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
rach
v
invigorate, fortify, strengthen
MSN news group
rachwI'
n
nurse
MSN news group
raghbI'
n
rugby [loanword]
qepHom 2024
raghghan
n
doll, action figure, miniature humanoid
qep'a' 25
rajma'
n
kidney
qepHom 10
ramDung
n
gum (as in chewing gum) [This really refers to a not-sweet Klingon version of gum, but it's used for the Terran concoction as well, sometimes preceded by Su'ghar or tera'.]
qepHom 2023
rang
v
be responsible for, have responsibility for
Marc Okrand email to Lieven January 2018
rapmar
n
oar
qep'a' 25
raqDar
n
pirate
qepHom 2024
raqDar chap
n
privateer [sometimes shortened to raqchap]
qepHom 2024
raQ
n
outpost
Monopoly
rarchuq
v
be related [generally/conceptually, from rar "connect"]
qep'a' 25
rarwI'
n
plug [this is "connector"; an electric plug is 'ul rarwI']
qep'a' 25
raS De'wI'
n
desktop computer
qepHom 13
raSber naH
n
raspberry
TN!LK
raSya'
N
Russia
TN!LK
raS'IS
n
seed
qep'a' 23
rav De'lor
n
stalagmite
qepHom 2019
ravqel
n
railing (single part of a larger railing, guardrail or banister structure) [This is the railing alone. The Solrogh is the entire structure, including both railing and support (and other) posts, if any. The word for a vertical post, whether it actually holds up the railing or is there for ornamentation only (or, in mostly non-Klingon sites, safety) is naSIn. A naSIn that actually provides support for the railing is a Solrogh tut.] [Request]
qep'a' 30
rav'eq
n
ceiling
NEWS
raw
v
lightning
qep'a' 24
raw'
n
an aquatic bird with colorful plumage
HolQeD v10n4p5
ray
n
sound of letter r [alphabet]
qep'a' 16
ray
n
trill (sound) [The trill sound is just ray, the word for the sound of Klingon r. ray tlhen is make an r sound, trill.] [Request]
qep'a' 30
raywal
n
booth (small building) [Has a roof, not like a cubicle or carrel open at the top. A raywal is usually used for people; a HuDyar is used for storage.]
qepHom 2019
ray' tIr
n
rice
TN!LK
ra'
v
conduct (an orchestra) [literally command, order]
qepHom 17
ra'Duch
n
triangle [Marc Okrand email 2014-01-27]
qepHom 12
ra'Duch leD
n
right triangle
qepHom 2024
ra'Duch leD qubbID
n
hypotenuse [Normally shortened to just ra'Duch qubbID or, even more frequently when the context is clear, to just qubbID.]
qepHom 2024
ra'Duch puj
n
scalene triangle
qepHom 13
ra'Duch quv
n
isosceles triangle [Marc Okrand email 2014-01-27]
qepHom 12
ra'Duch tIQ
n
equilateral triangle [Marc Okrand email 2014-01-27]
qepHom 12
ra'Duch tut
n
prism with three-sided base [Marc Okrand email 2014-01-27]
qepHom 12
ra'wI' lupwI'
n
taxi
TN!LK
rech
v
exhale
HolQeD, v12n4p8
reD
n
exterior wall
NEWS
reD
n
side (exterior surface) [This is any side of an object that is not explicitly its top, bottom, front or back.]
