[Tlhingan-hol] Klingon Word of the Day: qu'

[Steven Boozer]

> Klingon word:   qu'
> Part of speech: verb
> Definition:     be fierce

Used in canon:

  qu'bej QoghlIj 
  Your krol is definitely fierce. PK

  jIqu' 
  I am fierce. KLS

  tlhIngan qu' law' tera'ngan qu' puS 
  the Klingon is more fierce than the Terran. (HQ 13.1:8)

  tlhIngan qu' law' Hoch qu' puS 
  the Klingon is the fiercest of all (HQ 13.1:8)

Language notes:

KGT 159:  The verb {qu'} literally means "be fierce". In its slang sense, it may be used adjectivally, as in {taj qu'} ("excellent knife"; literally, "fierce knife"), or as the main verb in a sentence, as in {qu' taj} ("the knife is excellent"; literally, "the knife is fierce"). ... When applied to people or animals, it is not always clear whether the slang or nonslang meaning of {qu'} is intended. That is, {SuvwI' qu'} ("fierce warrior") could be interpreted literally, or it could mean "excellent warrior". When applied to anything other than people or animals, the slang meaning is more likely. Thus, {may' qu'} ("fierce battle") is really a way of saying "excellent battle". In Klingon, only a participant in a battle, not the battle itself, can literally be described as fierce.

Trek notes:

"Even in the midst of ferocious Jem'Hadar, there is no doubt who is the fiercest warrior." (i.e. Worf; KGT 160, ill.)

Related verbs:

naS 		be vicious
ral 		be violent
HoS 		be strong 
HoSghaj 	be powerful
vaQ 		be aggressive


--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons