Dragon Language

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For the alphabet, see Dragon Alphabet.

Dovahzul ( Dovah-Zul, "Dragon-Voice"), the Dragon Language or Dragonish, is the language used in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim by dragons in shouts, on word walls, in names, etc. Provided by the Skyrim Game Guide and in game dialogue translations by Alduin, Paarthurnax, Odahviing, and Durnehviir.

Some may also be found in the books, Dragon Language: Myth no More and Songs of Skyrim. Additionally, each Dragon Priest's name is a word in the Dragon language.

Pronunciation

Some may find the pronunciation of the Dragon Alphabet digraphs "aa", "ah", "ei", "ey", "ii", "ir", "uu", "ur", and "oo" to be confusing.

Digraph	IPA	Example
aa, ah	/ɒ/	thought, taut, hawk
ei	/aɪ/	Ice, eye, pie
ey	/eɪ/	fate, pay, lay
ii	/i/	wing, fling, see
ir ur	/ir/ /ur/	near, fear, tear
oo	/uː/	goose, group, few

However, assuming that the initial syllables heard in the musical pieces for the game are the standard form, then the language takes on a more Scandinavian sound.

"Aa" and "ah" are both a long, open "a" /aː/; the latter, however, being formed more gutturally (sometimes becoming /ɔː/).

"Oo" is used in the instances where the normal "o" sound /o/ (English "port") needs to become long (/oː/), as in the English "door". Only "uu" takes on the sound of an English double-"o" (see the above examples). "ii" would tend to be longer (/ɪː/).

"Ir" and "ur" equate to /ir/ and /ur/, respectively.

Finally, there is a difference between "ei" and "ey": "ei" is pronounced as in German, producing a vowel as in price. "Ey," on the other hand, sounds as in face.

These discrepancies in pronunciation most likely result from the fact that many of these phonemes are not native to (or not the standard in) the English language, as well as the fact that most dovahhe only periodically speak in their native language, so that it wasn't deemed important by Bethesda to properly instruct the voice actors in the pronunciation of the language. This is particularly evident in the fact that most dragons, in the game, do not roll their "r"s; however, both the Main Theme and the Following (Sovngarde Theme Song), feature them exclusively.

Grammar

The language has basically the same grammar as English, with the exceptions that it doesn't have an equivalent to English's apostrophes; it tends to place prepositional phrases earlier in sentences than in English, and doesn't have tense. To pluralize a word, the final letter is repeated and "e" is added (i.e. "grohiik": wolf; "grohiikke": wolves)

Words are constructed in such a way that, when combined, they form new words. A known construction is "Junnesejer", which means "the kings of the east". "Jun" being king and "Jer" being east. Thus, combining words will allow one to convey an idea or another word. For Example: "moon and eclipse" are not present in the vocabulary, but sun ("krein") and night ("vulon") are. The word is based on which of the words is the first because the first word is prominent. If one were to say "vulonkrein", the prominent word would be "night" while the secondary is "sun", and  there would be "moon" (i.e. a light in the night). Vice versa with "kreinvulon", as "sun" is prominent and "night" is secondary, so there would be "eclipse" (darkness where the sun is). With Junnesejer, it means "the kings of the east", but if one were to put it as Jersejun, it would be "East King". "Se" is a conjunction between words that are combined to fill in the particles, but it's just as easily-understood without it.

