tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Sun Jun 18 04:57:59 2000
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Klingon WOTD: 'aD (v)
This is the Klingon Word Of The Day for Sunday, June 18, 2000.
Klingon word: 'aD
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: have a length of, measure
Additional Notes:
KGT.
MSN 10/22: There are two words used for length: <'aD> and <'ab>. Both of these can be translated "have a length of," but they are used somewhat differently. <'aD> is used in contrast with <juch> "have a width of" in measuring, say, a tabletop. <'ab>, on the other hand, is used for (potentially) longish, skinnyish things (for example, spears) and also for heights. Thus, one might say:
jav 'ujmey 'ab SuvwI' "the warrior has a length of six ujs" (about 6'10")
[<jav> "six"; <'ujmey>, plural of <'uj>, a unit of measure; 'ab "has a length of"; SuvwI' "warrior"]
This might sound a little more natural as "the warrior stands six ujs" or "the warrior is six ujs tall."
One could also say:
vagh 'ujmey vI'ab "I have a length of five ujs" (about 5'8")
or "I'm five ujs tall"
[<vagh> "five"; vI'ab "I have a length of"]
And it is, of course, acceptable to leave out the plural suffix <-mey> when a number precedes the measure word, in this case <'uj>":
wej 'uj 'ab naQjej "the spear has a length of three uj" (about 3'5")
or "the spear measures three uj"
or "the spear is three uj long"
[<wej> "three"; naQjej "spear"]
The Klingon Word Of The Day is brought to you by Holtej ([email protected]). Please contact me with additions, corrections or comments.
--Holtej 'utlh
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