Klingon/Suffixes
—This is a list of suffixes that can be applied to nouns and verbs. For a full understanding of these suffixes, please read the relevant lesson.
| Suffix | Applies to | Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| -ba' | Verbs | 6 (qualification) | obviously |
| -bej | Verbs | 6 (qualification) | certainly; undoubtedly |
| -beH | Verbs | 2 (predisposition) | ready; set up
This suffix is used when the subject is inanimate. -rup is used when the subject is a living being. |
| -be' | Verbs | Rover | not
This suffix negates the verb, it implies that the action is not done. It is not used with imperative prefixes, instead -Qo' is used. |
| -bogh | Verbs | 9 (relative clause marker) | that, what, where, which, who, whom or whose. |
| -chaj | Nouns | 4 (possession) | their |
| -choH | Verbs | 3 (change) | beginning to; becoming; starting to
This suffix indicates a change in state or direction. |
| -chugh | Verbs | 9 (subordinate clause marker) | if |
| -chuq | Verbs | 1 (Reflexive) | each other; one another
This suffix indicates that the action of the verb affects the subject. The verb prefix must have a plural subject and no object (such as ma- or Su-). |
| -chu' | Verbs | 6 (qualification) | clearly; perfectly
This suffix may indicate that the action was performed correctly. |
| -Daj | Nouns | 4 (possession) | his; her; its |
| -Daq | Nouns | 5 (locative) | at, by, in, on, to
This suffix indicates that something is happening in the vicinity of the noun. The exact translation depends on the context. It can only refer to location in space, and is not used for time (in June) or in the abstract (in English). |
| -DI' | Verbs | 9 (subordinate clause marker) | when; as soon as |
| -Du' | Nouns | 2 (plural) | This suffix forms the plural of nouns which refer to body parts of humanoids and other animals. See also -mey and -pu'. |
| -ghach | Verbs | 9 (nominalizer) | This suffix turns a verb into a noun, however its use is not clear. See also -wI'. |
| -Ha' | Verbs | Rover | undo; mis-; de-; dis-
This suffix is similar to -be'. -be' implies that something is not done, -Ha implies that it was undone, and so is stronger. It indicates that there has been a change of state; that the action has been undone or been carried out incorrectly. This suffix is not a rover, since it always appears before any other suffixes, right next to the verb. It can be used with imperative prefixes. |
| -Hey | Nouns | 3 (qualification) | apparent
This suffix indicates that the speaker has doubts about the use of the noun. |
| -Hom | Nouns | 1 (dimunitive) | This suffix creates a noun which is smaller, less powerful or less important than without the suffix. See also -'a'. |
| -jaj | Verbs | 9 | let; may
This suffix suffix indicates a wish of the speaker for something to happen, and is often used in a toast. It cannot be used with a type 7 suffix. |
| -laH | Verbs | 5 | can; able |
| -law' | Verbs | 6 (qualification) | seemingly; apparently |
| -lIj | Nouns | 4 (possession) | your (singular)
Used when the noun does not refer to a being capable of using language. |
| -lI' | Verbs | 7 (aspect) | This suffix indicates that the action is in progress or incomplete, but always with a definite objective. See also -taH. |
| Nouns | 4 (possession) | your (singular)
Used when the noun refers to a being capable of using language. | |
| -lu' | Verbs | 5 (indefinite subject) | somebody; someone; something
This suffix indicates that the subject is indefinite or unknown. |
| -maj | Nouns | 4 (possession) | our
Used when the noun does not refer to a being capable of using language. |
| -ma' | Nouns | 4 (possession) | our
Used when the noun refers to a being capable of using language. |
| -meH | Verbs | 9 (purpose clause marker) | for; for the purpose of; in order to |
| -mey | Nouns | 2 (plural) | This suffix forms the plural of nouns, excepting where these refer to beings capable of using language (see -pu') or body parts (see Du'-). These include group nouns. |
| -moH | Verbs | 4 (cause) | cause; make