Common words

Dragon Language	English
Aak	Guide
Aal	May (as in "May his soul")
Aam	Serve
Aan	A/An
Aar	Servant
Aav	Join
Aaz	Mercy
Ag	Burn
Agli	"Your" Burn
Ah	Hunter
Ahmik	Service
Ahmul	Husband
Ahkrin	Courage
Ahraan	Wound
Ahrk	And
Ahrol	Hill
Ahst	At
Ahzid	Bitter
Al	Destroyer / Destroy
Alok	Arise
Alok-Dilon	Necromancy (Arise-Dead)
Alun	Ever
Aus	Suffer
Bah	Wrath
Bahlaan	Worthy
Bahlok	Hunger
Bein	Foul
Beyn	Scorn
Bex	Open
Bo	Fly
Bodiis	Borrow
Bok	Age
Bolog	Beg
Bonaar	Humble
Bormah	Father
Bovul	Flee / Fled
Boziik	Bold / Boldly
Brendon	Specter
Brii	Beauty
Briinah	Sister
Brit	Beautiful
Brod	Clan
Brom	North
Bron	Nord
Bruniik	Savage
Du'ul	Crown
Daanik	Doomed
Dah	Push
Dahmaan	Remember
Daal	Return
Daar	This / These
Denek	Soil
Dein	Keep
Dez	Fate
Dii	Mine
Diil	Undead
Diin	Freeze
Diivon	Swallow
Dir	Die
Dinok	Death
Dilon	Dead
Do	Of / About
Dok	Hound
Dov	Dragonkind (referring to the race of dragons)
Dovah	Dragon
Dovahgolz	Dragonstone
Dovahkiin	Dragonborn
Draal	Pray
Dreh	Do / Does
Drem	Peace / Patience
Drem Yol Lok	Greetings (literally 'peace fire sky')
Drey	Did
Drog	Lord
Drun	Bring/Brought
Du	Devour
Dur	Curse
Dukaan	Dishonor
Dun	Grace
Dwiin	Steel
Dwiirok	Carve
Ek	Her
Enook	Each
Ensosin	Bewitch
Evenaar	Extinguish
Egvir	Season
Faad	Warmth
Faal	The (formal, preceeding a proper noun, "Faal Krein" for "The Sun")
Faas	Fear
Faasnu	Fearless
Fah	For
Fahdon	Friend
Fahliil	Elf
Feim	Fade
Fel	Feral
Fen	Will
Fent	Shall
Feykro	Forest
Feyn	Bane
Fiik	Mirror
Filok	Escape
Fin	The (rarely used)
Fo	Frost
Fod	When
Fodiiz	Hoar
Folaas	Wrong
Folook	Haunt
Fonaar	Charge
Frin	Hot
Frod	Field
Fron	Kin / Related
Frul	Ephemeral / Temporary
Ful	So
Fun	Told
Fundein	Unfurl
Funt	Fail
Fus	Force
Gaaf	Ghost
Gaan	Stamina
Gahrot	Steal
Geh	Yes
Gein	One (to a single person or thing)
Geinmaar	Oneself
Gogil	Goblin
Gol	Earth
Golt	Ground
Golz	Stone
Govey	Remove
Graan	Rout (verb)
Grah	Battle
Grahmindol	Stratagem
Grah-Zeymahzin	Ally (Battle-Companion)
Gravuun	Autumn
Grik	Such
Grind	Meet
Grohiik	Wolf
Gron	Bind
Gut	Far
Haal	Hand
Haas	Health
Haalvut	Touch (noun or verb)
Hadrim, Hahdrim	Mind (noun)
Hah	Mind
Hahkun	Axe
Hahnu	Dream
Heim	Forge
Het	Here
Hevno	Brutal
Heyv	Duty
Hind	Wish, Hope
Hin	Your
Hofkah	Steading
Hokoron	Enemy / Enemies
Horvut	Lure
Horvutah	Caught
Hon	Hear ("Nust hon" - They hear)
Hun	Hero
Huzrah	Hearken
Iiz	Ice
In	Master
Jer	East
Joor	Mortal
Jot	Maw
Jul	Man / Mankind / Humans (see also "Muz")
Jun	King, Light
Junnesejer	Kings of the East
Kaal	Champion
Kaan	Kyne
Kaaz	Cat / Khajiit
Kah	Pride
Kein	War
Keizaal	Skyrim
Kel	Elder Scroll
Kendov	Warrior
Kest	Tempest
Key	Horse
Keyn	Anvil
Kiin	Born
Kiir	Child
Kinbok	Leader
Kinzon	Sharp
Klo	Sand
Klov	Head
Ko	In
Kod	Wield
Kodaav	Bear
Kogaan	Blessing
Kos	Be ("fen kos" - "will be")
Kol	Crag
Komeyt	Issue / Issued / Let loose (verb)
Konahrik	Warlord
Koor	Summer
Kopraan	Body
Kotin	Into
Krah	Cold
Krasaar	Sickness
Kreh	Bend
Kren	Break
Krent	Broken
Krein	Sun (see also "Shul")
Krif	Fight
Krii	Kill
Kriid	Slayer
Kril	Brave
Krilot	Valiant
Krin	Courageous
Kro	Sorcerer
Kron	Conquer
Krongrah	Victory
Kroniid	Conqueror
Krosis	Sorrow, Apologies, Regret
Kruziik	Ancient
Kul	Son
Kulaan	Prince
Kulaas	Princess
L	When added to the end of a word, means "your"
Laan	Want / Request
Laas	Life
Laat	Last
Lah	Magicka
Lahney	Live
Lahvraan	Muster / Gather
Lahvu	Army
Leh	Lest
Lein	World (Mundus - the universe, everything)
Liiv	Wither
Liivrah	Diminish
Lingrah	Long ("Lingrah vod" = "long ago")
Lo	Deceive
Loan	Question
Lok	Sky
Loost	Hath
Los	Is (Combine with other verbs for present tense: "is helping", "is sworn", etc)
Lost	Have / Was
Lot	Great
Lovaas	Music / Song
Luft	Face
Lun	Leech
Luv	Tear (noun)
Maar	Terror
Mah	Fall
Mahfaeraak	Forever
Mal	Little
Med	Like / Similar to
Mey	Fool (noun or verb)
Meyz	Come (become) (i.e. "Meyz fundein" = "come unfurled")
Miin	Eye
Mindok	Know, Known, Knowable
