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
naDqa'ghach
n
re-commendation
TKD p176
nagh ghun
n
terracotta [From chabal tetlh: "clay-based earthenware ceramic material, the fired body of which is porous".
Called warm stone or warm ceramic presumably because it's fired at a relatively low temperature compared to other ceramics.] [Request]
qep'a' 31
nagh HeH
n
curb [of a road or street]
qep'a' 26
naghHom
n
gravel [Used primarily when focusing on individual stones. For the stuff spread on the ground or used in making concrete, for example, yetmoS is more common.] [Request]
qep'a' 30
naH
v
be hostile, malicious, unfriendly, antagonistic [STID]
qepHom 12
naH mergh
n
general term for types of salad
qepHom 2024
naHjej
n
thistle
KGT p88
naHnagh
n
pit (of fruit)
KGT p89
namtun
n
the familiar beginning of a song [After hearing just this short portion of the beginning of the song, a listener will recognize the tune.]
HolQeD v12n2p9
nan
v
use the fourth toe
HolQeD v10n2p10
nanwI'
n
fourth toe
HolQeD v10n2p7
naQ
v
be full, whole, entire[, complete]
from the Addendum of TKD [E-K side only]
naQjejHom
n
arrow [not really a Klingon gizmo]
qep'a' 25
nar
v
reflect [This is the mirror-image / reverse-image sense of "reflect"; compare 'et bounce, rebound] [Request]
qep'a' 27
naSIn
n
vertical post which is part of a railing, guardrail or banister [A vertical post which is part of a Solrogh (railing, guardrail, banister), whether it actually holds up the railing or is there for ornamentation only (or, in mostly non-Klingon sites, safety). A naSIn that actually provides support for the railing is a Solrogh tut.] [Request]
qep'a' 30
natlIS
n
last item in a list
HolQeD v12n2p9
natlh
v.t.
drain
HolQeD v6n2p9 S33
nav HablI'
n
FAX machine
HolQeD v5n2p20
nav qatwI'
n
envelope
TN!LK
nav QIn
n
letter (message written on paper)
qepHom 2015 p.18
nav vaH
n
envelope (paper cover)
qepHom 2015 p.18
navSu'
n
key, legend (as on a map)
qepHom 2020
naw'
v and n
access
This is listed as a noun in the E-K side, but as a verb in K-E
naw'wat
n
remote, small, desolate place
qepHom 15
nay
n
sound of letter n [alphabet]
qep'a' 16
nayeghra
N
Niagara
January 2020 email to DeSDu'
nayjerya'
n
Nigeria
qepHom 15
nay'
n
course, dish (at a meal) [Under "dish" in English-Klingon side of TKD, (food) replaces (at a meal).]
TKW p133
nay' Qav
n
dessert [literally just "last dish"]
qepHom 2023
na'choS
n
nachos
qepHom 2023
neb
n
beak, bill
HolQeD v10n4p5
neb
n
nozzle (like on the end of a hose)
qep'a' 23
nebeylI'
n
sarcophagus (fancy) [associated with ritual and honor and all that - it's much more than just a repository (and presumably it's fancier looking). Maltz said that at some point in the past, Klingons stopped using them (though they didn't necessarily destroy ones already there). He wasn't sure if they were used in one form or another for everyone or only for certain, presumably high-ranking, people. He also said something about using these words (nev'aQ more frequently) for sort of flying coffins? sarcophagi in space? (He wasn't all that clear about this.) ]
qep'a' 24
nel
v
match, pair up, map onto [like when fingerprints match]
qep'a' 25
nelchu'
v
fit in perfectly, fit perfectly [like a piece in a jigsaw puzzle; based on the verb nel match, pair up, map onto]
qepHom 17
nelmeS
n
hyperlink
qepHom 2023
nelwI'
n
partner, mate (e.g. matching socks or gloves)
January 2019 email to De'vID
nen
n
maturity
Monopoly
nenchoH
v
mature, grow up [This can be used for animal and plant growth and refers not just to increasing in size.]
QelIS boqHarmey
neng'el
n
metal grid, lattice
qepHom 2023
neq
v
intersect
qep'a' 25
neqjung
n
contact, encounter, rendezvous [The noun counterpart to ghom . It would be used in phrases such as neqjung wa'DIch "first contact".]
qep'a' 28
neqratlh
n
glasses, spectacles
qep'a' 25
neSlo'
n
small mirror [smaller than SIla']
HolQeD v10n4p5
neSngech
n
type of animal, dormouse [A dormouse-like Klingon animal that is active at night.]
