Klingon isn’t for the weak. If you want to speak it properly, you’ll need to embrace its aggressive, no-nonsense structure. This guide cuts through the fluff and teaches you the essentials - like a bat’leth through a Starfleet redshirt.
The Klingon Sentence: Object-Verb-Subject (OVS)
English is Subject-Verb-Object (SVO). Klingon flips that on its head. The object comes first, then the verb, then the subject. It’s brutal efficiency - no wasted words.
Verb Prefixes: Who’s Doing What to Whom
Klingon verbs use prefixes to show the subject and object. No wishy-washy guessing - just clarity. Here’s the breakdown:
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| jI- | I (no object) | jIqet (I run) |
| bI- | You (no object) | bIqet (You run) |
| vI- | I do it to you/them | vIlegh (I see you/him/her) |
Noun Suffixes: Possession and More
Klingon nouns can take suffixes to show possession, plurality, and other fun stuff. Here’s the quick and dirty version:
- -wI’ = my (jupwI’ = my friend)
- -lI’ = your (juplI’ = your friend)
- -pu’ = plural (juppu’ = friends)
Key Grammar Rules to Remember
- No articles (the, a). Klingons don’t waste time with them.
- Adjectives come after the noun (Duj nIm (fast ship)).
- Questions are formed by adding -’a’ to the verb (bIlegh’a’? (Do you see?)).
Qapla’
/k͡xɑpʰˈlɑʔ/“Success”
Want more Klingon? Check out our guide on Klingon proverbs or how to flirt in Klingon (if you’re brave enough).