Mir	Allegiance
Miraad	Doorway
Monah	Mother
Monahven	Throat of the world, translates directly to Mother Wind
Moro	Glory
Morokei	Glorious
Motaad	Shudder
Morah	Focus
Motmah	Slip
Motmahus	Slippery, Elusive
Mu	We
Mul	Strong
Mulaag	Strength
Mun	Man
Munax	Cruel
Muz	Men (Plural of "Man", see also "Jul")
Naak	Eat
Naako	Eaten
Naal	By
Naan	Any
Naas	Corpse
Nah	Fury
Nahgah	Psychic
Nahgahdinok	Necromancer (literally, death psychic)
Nahkip	Feed
Nahkriin	Vengeance
Nahl	Living (as in "alive")
Nahlaas	Alive
Nahlot	Silenced
Nau	On
Nax	Cruelty
Neh	Never
Ney	Both
Ni	Not
Nii	It
Nid or Niid	No
Nivahriin	Cowardly
Nimaar	Itself
Nin	Sting
Nir	Hunt
Nis	Cannot
Nok	Lie (as in deceive; verb and noun)
Nol	From
Nonvul	Noble
Norok	Fierce / Fiercest
Nu	Now
Nus	Statue
Nust	They
Nuz	But
Oblaan	End
Od	Snow
Ofan	Give
Ogiim	Orc
Ok	His (used equally with the "ii" form of the possessive)
Okaaz	Sea
Ol	As
Om	Hair
Ond	Lo
Onik	Wise
Onikaan	Wisdom
Ont	Once
Orin	Even (adverb, meaning "fully" or "quite")
Osos	Some
Ov	Trust
Paak	Shame
Paal	Foe / Enemy
Paar	Ambition
Paaz	Fair
Pah	All
Pahlok	Arrogance
Peyt	Rose
Pindaar	Plain
Pogaan	Many
Pogaas	Much
Pook	Stink
Praan	Rest
Prodah	Foretell
Pruzah	Good
Pruzaan	Best
Qahnaarin	Vanquisher
Qeth	Bone
Qethsegol	Stone (literally "bone of earth")
Qo	Lightning
Qolaas	Herald
Qostiid	Prophecy
Qoth	Tomb
Raan	Animal
Rahgot	Rage
Rein	Roar
Rek	She (used equally with the "ii" form of possessive).
Rel	Dominate
Revak	Sacred
Reyliik	Race (Heritage)
Rii	Essence
Riik	Gale
Rinik	Very
Ro	Balance
Rok	He
Ronax	Regiment
Ronaan	Archer
Ronaaz	Arrow
Ronit	Rival (verb)
Rotmulaag	Word of Power
Rovaan	Wander
Ru	Run
Rul	When
Rum	Root
Ruvaak	Raven
Ruz	Then
Sadon	Gray
Saraan	Await
Sah	Phantom
Sahlo	Weak
Sahqo	Red
Sahqon	Crimson
Sahrot	Mighty
Sahsunaar	Villager
Saviik	Savior
Se	Of
Shul	Sun (Word of Power: see also "Krein")
Siiv	Find
Sil	Soul
Sinak	Finger
Sinon	Instead
Sivaas	Beast (see also "Sunvaar")
Sizaan	Lost
Slen	Flesh
Smoliin	Passion
Sonaan	Bard
Sos	Blood
Sot	White
Spaan	Shield
Staadnau	Unbound
Stin	Free (adjective)
Strun	Storm
Strunmah	Mountain
Su	Air
Sul	Day (as in time or moment, e.g. "On this day")
Suleyk	Power
Sunvaar	Beast (see also "Sivaas")
Su'um	Breath
Tah	Pack
Taazokaan	Tamriel (the physical land / continent)
Tafiir	Thief
Tahrodiis	Treacherous
Tey	Tale
Thur	Overlord
Thu'um	Shout ("Storm Voice")
Tiid	Time
Tinvaak	Speak / Speech
Togaat	Attempt
Tol	That
Toor	Inferno
Tu	Hammer
Tuz	Blade
Ufiik	Troll
Ul	Eternity
Unahzaal	Unending / Ceaseless / Eternal (less common than Unslaad)
Unslaad	Unending / Ceaseless / Eternal
Unt	Try
Uznahgaar	Unbridled
Vaal	Bay ("ahst vaal" = "At Bay")
Vaat	Swear
Vaaz	Tear (verb)
Vah	Spring
Vahdin	Maiden
Vahlok	Guardian
Vahriin	Sworn
Vahrukt	Memory
Vahrukiv	Commemorate
Vahzah	True
Vonmindoraan	Incomprehensible
Ved	Black
Ven	Wind
Vey	Cut
Veysun	Ship
Viik	Defeat
Viir	Dying
Viintaas	Shining
Viing	Wing
Vith	Serpent
Vo-	Un- prefix. (opposite of. e.g. unkind, unlikeable)
Vod	Ago ("Lingrah vod" - long ago)
Vodahmin	Unremembered / Forgotten
Vokul	Evil (Literally "ungood")
Vokun	Shadow
Vol	Horror
Volaan	Intruder (literally "unwant"; a taunt used by Draugr: "dir volaan!")
Voth	With
Vos	Able
Vosl	"Your" Able
Vukein	Combat
Vul	Dark
Vulom	Darkness
Vulon	Night
Vus	Nirn
Wah	To
Wahl	Build / Create
Wahlaan	Past-tense: Built / Created / Raised
Wen	Whose
Werid	Praise
Win	Wage
Wo	Who
Wuld	Whirlwind
Wundun	Travel
Wunduniik	Traveler
Wuth	Old
Yah	Seek
Yol	Fire
Yoriik	March
Yuvon	Gold / Golden (adjective)
Zaam	Slave
Zaan	Shout (noun; meaning "Yell", not use of Voice Power)
Zah	Finite
Zahkrii	Sword
Zahrahmiik	Sacrifice
Zeim	Through
Zeymah	Brother
Zii	Spirit
Zin	Honor
Zind	Triumph
Zindro	Triumph's
Zofaas	Fearful
Zohungaar	Heroically
Zok	Most
Zol	Zombie
Zoor	Legend
Zu'u	I am ("zu" = "I")
Zul	Voice (the actual mortal voice, not the power of shouting)
Zun	Weapon