QelIS boqHarmey
netlh
num
ten thousand [should be noted as number-forming element]
TKD 5.2
netlh'uy'
num
10 billion [as a number-forming element, it is preceded by a digit 1-9] [Request]
qep'a' 27
nev'aQ
n
sarcophagus (simple) [sort of an everyday sarcophagus, strictly utilitarian]
qep'a' 24
nev'ob
n
thigh, upper arm [nev'ob refers to both the "thigh" and the "upper arm" (above the elbow). If it's necessary to make a distinction, precede the word with 'uS or DeS.]
Hamletmachine
ne'
n
yeoman [for those unfamiliar with the term, the Concise Oxford Dictionary defines yeoman as petty officer]
This was omitted from the English-Klingon listing of TKD
ne'Derlan
N
The Netherlands
TN!LK
nIl
v
be grassy
qep'a' 24
nIm qulcher taD
n
ice cream [Ice cream is really a Terran thing; no native Klingon equivalent.] [Request]
qep'a' 27
nIm tlhagh
n
butter
TN!LK
nIm wIb ngogh
n
cheese
TN!LK
nIpon
N
Japan
TN!LK
nIq
v
weave, knit [Marc Okrand Facebook message to DYM 2014-10-27]
qepHom 13
nIq mIr
n
alternating current/AC
qepHom 2024
nIqDob
n
perforator, hole punch
qepHom 2015 p.18
nIqHom
n
software [Friends of Maltz: qurgh]
qep'a' 23
nItebHa'
adv
together
BoP Poster
nItlh gheb
n
trumpet
qepHom 17
nItlh 'echlet
n
keyboard [De'wI' nItlh 'echlet for computer keyboard if clarification is necessary]
qepHom 13
nIyma'
n
phantom, apparition
qepHom'a' Soch
nI'qur
n
qep'a' 31
nobmeD
n
skeleton
qepHom 2019
nochmIt
n
spin (quantum physics)
qepHom 2024
noDwI'
n
avenger
qep'a' 24
nompuq
n
authority, evidence, attestation, reference, citation ["source" in the literary sense]
Feb 2018 email to De'vID
noq
n
nipple
qep'a' 23
noQ
v
be organic [Consisting of organic material, i.e. carbon-based. Not in the sense of organically-grown fruit etc. Confirmed usage by Okrand: Dep noQ 'oH - "It's an organic being"]
qepHom 2024
noregh
N
Norway
TN!LK
norten'erlen
proper n
Northern Ireland
qepHom 2023
notqa'
n
a large, black bird [nowhere near as large as a qa'rol, which is really big]
HolQeD v10n4p4
notron
n
curtain, drape [can also be used for things like a door or gate that opens and closes vertically, like a portcullis]
January 2020 email to DeSDu'
no'negh
n
sulfur
qepHom 2015 p.13
nuch Hergh
n
aspirin
TN!LK
nuH bey'
n
Pride of Weapons
KCD
nuj yaj
v
read lips [Used in a general way, one might say nujDu' vIyajlaH. When applied to a specific occurrence, one might say nujlIj vIyajlaH.] [Request]
qep'a' 28
nuj 'In
n
beatboxing [ nuj 'In refers to the practice of making percussive sounds with the mouth (voice, lips, tongue, etc.). To perform via this technique ("to beatbox," perhaps) is nuj 'In chu.]
qepHom 2023
nulqIm
n
media [The totality of content items - television shows, films, books, photographs, etc. - which are broadcast or published.]
qepHom 2024
nungmaH
n
hybrid
qep'a' 26
nural
n
Neural [Introduced TOS episode #47: A Private Little War. Federation Catalog Name is Zeta Boötis III. "This Class M world is the third of ten that orbit a brilliant, moderate-size yellow star in a binary system. The planet is quite Earth-like, with vast oceans and desert, moderate, and tropical climate zones. Neural is the only planet in the Zeta Boötis system to have a moon, which has been named Asetia by the native population of Neural's lower desert. 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. One of the more notable native animal forms on is the mugato.]
from Star Trek, The Worlds Of The Federation: (p140-1)
nurgh
v
be awkward [as in feeling awkward, an awkward situation or awkward silence.]
qepHom 2024
nutye'
n
olive tree [This is a close Klingon equivalent. The fruit is nutye' naH. For the Terran olive tree, precede with tera'.]
