Dothraki Corpus

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This is the canon of known good sentences in Dothraki given with sourcing and with situational information, from the original text of Martin's books. All references to other languages in the series can go on the Other languages page. All Dothraki words or references from David Peterson should go in the Corpus page. This page chronicles the state of the language before Peterson began making the language.

A Game of Thrones

The chapters in A Game of Thrones are not numbered. The following is a sequential list of some of the less common Dothraki words.

The first reference we have to the Dothraki language is when Dany mentions that "the Dothraki called that land Rhaesh Andahli, the land of the Andhals," (in reference to Westeros).[1]

Later, five Dothraki words are mentioned simultaneously.

"'Drogo is so rich that even his slaves wear golden collars. A hundred thousand men ride in his khalasar, and his palace in Vaes Dothrak has two hundred rooms and doors of solid silver.' There was more like that, so much more, what a handsome man the khal was, so tall and fierce, fearless in battle, the best rider ever to mount a horse, a demon archer."[2]

At the wedding ceremony, Dany describes the Dothraki feasting, with " their voices harsh and alien in Dany's ears". This seems to suggest that not many Dothraki frequent Pentos, and that their language is significantly different from the Pentos language. And later, "They had no common language. Dothraki was incomprehensible to her, and the khal knew only a few words of the bastard Valyrian of the Free Cities, and none at all of the Common Tongue of the Seven Kingdoms." The first refence to an arakh follows: "...in the blink of an eye the arakhs were out, long razor sharp blades, half sword and half scythe."[3]

The bloodriders are mentioned at the wedding:

The khal's bloodriders offered her the traditional three weapons, and splendid weapons they were. Haggo gave her a great leather whip with a silver handle, Cohollo a magnificent arakh chased in gold, and Qotho a double-curved dragonbone bow taller than she was.[4]

Drogo's gift involves a translation that should be interesting, as well as the word for Dany's position:

Khal Drogo said something in Dothraki and Magister Illyrio translated. "Silver for the silver of your hair, the khal says."..."Custom decrees that the khaleesi must ride a mount worthy of her place by the side of the khal."..."Tell Khal Drogo that he has given me the wind." The fat Pentoshi stroked his yellow beard as he repeated her words in Dothraki, and Dany saw her new husband smile for the first time.[5]

Dany, upon first seeing the Dothraki Sea, marvels at the green of the grass. Ser Jorah responds: "And this is only hranna, child. There are a hundred kinds of grass out there..." Later, they are interrupted by voices, and she notes that "Her handmaid Irri and the young archers of her khas were fluid as centaurs."[6]

When Viserys is ordered to walk behind the column, he is laughingly called Khal Rhae Mhar the sorefoot king, and later, having taken a cart, Khal Rhaggat the Cart King.[7]

Dany is told that she must appear before the dosh khaleen, all of whom had once been khaleesi, but now held council in Vaes Dothrak. Cohollo is mentioned next, as the warrior who had "saved the young khalakka from sell-swords", Drogo at that point not yet being a full khal.[8]

Another quote provides some full phrases:

“Khalakka dothrae mr’anha!” she proclaimed in her best Dothraki. "A prince rides inside me!" She had practiced the phrase for days with her handmaid Jhiqui.
The oldest of the crones, a bent and shriveled stick of a woman with a single black eye, raised her arms on high. “Khalakka dothrae!” she shrieked. The prince is riding!
“He is riding!” the other women answered. “Rakh! Rakh! Rakh haj!” they proclaimed. A boy, a boy, a strong boy.[9]

There are some extraneous notes about native Dothraki second language learners: "Drogo was quick to learn when he put his mind to it, though his accent was so thick and barbarous that neither Ser Jorah nor Viserys could understand a word he said."[10] When Drogo tries to say "Daenerys", he says: "Is good name, Dan Ares wife, moon of my life."[11] This may have some implications for the vowel structure of Dothraki.

The first zoological term is given to refer to a lion: "Drogo would take his bloodriders and ride in search of hrakkar, the great white lion of the plains."[12]

There are references later to more Dothraki words. As always, it is unsure how literal the Dothraki translation will be:

Jaqqa rhan moved among them, the mercy men with their heavy axes.[13]

This was after the battle against the Lhazareen, whom the Dothraki call the haesh rakhi, the Lamb Men.[14] The word ai is used here for the first time, assumedly to mean yes, or some sort of obedience.[15]

The Dothraki word for general is mentioned, as ko: "Mago, who rides in the khas of Ko Jhaqo." This is confirmed later. As they are mentioned, a Lhazareen named Mirri Maz Duur speaks, who is described as a maegi:

