Mando'a Language Rules and Phrases

Grammar notes

Mando'a sentence structure was very similar to Galactic Basic: that is, subject-verb-object. There were a few points of difference, though. Mando'a was intended primarily as a spoken language, and rules were put in place to make it easily pronounceable.

Plural


Most words in their plural form looked the same, but ended in an e. If the singular noun ended in a vowel, the plural then ended in se. There were exceptions, however, like Gett'se.
The plural diminutive form of ad was Ad'ike because the diminutive was Ad'ika. One would drop the a and put an e there instead.

Word merging in Mando'a

Many words in Mando'a were merged out of two or more other words, but the translations were usually only one word. Literally, those merged words had a normal, sensible meaning. A good example was dar'jetii which, literally translated, was "no longer a Jedi", but which was actually used to mean "Sith." There were no stated rules about word merging, but it remained an important aspect of Mando'a.

An apostrophe was used in words to indicate that two had been put together, as in compound nouns. When a compound word is difficult to say, the speaker would elide; Mando'a was primarily a spoken language, so ease of pronunciation was paramount. Instead of saying vore entye, for example, the phrase became Vor'entye, which was transformed into Vor'e.

Excluded letters

The letters x, z, and f were not in Mando'a, although a sound similar to that of f presented itself with vh, and z is represented as s.

Clitics

In Mando'a, clitics were freestanding and preceded other words in a sentence. For example, tion was the interrogative clitic, so Karen, tion mhi hibira Mando'a iviin'yc? means: Karen, are we learning Mando'a quickly?

Articles

The words "the" and "a/an" weren't used much in Mando'a, except for emphasis. There were a few Mando'a words for "the," the main one being te, and "a/an" translated to "eyn".

Conjugations

There were two forms of most verbs: the infinitives, which ended in r, and everything else, which do not use the r. For example, one wouldn't have said Ni vorer, but Ni vore. When using auxiliaries like ven or liser, the auxiliary was conjugated and then followed by the infinitive of the full verb. An example would be: "Gar lise jorhaa'ir." ("You can speak.")

Adjectives from nouns

To turn a noun into an adjective, the suffixes -la (lah) and -yc (sh) could be added, either of which could have been chosen depending on ease of pronunciation. A popular example of this was Di'kut. Di'kut itself meant, essentially, idiot. But to turn it into an adjective, the -la suffix was added, resulting in Di'kutla. The suffix -la was used merely because it merged more easily with Di'kut than would -yc; such remained the case under all similar circumstances.

Superlatives and comparatives

Comparatives and superlatives tended to be constructed from adjectives with the suffix -shy'a for the comparative (e.g. dralshy'a: brighter, stronger) or -ne for the superlative (e.g. jatne: best).

Vocabulary

Note: The following section contains words that some may consider to be unsuitable for younglings.

As a special note, it needs to be said that there is no word for "hero" in Mando'a - only a word for those who are not heroes, but "cowards": hut'uun/e.

The following are a few of the known Mando'a words, and the most accurate possible translations thereof.

For the full Mando'a dictionary, see:

Verbs

* atiniir (ah-teen-EER) - to endure, to stick with, to tough it out
* baatir (BAH-teer) - to care, to worry about
* beten - to sigh
* brokar - to beat (heartbeat, drumbeat)
* cuyir - to be, to exist
* dinuir (DEE-noo-eer) - to give
* duraanir - to look down upon, to hold in contempt, to despise
* duumir - to allow
* ganar - to have
* gaan - to want
* hettir - to burn
* hibirar - to learn
* hukaatir (HOO-kaht-EER) - to protect, to cover, to shield
* jehaatir - to lie
* jorso'ran - shall bear (archaic)
* jurir - to bear, to carry
* jorhaa'ir - to speak
* jurkadir - to mess with someone (lit: to brandish a saber)
* kar'taylir - to know
* liser - to be able to, can
* motir - to stand
* narir (nah-REER) - to act (carry out), to do
* nartir (nah-ree-TEER) - to place, to put
* nau'ur (also: sometimes seen as naur) (now-00R) - to light up
* nau'ur kad - to forge a saber
* nynir - to hit, to strike
* oya (OY-ah) - Many meanings: literally "Let's hunt!" and also "Stay alive!", but also "Hoorah!", "Go you!", "Cheers!" Always positive and triumphant.
* parjir - to win, to be victorious
* shabiir - to screw up
* shukur - to break, to smash/tear apart, to crush
* solus - each, individual, alone
* susulur - to hear, to listen
* takisir - to insult
* trattok'o - fall, fail
* udesiir - to relax, to rest, to be peaceful
* verborir - to buy, to hire, to contract
* vorer - to accept

