Sindarin
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Introduction
Greetings
Farewells
The Legendary Courtesy of the Elves
Useful Tidbits
Titles
Professions
Endearments
Small-talk
Exclamations
Adventuring
Pleas and Prayers
In Battle
Battlecries
In time of trouble
Spells, Chants and Healing
Compliments
Romance
Threats
Insults
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Introduction |
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The Elves of Middle-earth spoke Sindarin. This is a complicated language to learn, but its
usage in role-playing lends an authenticity to things ~ much as its usage in Tolkien's novels
does. Since not everyone wishes to immerse themselves in technical essays about grammar, I offer
to you here some very basic phrases in Sindarin that might be useful in role-playing.
For those who have already learned some Quenya phrases, such as Namárië, I would like to note that
Quenya was not used in daily conversation. It was used in ancient writings of poetry, song, and lore,
and perhaps for ceremonial purposes. Not every Elf of the Third Age would know the language ~ in fact,
most of them would not. Even those who knew the language would have rarely had occasion to speak it.
Its usage was forbidden by King Thingol, and the Noldor obeyed that decree and adopted Sindarin.
Where words are separated by a slash, you need to choose the one that is most appropriate for the
situation. The formal, rather poetic form (le, lín) would be used when addressing someone respectfully, or
to a stranger or new acquaintance. The familiar form (ce, gen, gín) is used between family members and good friends. These apply to both singular and plural usage.
Note: some of this is based on reconstructions and theories, well grounded in logic but not necessarily
what Tolkien would have done. Comments to the author at taramiluiel@cox.net
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Greetings |
Greetings (everyone) ~ Suilad (penath) (can be shortened to suil, similar to "hi")
Well met ~ Mae govannen
Welcome ~ Mae tollen
Welcome home ~ Mae tollen na mar
Welcome back ~ Mae athollen
It is my joy to see thee/you ~ Glass nín le/gen cened
It is my joy to see thee/you again ~ Glass nín le/gen achened
A star shines on the occasion of our meeting ~ Êl síla nan lû e-govaded vín
It is my joy to meet you ~ Glass nín le/gen govaded
I haven't seen you for a long time ~ Anann le/gen ú-gennin
My heart sings to see thee/you ~ Guren linna le/gen cened
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Farewells |
Farewell ~ Navaer
Have a good journey ~ Garo lend vaer
I hope you will have a good journey (form./fam.) ~ Harthon gerithal/gerithach lend vaer
Good day/evening/night ~ Aur/aduial/fuin vaer
Have a good day/evening/night ~ Garo aur/aduial/fuin vaer
Good hunting ~ Rui/farad vaer
Fair winds ~ Suil vain
May useful winds speed you on ~ Hortho le/gen huil vaer
I hope you will have kind seas ~ Harthon gerithal/gerithach aeair vilui
Sweet waters and light laughter until next we meet ~ Nîn velui a lalaith meren nalú en-agovaded vín
I hope you will have green paths and a breeze behind you ~ Harthon gerithal/gerithach raid gelin a chwest adel thraw lín/gín
I hope you will have green and golden paths ~ Harthon gerithal/gerithach raid gelin a velthin
May the leaves of your life tree never wither ~ Pelo nalú i laiss en-Galadh Guil lín/gín
My heart shall weep until I see thee again ~ Guren nallatha nalú le/gen achenin
Nothing will stop the weeping of my heart until our reunion ~ Unad nuithatha i nîr e-guren nalú aderthad vín
Rest well ~ Hodo vae
Sleep well ~ Losto vae
Sweet dreams ~ Elei velui
May you dream well tonight ~ Oltho vae ne fuin hen
I hope to see you there ~ Harthon le/gen cened ennas
I hope to see you at this time ~ Harthon le/gen cened nan lû hen
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The Legendary Courtesy of the Elves |
Khazad-Dûm: May your ale be cold and your meat be fresh off the carcass. ~ No ring iaulib lín a laeb-e-ndaen i aes lín.
Minas Tirith: May the call of silver trumpets ring clear above the White City. ~ Glamo lim i ganed rym gelib erin Minas Faen.
