insert in that text)]
from Star Trek, The Worlds Of The Federation: (p140-1)
mughbogh permey
n
subtitles [only if translation is implied. Not to be used for closed captions]
qepHom 2017
muj
v
be wrong
missing from E-K
mum
v
fancy, have a crush [Literally taste, sense flavors. Context generally resolves any confusion.] [Request]
qep'a' 30
mun'a'
n
unit of area [A mun'a' is 729 morghmey]
qep'a' 26
mupSoy
n
moopsy [animal from Star Trek: Lower Decks]
qepHom 2024
murgh
v
droop, slouch, be limp [From chabal tetlh: "As time went on he began to slouch in his chair"; "The fronds drooped in the heat".] [Request]
qep'a' 31
mutchoH
n
evolution (Darwinian) [less technical than Hovje'voH]
qepHom 2020
mutwa'
n
protozoan [The name, literally "Species #1," turned out to be not scientifically accurate, but it stuck] [Request]
qep'a' 27
mutlh
v
construct, assemble, put together [Marc Okrand email 2012-01-09]
qepHom
mutlh
v
manufacture, construct, put together
qepHom 15
muylIS
n
eyelash [revealed during the Hokey Pokey]
qep'a' 24
mu' qun
n
etymology
qepHom 2024
mu' qunQeD
n
discipline of studying word histories
qepHom 2024
mu'neqo
N
Monaco
MiniaturWunderland
mu'qaD veS
n
curse warfare
PK: written on the printed card
mu'vIb
n
whistle (with a shrill sound)
qepHom 2023
Count:162
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.