Adjectives and adverbs

* a'denla - vengeful
* adenn - merciless
* ani'la - ultimate
* aruetyc (ah-roo-ay-TEESH) - traitorous
* atin (ah-TEEN) - stubborn
* briikase - happy
* dar (dahr) - no longer
* darasuum - eternal/eternally, forever
* di'kutla - foolish, idiotic (severe)
* draar (drahr) - never
* dral - bright
* dralshy'a (drahl-SHEE-ya) - stronger, more powerful
* ge'tal - red
* hettyc - burning
* hut'uunla (hoo-OON-lah) - cowardly
* iviin'yc - fast, quickly
* jate - good
* jatne (JAT-nay) - best
* kandosii - indomitable, noble, ruthless
* mirdala - clever
* nau - before
* ne'tra - black
* ori (OH-ree) - big, extreme, very
* racin - pale
* shabla - screwed up (offensive)
* shukla - crushed
* solus - one, alone, each, individual, vulnerable
* sol'yc - first
* talyc - bloody (can be used to describe meat as "rare")
* teroch - pitiless
* tome - together
* tracyn'la - grilled, chargrilled, scorched
* troch - certainly
* ures - without
* usen'ye - rudest way to tell someone to go away (same root as osik)

Nouns

* abesh - east
* abiik - air
* a'den - wrath, rage
* adu - sons (archaic)
* ad - son, daughter, child
* ad'ika - kid, lad, boy, sweetie, darling
* aka (AH-kah) mission
* akaan - war
* akaan'ade (AH-kahn-AH-day) army
* aliit (ah-LEET) - family, clan, tribe
* ara'nov - defense
* aruetii (ah-roo-AY-tee) - traitor, outsider, comparable to "them"
* aruetiise (ah-roo-ay-TEE-say) - Aruetii, plural
* ba'buir - grandfather/grandmother
* ba'jur - education, training
* ba'vodu - uncle
* behot - a citrus-flavored herb, antiseptic, and mild stimulant
* beroya (bair-OY-ah) bounty hunter
* beskar - Mandalorian iron
* beskar'ad - droid (literally "child of iron")
* beskar'gam - armor (literally "iron skin")
* Bes'uliik - Basilisk (literally "iron beast")
* birgaan - backpack
* buir (boo-EER) - father/mother
* burc'ya (BOOR-sha) - friend
* buy'ce (BOO-shay, s.); buy'cese (pl.) - helmet; colloquial: pint, bucket
* ca - night
* chakaar - thief, petty criminal, scumbag, bitch, bastard, bugger, (lit: "grave robber")
* chig (CHEEG) - any kind of hot drink, an infusion
* Coruscanta - Coruscant
* cyar'tomade - fans, a group of people with affection for something
* cyar'ika- darling, beloved, sweetheart
* darasuum (dah-RAH-soom) - eternity
* dar'buir (DAHR boo-EER) - no longer a father/mother (very shameful)
* dar'manda (dahr-MAHN-da) - a state of being "not Mandalorian"; not an outsider, but one who has lost his heritage, and so his identity and soul