Rohan: May your horses run swift and may they make small droppings. ~ Noro lagor idh rych lín a caro delevoe dithin.
The White Council: May your staffs never splinter. ~ Trechado allú in guilylf lín.
The Shire: May the hair on your feet never fall out. ~ Danno ed allú i fast buin dail lín.
Lothlórien: May your ladders be strong and the winds be calm. ~ No vell i phendraith lín a no moe i suil.
Fangorn: May your leaves grow ever-green and your roots find fresh water. ~ Galo uigelin i laiss lín a hiro nen laeb i thynd lín.
Mordor: May the Ever-Watching Eye show mercy on your black souls. ~ Tano faelas nan faer vorn gín i Chen Uidiriel.
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Useful Tidbits |
Yes ~ Maer ("good")
No ~ Baw!
What is your name? ~ Man i eneth lín/gín?
___ is my name ~ ___ i eneth nín
I'm ___ ~ im ___
Please ~ iest nín /iesten ("My wish")
Thank you ~ Le/gen hannon
Many thanks ~ Hennaid evyr
A thousand thanks ~ Meneg hennaid
You're welcome ~ Glass nín /glassen ("My joy")
Well done ~ Mae carnen
I understand ~ Henion
I don't understand ~ Ú-chenion
I'm sorry ~ Naeth nín /naethen ("My sorrow")
Forgive me ~ Goheno nin
As you wish ~ Be iest lín/gín
Don't worry ~ Avaro naeth ("Don't have woe")
What news? ~ Man siniath?
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Titles |
My friend/friends ~ mellon/mellyn nín
My son/daughter ~ ion/iell nín
My father/mother ~ adar/naneth nín
My dad/mom ~ ada/nana nín
My brother/sister ~ muindor/muinthel nín
My sworn brother/sister ~ gwador/gwathel nín
My husband/wife ~ hervenn/hervess nín
My Lord/Lady ~ hîr/hiril nín or Brannon/brennil nín
Foe of my foe ~ coth o choth nín
Friend of my friend ~ mellon o mellon nín
Little father (dwarf) ~ adar dithen
Bearded one (dwarf) ~ fangron/fangril (m/f)
Mighty one ~ belegron/belegril (m/f)
Valiant one ~ gornon/gornil (m/f)
Ancient one ~ iauron/iauril (m/f)
Wise one ~ saelon/saelil (m/f)
Loyal one ~ sadron/sadril (m/f)
My champion/hero ~ thalion/thaliel nín (m/f)
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Professions |
Apprentice ~ aphadon/aphadil (m/f), aphador
Archer ~ pengron/pengril (m/f), pengor
Armorer ~ barvdan
Assistant ~ tuluron/tuluril (m/f)
Astronomer ~ meneldir/meneldis (m/f)
Bard ~ glirdan
Blacksmith ~ angdan ("iron-smith")
Calligrapher/Secretary ~ tegilbor
Carpenter/woodwright ~ thavron/thavril (m/f), thavor
Commander ~ caun
Cook ~ aesdan ("food-smith")
Forester ~ tauron/tauril (m/f)
Gardener ~ sannan
Harper ~ talagan
Healer ~ nestron/nestril (m/f), nestor
Herald ~ singyll
Herbmaster ~ salabir/salabis (m/f)
Historian ~ pennathron/pennathril (m/f), pennathor
Hunter ~ faron/faril (m/f)
Jewelsmith ~ mírdan (pl. mírdain)
Journeyman ~ nathron/nathril (m/f), nathor
Judge ~ badhron/badhril (m/f), badhor
Knight ~ rochir/rochiril (m/f)
Lampwright ~ calardan (pl. calardain)
Librarian ~ parvon/parvil (m/f), parvor
Magician ~ gollor
Mayor, Ruler ~ condir/condis (m/f)
Mountaineer ~ orodben
Narrator ~ pethron/pethril (m/f), pethor
Painter ~ eleidan ("dream-smith")
Peddler ~ bachor
Pilgrim, Wanderer ~ randír/randís (m/f)
Potter ~ cennan
Rider ~ rochon/rochil (m/f), rochor
Sailor ~ cirion/ciriel (m/f), cirior
Second-in-Command ~ taidron/taidril (m/f)
Servant ~ buiron/buiril (m/f), buior
Shipbuilder ~ círdan (pl. círdain)
Singer ~ linn or linnor
Slayer/Assassin ~ dagnír
Soldier ~ authon/authil (m/f), author
Spearthrower ~ hadron/hadril (m/f), hador
Swordsman ~ magor
Teacher ~ istonon/istoneth (m/f), istonor
Thief ~ celegam ("swift-hand")
Warrior ~ maethor
Watcher/Guardian ~ tirn
Weaponsmith ~ hatholdan
Weaver ~ nathron/nathril (m/f), nathor
Wizard ~ ithron/ithril (m/f), ithor
Writer ~ teithron/teithril (m/f), teithor
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Endearments |
My beloved ~ Melethron/melethril nín (m/f)
My love ~ Meleth nín
Love of my life ~ Meleth e-guil nín
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Small-talk |
How are you? ~ Manen le/ce?