QelIS boqHarmey
reD'eS
n
bureaucracy [The slang expression pumnuj reD'eS is used if things are definitely inefficient.] [Request]
qep'a' 28
rejghun
n
undergarments, underwear [This refers to underwear in general. To be more specific, say rejghun yopwaH bID, etc.] [Request]
qep'a' 26
rejghun yopwaH
n
boxer shorts
qepHom 2024
rejghun yopwaH Qey
n
boxer briefs
qepHom 2024
rejghun yopwaHHom
n
briefs
qepHom 2024
rel
v
be dazed, be delusional [in the sense of confused, unable to think properly, bewildered]
qep'a' 24, qepHom 2017
rem
v
suck (e.g. through a straw)
qepHom 15
remloS
n
gut, guts [ remloS, in its singular sense, would refer to any individual internal organ. It could, of course, also be used as a plural (equivalent to remloSDu').]
qepHom 2023
rem'ay'
n
diaphragm, thoracic diaphragm (body part)
qepHom 2020
ren
v
design, map out, plan (a physical object) [Marc Okrand email 2011-10-24]
qepHom 10
renwI'
n
designer, architect [Marc Okrand email 2011-10-24]
qepHom 10
renyarDaq
n
psychic ability [The usual term for psychic ability (or abilities) in general.] [Request]
qep'a' 30
renyarDaq QeD
n
paraspychology [The study of parapsychology. Sometimes shortened to DaqQeD.] [Request]
qep'a' 30
req
n
wax
qepHom 15
reS
v
conjure, cast a spell
November 2016 email to Lieven
reS
v
grow (flowers, plants, vegetables?) [The object is the plant which is grown by the subject.]
QelIS boqHarmey
reStav
n
shin, forearm [reStav refers to both the "shin" (front of the lower leg) and the "forearm" (below the elbow). If it's necessary to make a distinction, precede the word with 'uS or DeS. reStav is more than just the shin or arm bones. The only way Maltz was aware of for referring to the bone is reStav Hom. ]
Hamletmachine
ret
n
time period ago (past)
HolQeD v8n3p3
ret
v
be most recent
qepHom 2019
retlaw
n
dent, indentation
qep'a' 24
rewve'
n
air (everyday word)
qep'a' 23
rewve' mIjDang
n
fan, handheld fan
QelIS boqHarmey
rey'
n
special performance or presentation [This is a noun that's kind of hard to define in a word or two, but it refers to a performance or presentation that's pretty special in some way. Maybe it's something that happens only once, not to be repeated. Or maybe it occurs regularly but not very often, so it's something looked forward to well in advance. Maybe it's something that features a special performer or performers.]
qep'a' 28
re'chIv
n
internal organ
qep'a' 29
re'Hom'at
n
scarf (on neck)
qepHom 2023
re'lIng
n
instinct, talent, facility, aptitude [singular form for Duj "instincts"] [Request]
qepHom 2021
re'nop
n
shard [From chabal tetlh: "sharp fragment of material, e.g. glass, metal, rock, or pottery".] [Request]
qep'a' 31
re'tISyav
n
spermatozoon [From chabal tetlh: "often motile gamete which fertilizes the egg in sexual reproduction".
Plural takes -mey.] [Request]
qep'a' 31
re'yub
n
habitat [SciFi word for living structures on alien planets, or in space.]
qepHom 2024
rIb
v
be spread, spread out [like a deck of cards fanned out on a table or peanut butter on a piece of bread] [Request]
qep'a' 26
rIch
v
talk about, discuss [The object of this verb is the topic of the discussion.]
qepHom 17
rID
v
digest (the process food goes through)
qep'a' 23
rID'oH
n
barley [The closest Klingon equivalent.]
qepHom 2023
rID'oH HIq
n
barley liquor [This was left untranslated. It "would be okay" to use that phrase to refer to any barley-based liquor, but doesn't mean it's the only name for it.]
qepHom 2023
rIj
v
be moored, anchored
qep'a' 25
rIjHa'
v
be adrift
qep'a' 25
rIjmeH tlhegh
n
tether, leash [When the context is clear, this is sometimes called simply rIjwI'.] [Request]
qep'a' 30
rIjwI'
n
tether, leash [An alternative for rIjmeH tlhegh, used when the context is clear.] [Request]
qep'a' 30
rIl
v
use the thumb [Most commonly used in reference to a child using a thumb. See also {Sen}.]
HolQeD v10n2p7
rIl
v
play (a wind instrument) [This is a brass technique, not a flute technique. Most typically it is used with {gheb} as the object.]