This suffix indicates that the subject is causing a change of condition or creating a new condition. It is often not directly translated. When applied to an intransitive verb, the verb becomes transitive. |
| -mo' | Verbs | 9 (subordinate clause marker | because of; due to |
| Nouns | 5 | because of; due to | |
| -na' | Nouns | 3 (qualification) | definite
This suffix indicates that the speaker is sure about the use of the noun. |
| -neS | Verbs | 8 (honorific) | be honoured to
This suffix is used to indicate extreme politeness or deference to a superior. |
| -nIS | Verbs | 2 (volition) | need; must |
| -oy | Nouns | 1 | This suffix indicates that the noun is used as a term of enderearment. |
| -pa' | Verbs | 9 (subordinate clause marker) | before |
| -pu' | Verbs | 7 (aspect) | This suffix is used for an action which is completed or finished. |
| Nouns | 2 (plural) | This suffix forms the plurals for words denoting beings that use language. See also -mey and -Du'. | |
| -qang | Verbs | 2 (volition) | be willing to |
| -qa' | Verbs | 3 (change) | again; resuming; restarting
This suffix is used when an action has stopped and then starts again. |
| -qoq | Nouns | 3 (qualification) | so-called
This suffix indicates that the noun is used ironically or falsely. |
| -qu' | Verbs | Rover | well; very; very much
This suffix emphasises the action. It is not always directly translated, the emphasis instead applied to the way the words are spoken. |
| -Qo' | Verbs | Rover | don't; won't
This suffix negates the verb when an imperative prefix has been used, when it is usually translated by don't. It is also used to indicate a refusal, and is translated by won't. This suffix is not a rover, since it is always placed between any type 8 and 9 suffixes. |
| -raj | Nouns | 4 (possession) | your (plural)
Used when the noun does not refer to a being capable of using language. |
| -ra' | Nouns | 4 (possession) | your (plural)
Used when the noun refers to a being capable of using language. |
| -rup | Verbs | 2 (predisposition) | be ready to; be prepared to
This suffix is used when the subject is a living being. -beH is used when the subject is inanimate. |
| -taH | Verbs | 7 (aspect) | This suffix is used for an action which is still underway or is continuing, with or without an objective. See also -lI'. |
| -ta' | Verbs | 7 (aspect) | Like -pu', this suffix indicates that the action is complete. It is used when the action is intended or deliberate, and not accidental. It is often translated in the same way as -pu'. |
| -vaD | Nouns | 5 | intended for; to; for
This suffix indicates that the noun is to benefit. It is also added to an indirect object, which precedes the object. |
| -vam | Nouns | 4 (specification) | this; these |
| -vetlh | Nouns | 4 (specification) | that; those |
| -vIp | Verbs | 2 | be afraid to |
| -vIS | Verbs | 9 (subordinate clause marker) | while |
| -vo' | Nouns | 5 | from
This suffix indicates movement in a direction away from the noun. It can only refer to physical movement, and is not used for time (from June). |
| -wIj | Nouns | 4 (possession) | my
Used when the noun does not refer to a being capable of using language. |
| -wI' | Verbs | 9 (nominalizer) | This suffix has the meaning one who does or thing which does. It converts the verb into a regular noun and is similar to -er in English. See also -ghach. |
| Nouns | 4 (possession) | my
Used when the noun refers to a being capable of using language. | |
| -'a' | Verbs | 9 | This suffix indicates the sentence is a question to be answered by yes or no. |
| Nouns | 1 (augmentative) | This suffix forms a noun which is bigger, more powerful or more important than without the suffix. See also -'Hom. | |
| -'egh | Verbs | 1 (Reflexive) | herself; himself; myself; oneself; themselves; yourself; yourselves
This suffix indicates that the action of the verb affects the subject. Any prefix used must be one that has no object (such as jI-, bI-, ma- or Su-). |
| -'e' | Nouns | 5 | This suffix indicates that the noun is the topic of the sentence. For example, it is placed on the head noun of a relative clause, indicated by the verb suffix -bogh. |