qep'a' 31
nuyorgh
n
New York
qepHom 15
nu'
v
be particularly small, be miniature
MiniaturWunderland
nu'SIylan
N
New Zealand
TN!LK
ngaH
v
squeeze (an object)
qepHom 2015 p.18
ngajrun
n
puzzle, riddle [this is a made-up puzzle or riddle]
qep'a' 25
ngam
v
adhere, stick [with -moH, the object is the thing that's stuck to or adhering to something else, marked by -Daq]
qep'a' 25
ngang
v
vary, be varying [This verb is used to express that something is varying or deviating from the norm or is varying or fluctuating so much that there isn't a norm. (If the readouts on certain instruments on a ship did this, that would probably be bad news.)]
January 2019 email to De'vID
ngaQHa'moH
v
sign in, log in [jargon, perhaps shortened from an earlier obsolete phrase mab Hung lojmIt naQHa'moH]
Feb 2018 email to De'vID
ngaQHa'moHwI'
n
key
TN!LK
ngaQmoH
v
sign out, log out [jargon, perhaps shortened from an earlier obsolete phrase mab Hung lojmIt ngaQmoH]
Feb 2018 email to De'vID
ngar
v
be miraculous, supernatural, wondrous
qepHom 17
ngat 'atlhqam
n
a type of mold ["gunpowder fungus"]
qep'a' 25
ngav
n
writer's cramp [linguist humor]
This was omitted from the English-Klingon listing of TKD
ngavyaw'
n
canine-like creature (larger than a qovIj) [a large animal, like the creatures that accompany the guards on Rura Penthe] [Request]
qep'a' 26
ngay
n
sound of letter ng [alphabet]
qep'a' 16
ngay'
n
glory
Monopoly
nga'chuq
v
sex (i.e., perform sex; always subject) [Note: it is unclear about what part of speech this may be, though it is probably a verb and "always subject" probably refers to the concept that all involved parties collectively make the subject of this verb.]
from veS QonoS, listed in HolQeD v1n3p9
ngech
n
valley[, woman's cleavage]
confirmed at qep'a' wejDIch by Okrand
ngegh
v
traffic in [In the sense of trading something illegal. The object is the allegedly illicit item.]
qep'a' 31
ngel
v
attract, lure
qepHom 2017
ngelwI'
n
bait [Literally "attracter" or "lurer"; can be translated "bait" in the proper context.]
qepHom 2017
ngen
v
be numb [of body parts; for emotions, use jemHa' or jemlaHbe']
qep'a' 25
ngep
v
take/have priority [particularly in the sense of a computer program taking priority over another one]
qepHom 2024
ngeq
v
store, hoard, cache [Used to say memorise or save (on a computer), also "learn/know by heart".]
qepHom 2021
ngeqwI'
n
capacitor [From chabal tetlh: "electronic component capable of storing electrical energy in an electric field; especially one consisting of two conductors separated by a dielectric".] [Request]
qep'a' 31
ngeS
v
bake
qepHom 2023
ngeSlIch
n
loan
qep'a' 28
ngeSmoH
v
bake
qepHom 2023
ngeSmoHwI'
n
baker
qepHom 2023
ngIbvay
n
type of animal [This is a weird animal found on Kronos that looks like a rock. It can suddenly open up and stick out something to grab a piece of food (like a frog catches flies), though since it's not hungry very often, it doesn't do this frequently.]
QelIS boqHarmey
ngIDvoS
n
lead (element)
qepHom 2015 p.13
ngIj
v
be rowdy, unruly
KGT p150
ngIng
v
be negatively charged, have a negative charge
qep'a' 23
ngIq
n
each, single, individual [Similar to Hoch but with an additional meaning of "one after the other" or "one by one".]
paq'batlh, qepHom 2017
ngIS
n
lubricant (for disruptor cannons) [acknowledged by Marc Okrand when providing words for OZ]
IKS Gorkon
ngIt
v
ride [The phrase qam Do Duj jIrmoH does not mean pedal a bicycle; it means rotate a bicycle, that is, spin it around somehow or other. The verb for riding a bicycle (or motorcycle or horse, where the passenger is controlling, to one degree or another, the motion of the vehicle or means of conveyance), is ngIt.]