HolQeD v10n2p9
rIlwI'
n
thumb [Most commonly used in reference to a child's thumb. See also {Sen}.]
HolQeD v10n2p7
rIq
v
pioneer, break through, innovate [This would apply to a scientific breakthrough or discovery, but not to, say, setting a new record in a bat'leth twirling competition] [Request]
qep'a' 26
rIS
v
make a cracking or snapping sound, emit a signal [rIS originally referred to emitting sound only. Later the meaning was extended to mean emitting any sort of signal – sound, radiation, smell, etc. tlhuD refers to radiation only.]
qepHom 2017
rIS
v
make a clicking sound [Expands the meaning of the verb rIS to including clicking along with cracking and snapping] [Request]
qep'a' 28
rIt
v
summon
Monopoly
rItlh 'echlet
n
ink pad
qepHom 2015 p.19
rIv
v
split [like an ax does to a watermelon]
Hamletmachine
rI'meH wovmoHwI'
n
beacon
qepHom 15
robwIl
n
nightmare [This can be the object of naj dream or SIQ endure and some other verbs, but generally not ghaj have (unless you somehow literally possess a nightmare).] [Request]
qep'a' 27
rojpup
n
entropy
qepHom 2024
rol taj
n
razor
TN!LK
ron
v
roll (be rolling), bank (aircraft wings tilt, one up, one down)
HolQeD v11n2p9, De'vID Feb 2019 Q&A
rong
n
roast, grill, broil [Can be used generally, not just for how Terrans tend to ruin food.] [Request]
qep'a' 29
roptoj
n
scar (result of some sort of disease, infection, etc.)
qep'a' 24
ropyaH qach
n
hospital
TN!LK
roq
v
fragile, delicate, flimsy [From chabal tetlh: "This stick is so fragile that even a Ferengi child can snap it in two." "a distinct word for something delicate that is fragile but does not shatter."] [Request]
qep'a' 31
ror
v
be fat, not lean [implies bulk due to body fat or the like; anthropomorphizes inanimate objecdts]
qepHom 2019
rorgh
v
be fantasy [This is "be fantastic" in the fantasy sense; it does not mean "be wonderful, terrific"] [Request]
qep'a' 26
roS
v
use the third toe
HolQeD v10n2p10
roSghaH
n
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)
qep'a' 23
roSmaH
n
chromosome [Chromosomes are numbered (e.g. roSmaH wej). The two sex chromosomes are roSmaH pagh and roSmaH bID; two roSmaH bID chromosomes occur in females, one of each occur in males.] [Request]
qep'a' 28
roSwI'
n
third toe
HolQeD v10n2p7
rovDurgh
n
teaching, precept [From chabal tetlh: "paQDI'norgh is the plural teachings. This request is for a singular teaching."] [Request]
qep'a' 31
ro'leSlIb
n
barnacle [From chabal tetlh: "marine crustacean that attaches itself to submerged surfaces".
This is the closest Klingon equivalent.] [Request]
qep'a' 31
ruj
v
be physical [Subject to the laws of physics; could be applied to something corporeal but also to energy.] [Request]
qep'a' 29
ruq
v
belch [Gas produced is called {SIp} or {Qep'It}.]
HolQeD, v12n4p8
rura' pente'
proper n
Rura Penthe
from the Addendum of TKD, TKW p190
ruS
n
bond [qep'a' wa'maH SochDIch]
paq'batlh
ruS
v
be positively charged, have a positive charge
qep'a' 23
ruSvep
n
invitation
qep'a' 24
rutneD
n
hoe
qepHom 2023
rutlh
n
wheel
NEWS
rutlh
v
be round [like a circle]
qepHom 17
rutlh chab
n
donut
qepHom 2024
rutlhHom
n
scroll wheel on a computer mouse
qepHom 13
ruv nay'
n
dessert
qepHom 2023
Count:150
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.