* dar'jetii - no longer a Jedi (Sith, Dark Jedi)
* dar'yaim - a hell, a place you want to forget
* dha (dah) - dark
* di'kut (dee-KOOT) - a foolish, idiotic, useless individual (severe); context-dependent:can mean jerk, moron, idiot, etc. (sometimes vulgar)
* droten (DROH-ten) - people, public.
* entye (ENT-yay} - debt
* gal - ale
* gayi'kaab - radio
* gayiyli - resurrector
* gett - nut
* ge'verd (ge-VAIRD) - almost a warrior
* gihaal (gee-HAAL) - fish-meal
* gra'tua (gra-TOO-ah) - revenge, vengeance
* hut'uun (hoo-TOON) - coward
* ib'tuur - today (lit: "this day")
* jai'galaar - shriek-hawk
* jatne'buir- best father/mother
* Jetii (Jay-tee) - (the) Jedi
* Jetiise - (the) Republic, plural "Jedi"
* ka'ra - stars
* ka'rta - heart
* kad - saber
* kad'au (kahd-OW) - lightsaber
* kama - backside, back, belt-spat
* Kaminiise - Kaminoans
* kando (KAHN-do) - importance, weight
* ke'gyce - command, order
* kom'rk - gauntlet
* kot - strength
* kote - glory, might
* kyr'am - death
* Mand'alor - Mandalore, leader
* Manda'yaim - Mandalore
* Mando'ad - Mandalorian (lit: Son/Daughter/Child of Mandalore)
* Mar'eyce - discovery
* mirshe - brain, brains
* mirsh - brain cell
* ne'tra gal - black ale
* Niktose - nikto
* norac - back
* ori'ramikade - Supercommandos (lit: Super-raiders with sabers)
* or'dinii - complete lunatic
* osik - crap, poodoo (sometimes vulgar)
* parjai - victory
* prudii - shadow
* rang - ash
* runi - soul(poetic only)
* shebs (shebs, s.); shebse (SHEB-say, pl.) - backside, rear, butt (sometimes vulgar)
* Siit - Sith
* Shuk'om - Crushgaunt
* tal - blood
* tar - starfield, space, star, sky
* tat - brother (Concord Dawn dialect for vod)
* Taungsarang - the ash of the Taung
* tihaar (TEE-har) - an alcoholic drink; a strong, clear spirit made from fruit
* tor - justice
* tracinya - flame
* tracyn - fire
* troan - face
* tsad - alliance, group, organization
* tuur - day
* uj'alayi (OOH-jah-LIE-ee) - a very dense, very sweet cake made from crushed nuts, dried fruit and spices, and then soaked in a sticky scented syrup called uj'jayl. Colloquially known as an Uj cake.
* uj'Jayl (ooh-JAI-ul) - a sticky scented syrup
* vecuyan - aid, assistance, help
* ven - future
* verd - warrior
* vhett - farmer
* vod (VOHD) - brother, sister, comrade
* vode (VOH-day) - brothers, sisters, comrades
* vod'ika - little brother, little sister
* Vongese - Yuuzhan Vong or just Vong
* vul - (VUHL) - remorse
* Werda - shadows (archaic)