qep'a' 31
ngItHel
n
type of musical instrument [can be played with a bow]
qepHom 2019
ngItHel naQ
n
bow [used to play a ngItHel]
qepHom 2019
ngItlh
v
be stuck [like when your car is stuck in the snow or Santa is stuck in the chimney or a ring is stuck on your finger or a nail is stuck in a piece of wood and you can't pull it out]
qep'a' 25
ngI'
v
be pressurized [For the notion of "pressurized" (as what happens inside an airplane to make sure those yellow masks don't fall down), Maltz said to use the verb ngI' "have a weight of, weigh."]
qep'a' 24
ngogh
n
block, lump, brick [Marc Okrand email 2010-11-15]
qepHom 9
ngogh mutlhwI'
n
bricklayer [Marc Okrand email 2012-01-09]
qepHom
ngom
v
be geeky [This describes someone who is "into" a subject and knows a lot about it, but does not necessarily participate in associated activities the way a qatru' does. It could be a less intense version of ven.]
FFN
ngon
v
bubble [The verb ngon describes what water does when it's boiling: It's bubbling. Also, if you blow with a straw into a glass of water, then it's also bubble-ing, i.e. making bubbles. The person does not ngon, they ngonmoH the water.]
qepHom 2017
ngop
n
plates (for eating) [Incorrectly listed as a verb.]
KGT
ngoqDe'
n
encoded message
HolQeD v8n4p12
ngotrI'
n
latitude [A common way of talking about this concept is by making use of the verb 'ab (have a height of). When used to specify location (as opposed to linear dimension), the objects of the verb are expressed in degrees, lawrI'(mey), so X 'ab could be translated be at latitude X.
In some contexts, such as in preparing for in the midst of battle (but not restricted to these), it's more common to express the location (in degrees) followed by the word ngotrI' (latitude) or lungrI' (longitude) with no verb at all, a form of clipped Klingon.
By analogy with law and lawrI' (for "traditional" degrees and "modern" degrees), these terms are based on two of three older words that were used in specifying locations before significant contact with other civilizations in the galaxy led to adoption of the more generally used system: ngotvI', lungvI', lechvI'. Maltz didn't know how to translate these traditional terms.] [Request]
qep'a' 30
ngotrI'tal
n
parallel [The modern word used for the imaginary lines used in determining coordinates or the actual lines on a map or similar image. Derived from the traditional terms: ngottal, lungtal, lechtal. Maltz didn't know how to translate these, but he said the arrangement formed triangles.] [Request]
qep'a' 30
ngottal
n
one of the three traditional terms for map grid lines (forming triangles) [One of three traditional terms used for the imaginary lines used in determining coordinates or the actual lines on a map or similar image. The modern terms are are: ngotrI'tal, parallel; lungrI'tal, meridian.] [Request]
qep'a' 30
ngotvI'
n
one of the three traditional terms for specifying locations (analogous to longitude and latitude) [These terms were used in specifying locations before significant contact with other civilizations in the galaxy led to adoption of the more generally used system: ngotvI', lungvI', lechvI'. Maltz didn't know how to translate these traditional terms.] [Request]
qep'a' 30
ngub
v
migrate [In Klingon, there's only one word for these concepts: ngub. To specify immigration or emigration, make use of the suffixes -Daq and -vo' on the nouns referring to the destination or area of departure.] [Request]
qep'a' 30
ngugh
adv
then, at that time
Newsgroup
nguH
v
testify
qepHom 17
nguHwI'
n
witness [one who testifies in court]
qepHom 17
ngun
v
perch [if bird lands on land, use Saq, on water, use tlhot]
HolQeD v10n4p5
nguq
v
be arrogant, haughty, conceited [an undesirable trait]
HolQeD, v12n3p9
nguSDI'
n
motor
BoP Poster
ngutlh
n
letter, written character
qepHom 15
ngutlh nagh
n
die/dice with letters
qepHom 17
ngutlh tu'qom
n
font, typeface ["written character appearance/form/shape"]
Feb 2018 email to De'vID
ngutlhmey qa'
v
transliterate [The script transliterated from is the object, the script transliterated into is the subject.]
qepHom 2024
naQ 'er
n
brush devil (a Klingon animal) [Presumably this is a type of 'er. Brush devil is not a direct translation of naQ 'er, and the Klingon words naQ and 'er have nothing to do with brushes or devils. The Federation Standard name was an invention of, probably, the first Federation Standard speaker who saw one of these things and reported about it.]
qep'a' 24
Count:183
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.