I'm fine/good/well ~ Im maer
I'm not fine/good/well ~ Im úvaer
I'm happy ~ Im beren
I'm sad/gloomy ~ Im dem
I'm tired ~ Im alorven
I'm sick/ill ~ Im caeleb
I'm cold ~ Im ring
I'm hot ~ Im urui
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Exclamations |
Alas! ~ Nae!
At last! ~ Na vedui!
Stars! ~ Elo! (an exclamation of wonder, similar to "wow!" but more poetic)
Behold! ~ Alae!
No/Don't! ~ Baw!
Ah/Oh! ~ Ae!
Be gone! ~ Ego!
By the Sea and Stars! ~ Nan Aear a Geil!
By the Valar! ~ Nan Belain!
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Adventuring |
Silence! ~ Dîn!
Listen! ~ Lasto!
Look! ~ Tiro!
Halt! ~ Daro!
Come! ~ Tolo!
Come in/Enter ~ Minno
Stand ~ Erio ("rise")
Flee! ~ Drego!
Run! ~ Noro!
Rest! ~ Hodo
Wait! ~ Dartho
(any of the above can be followed with hí "here", ennas "there", or hi "now")
Follow me! ~ Aphado nin!
Sit down ~ Havo dad
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Pleas and Prayers |
May Eru protect me/us ~ Berio nin/ven Eru
May Varda watch over me/us ~ Tiro nin/ven Elbereth
May the Valar lead me/us to safety ~Tego nin/ven i Melain am mand
May Oromë be with me/us ~ No enni/ammen Tauron
May Tulkas give me/us strength/courage/victory ~ Anno enni/ammen Enner vellas/gaun/dûr
Lord of the Wind, guide my arrow ~ Hîr e-Hûl, togo bilinn nín
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In Battle |
They're coming ~ Sy telir
Prepare the bows! ~ Tangado i phing!
My bow shall sing with your sword ~ Cú nín linnatha go vagol lín/gín
Release the arrows! ~ Leithio i philinn!
Fire the arrows! ~ Hado i philinn!
Fight! ~ Maetho!
Swords! ~ Meigol!
Protect the horses! ~ Berio idh rych!
Protect the tower/city! ~ Berio i varad/vinas!
To the tower/wall! ~ Nan barad/ram!
Kill him/her/it! ~ Dago hon/hen/han!
Look out! ~ Tiro!
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Battlecries |
Death to the enemy! ~ Gurth enin goth!
Now to victory! ~ Si a thûr!
Die, hideous creature! ~ Firo, ulunn!
For the Valar! ~ Am Melain!
Now comes vengeance! ~ Si tôl acharn!
For death and glory! ~ An ngurth ah aglar!
Begone, darkness! Flame, hope! ~ Ego môr! Lacho estel!
For world's ending! ~ Am methed-en-Amar!
Judgement day is here! ~ Aur baudh sí!
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In times of trouble |
I need help! ~ Boe enni dulu!
Help me! ~ Anno dulu enni!
I need a healer! ~ Boe enni nestor!
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Spells, Chants and Healing |
Golden Sun, may your warmth bring healing to this heart ~ Anor valthen, togo laugas lín nestad enin gûr hen.
Great earth, may you give your strength to this body ~ Ceven dhaer, anno vellas lín enin 'raw hen.
Western Winds, may your breath lift this spirit ~ Suil Annui, erio thûl lín i faer hen.
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Compliments |
You have a heart like a lion. ~ Geril/gerich 'ûn sui raw.
You are a mighty and brave warrior ~ Le/ce maethor veleg ah 'ornui.
You are a skilled and sharp-eyed archer ~ Le/ce pengor vaen a vaecheneb.
You are beautiful like a rainbow ~ Le/ce bain sui ninniach.
Your radiance shines like the moon ~ Law lín/gín síla sui Ithil.
Love sparkles in your eyes ~ Meleth thilia min hin lín/gín.
Your radiant eyes conquered my heart ~ Hin gelair lín/gín orthernir 'uren.
Your beauty took my breath away ~ Thîr vain lín/gín darn thûl nín.
Your eyes are as beautiful as moonlight on the Sea ~ Hin lín/gín bain sui Ithilgalad buin Aear.
Your eyes are blue like the summer sky ~ Hin lín/gín luin sui venel laer.
You look good/joyous/beautiful ~ Thial/thiach maer/beren/bain.
Your beauty shines brightly ~ Baneth lín/gín síla celair.
You are beautiful/so beautiful ~ Le/ce bain/bainon.
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Romance |
I love you ~ Le/gen melin.
I will love you forever ~ Le/gen melithon anuir.
My heart is in your hands ~ Guren min gaim lín/gín.
I believe/trust in you ~ Estelion allen/achen.
Trust in me ~ Estelio enni.
You enchant me ~ Nin luithial/luithiach.
Your song touches my spirit/my heart ~ Lind lín/gín matha faeren/'uren.
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Threats |
I hope the Ents eat you! ~ Harthon in enyd gen medir!
I want to hurl you into the fires of Mt. Doom! ~ Aníron gen haded min noer Orodruin!
I'm going to hurl you into the fires of Mt. Doom! ~ Gen hedithon min noer Orodruin!
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Insults |
Your head is empty ~ Dôl gín lost.
Cowardly dog! ~ Hû úgaun!
Go kiss an orc! ~ Mítho orch!
You smell like an orc! ~ Gerich thû sui orch!
Listen to my laughter! ~ Lasto al lalaith nín!
A big wind pours from your mouth ~ Súlon gwanna nîf gín.
Son of snakes! ~ Lýgion! or Ion lýg!
I abhor/hate you! ~ Gen fuion!
You're ugly and your mother dresses you ~ Thiach uanui a naneth gín gen hamma.
You are stupid ~ Ce uchand.
Orc lover! ~ Melethron/melethril in-yrch! (m/f)
You look hideous! ~ Thiach uanui!
A plague on the stiff necks of the Dwarves! ~ Paw am iaeth thairn en-Naugrim!
Men are weak; there is no honor in Men. ~ Edain uvill. Ú 'orn ned Edain.
The mortals of Rohan need to bathe, for a horse stench is strong upon them! ~ Boe puiad i Firiath Rohan, ath thû roch bell bo hyn!
Love of the Halflings' leaf has dimmed their minds! ~ Meleth enin galenas Periannath gwathrant 'uir huin!
Halflings… They smoke their pipeweed and drink their ale, and know nothing of the world! ~ Periannath… Sy esgiar 'alenas huin a sogar iaulib huin, a istar unad o ardhon!
Wood-Elves… They laugh and sing, but have no knowledge of greater things. ~ Tawarwaith… Sy gladhar a linnar, dan ú-istar naid annaer.
Ents… They speak for a long time but say little. ~ Onodrim… Sy pedir anann dan pedir dithen.
All of Middle-earth would speak Orkish if Sauron had better slaves. ~ Ennorath pedir aen orchen ae Gorthaur garn výl ammaer.
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Sindarin and translations by Taramiluiel;
Page made by Arlo Cúthalion.
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