Phrases

* Aliit ori'shya tal'din - "Family is more than bloodline." Mandalorian Proverb.
* Ba'slan shev'la. - Strategic disappearance. Mandalorian Phrase.
* Copaani gaan? - Need a hand?
* Gedet'ye - please
* K'atini - Suck it up!
* Kov'nyn-a head-butt; a Keldabe kiss
* Kandosii! - "Awesome!"
* Ke'pare - "Stand by"
* Udesii - "calm down", "take it easy"
* Su'cuy gar! - a friendly greeting (lit: "still live," i.e. "so you're still alive.")
* Resol'nare - Six Actions
* Re'turcye mhi! - goodbye
* Ret'ini - Just in case
* Cuy'val Dar - "Those who no longer exist"
* Vor'e (VOHR-ay.) - thanks, short form of vor entye
* Vor entye - thank you (lit: "I accept your debt")
* Mir'osik - something undesirable where your brains ought to be, i.e. "Dung for brains"
* Haili cetare (HI-lee ket-AH-ray) - Eat up (lit: "Fill your boots")
* Mar'e (MAH-ray) - expression of relief colloquial: "At last!"
* Ke'sush (Keh-SOOSH) - "Atten-shun!"
* Verd ori'shya beskar'gam. - "A warrior is more than (his) armor" (Mandalorian proverb)
* Ner vod (nair vohd) - "my brother/sister" colloquial: "(my) buddy/pal/lad/chap"
* Usenye (oo-SEN-yay) - "Go away!" (obscene)
* Tion'ad hukaat'kama? (Tee-ON-ahd HOO-kaht-KA-ma) - "Who's watching your back?"
* Ori'jate - "Very good"
* Mirsh'kyramud (MEERSH-keer'AH-mood) - boring person (lit: "brain killer")
* Ke nu jurkad sha Mando'ade, burc'ya! - "Don't mess with Mandos, mate!" (lit: "Don't wave your saber at Mandalorians, mate!" )
* Ke nu jurkad ti Mando'ade, burc'ya! - "Don't cross swords with Mandos, mate!"
* Nu jurkad Mando'ade, burc'ya! - a reassurance, comparable to "Steady, mate"
* N'jurkad - "Don't mess with me"
* Tsad droten - Republic, democracy, even government; context-dependent (lit: "people's organization")
* Ib'tuur jatne tuur ash'ad kyr'amur. - "Today is a good day for someone else to die." (lit: "This day (is) the best (for) another person to die.")
* Ni kar'tayli gar darasuum (nee kar-TILE garh dah-RAH-soom) - colloquial: "I love you." (lit: "I know you forever.")
* Haat, Ijaa, Haa'it - Truth, Honor, Vision—said when sealing a pact
* Hukaat'kama (hu-KAHT-ka-MAH) - Watch my back, watch my six
* K'uur - Hush, Be quiet
* Nar dralshy'a - Try harder
* Ke barjurir gar'ade, jagyc'ade kot'la a dalyc'ade kotla'shya. - "Train your sons to be strong but your daughters to be stronger." Mandalorian saying.
* Kom'rk tsad droten troch nyn ures adenn, Dha Werda Verda a'den tratu. - They were the wrath of the warrior's shadow and the Gauntlet of the Republic (A line from a Mandalorian war song, adapted for the Republic Commandos).
* Nu kyr'adyc, shi taab'echaaj'la - "Not gone, merely marching far away" (Mandalorian phrase for the departed)
* Mishuk gotal'u meshuroke, pako kyore. - Pressure makes gems, ease makes decay. Mandalorian Proverb.
* Ori'buyce, kih'kovid. - "All helmet, no head." (Mandalorian insult for someone with an overdeveloped sense of authority.)
* Mandokarla - You've got the right stuff.

Other words

* a - but
* an - all
* ashi - other
* ast - itself
* bal - and
* bah - to
* be - of
* cuun (koon) - our
* kaysh (kaysh) - him, his, he (masculin third person referral)
* ke - imperative prefix
* ke nu - "don't" prefix
* lo (loh) - into
* elek (EL-eck) - yes (colloquial: lek, comparable to "yeah")
* gar - you, your
* haar - emphatic definite article (rare)
* ibic - this
* juaan - beside
* meg (mayg) - which, that, that, who
* meh (mey) - if
* mhi (mee) - we
* nayc (NAYSH) - no (colloquial: shh, comparable to "nah")
* ner (nair) - my
* ni - I
* par - for
* ra - or
* ru - added in front of a noun to make it past tense
* sa - as, like
* sha or shal - at (when used in front of a consonant)
* te - the
* teh - from
* ti - with
* tion - interrogative prefix
* tion'ad - who, interrogative
* vaii - where
* val - they, their, theirs
* ven - future prefix

Numbers

* solus (SOH-loos) - one
* t'ad (tahd) - two
* ehn (enn) - three
* cuir (KOO-eer) - four
* rayshe'a (ray-SHEE-ah) - five
* resol (reh-SOL) - six
* e'tad (EH-tad) - seven
* sh'ehn (shayn) - eight
* she'cu (SHAY-koo) - nine
* ta'raysh (ta-RAYSH) - ten
* olan (o-LAN) - hundred
* ta'raysholan (TAH-raysh-oh-lahn) - thousand