Trivia

• The Dragon language's script is similar in appearance to cuneiform, the written language of ancient Mesopotamia.
• The script of the Dragon language also bears resemblance to the script on the obelisk in Star Trek's 3rd season episode entitled "Paradise Syndrome."
• A possible hidden reference to Looking Glass Studio's "Thief" series exists in the form of the draconic word for thief -- "tafiir."
• When speaking to the player, both Alduin and Paarthurnax will speak in both common and Dragon language, often repeating a word in common after it is said in Dragon so that the player would understand. Dragons tamed with the Bend Will shout will also do this.
• Hostile dragons that the player may encounter in the wild will sometimes taunt the player in the Dragon language.
• "Dovahsebrom" translates to "Dragon of the North".
• Miraak uses a special four-word phrase to consume the souls of dragons ("zii los dii du" - literally "spirit is mine [to] devour"). This is strange, as most phrases or shouts in Dragon language consist of only three words.
• Paarthurnax appears to use the three word phrase "Drem Yol Lok" as a greeting. This translates to "peace/patience fire sky".
• In The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall, the language appears and can be used by the Hero as a skill

External links

• Thuum.org - an unofficial Dragon Language lexicon
• Game Informer - Skyrim's Dragon Shouts, pg 1
• Game Informer - Skyrim's Dragon Shouts, pg 2
• Game Informer - Skyrim's Dragon Shouts
• Game Informer - Translating the Cover

Appearances

• The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
  • The Elder Scrolls V: Dawnguard
  • The Elder Scrolls V: Dragonborn