A maegi was a woman who lay with demons and practiced the blackest of sorceries, a vile thing, evil and soulless, who came to men in the dark of night and sucked life and strength from their bodies.[16]

Later, Mirri Maz Duur states that: "You call me maegi as if it were a curse, but all it means is wise."[17] It is possible that this is not a Dothraki word, especially as it is brought up by Qyburn of the Citadel as a possible explanation for why an old crone in Lannisport was called 'Maggy'.[18]

Proper Names

There are several Dothraki names given in the first book. Khal Drogo is by far the most used. But there are others, and not all from his khalasar:

""Those three are Drogo's bloodriders, there," he said. "By the pillar is Khal Moro, with his son Rhogoro...""[19]

Two Dothraki names are present in Viserys gift:

Irri and Jhiqui were copper-skinned Dothraki... "Irri will teach you riding, Jhiqui the Dothraki tongue..."[20]

Jhogo is listed as being one of her khas,[21] as well as Quaro, who is mentioned as liking horse sausage.[22]

Aggo and Rakharo are listed as the khal's bloodriders,[23] as well as Cohollo, who had "saved the young khalakka from sell-swords", Haggo and Qotho.[24]

Other Dothraki are mentioned in Vaes Dothrak: "Behind the wise women came the others; Khal Ogo and his son, the khalakka Fogo, Khal Jommo and his wives..."[25]

Drogo says that he is the son of Bharbo, when he promises Dany Westeros.[26] This is the only Dothraki word to have a /b/ in it.

Two final Dothraki names are mentioned: "Maggo, who rides in the khas of Ko Jhaqo."[27]

A Clash of Kings

There is a clear adjectival derivation from qoy, blood, as laid out by David Peterson:

"The Dothraki named the comet shierak qiya, the Bleeding Star."[28]

Vaes Tolorro, the city of bones, is most likely a Dothraki word, as it shares vaes with Vaes Dothraki.[29]

Dothraki is described as being guttural.[30]

The Dothraki call the Qartheen Milk Men: this is the second collective plural name for a people group, as opposed to naming them based upon their place of habitation or autonyms.[31]

It is known that the Dothraki pray to a horse god,[32] and believe that the stars of spirits of the valiant dead.[33] This may provide interesting forms of supplication or prayer.

Ser Jorah uses an English plural on the Dothraki word ko. The Dothraki plural ought to be -i, as in lajaki warriors. This quote also shows the names Jhaqo and Pono, the latter being illegal in Dothraki except in proper names.

"Ser Jorah frowned. “Princess, hear me. The Dothraki will not follow a suckling babe. Drogo’s strength was what they bowed to, and only that. When he is gone, Jhaqo and Pono and the other kos will fight for his place, and this khalasar will devour itself. The winner will want no more rivals. The boy will be taken from your breast the moment he is born. They will give him to the dogs . . . ”

A Storm of Swords

Two of the Bloody Mummers are Dothraki: Iggo[34] and Zollo.[35] Later, the Dothraki who fought the Qohorik Three Thousand Unsullied is named as Temmo.[36]

The Dothraki do not have a word for sea, calling it the poison water.[37] When a storm hits the boats, Dany hears "the riders praying in thin quavery voices."[38]

Daenerys' narration,[39] and Ser Jorah later,[40] both use the english plural -s after ko.

Ser Jorah refers to Vaes Tolorro as Vaes Tolorru at one point. This may be a simple misspelling.[41]

A Feast for Crows

In the final teaser chapter for A Dance with Dragons, "That is known" is used instead of "It is known", suggesting that it is not an entirely frozen idiom.[42]

References

  1. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 30.
    ISBN 978-0-553-57340-4
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  2. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 32.
    ISBN 978-0-553-57340-4
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  3. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 101-2.
    ISBN 978-0-553-57340-4
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  4. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 104-5.
    ISBN 978-0-553-57340-4
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  5. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 105.
    ISBN 978-0-553-57340-4
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  6. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 226-7.
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  7. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 385.
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  8. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 391.
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  9. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 490.
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  10. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 492.
    ISBN 978-0-553-57340-4
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  11. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 493.
    ISBN 978-0-553-57340-4
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  12. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 584.
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  13. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 665.
    ISBN 978-0-553-57340-4
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  14. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 666.
    ISBN 978-0-553-57340-4
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  15. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 668.
    ISBN 978-0-553-57340-4
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  16. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 670-1.
    ISBN 978-0-553-57340-4
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  17. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 798.
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  18. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (2005). A Feast for Crows. Bantam Dell. p. 544.
    ISBN 978-0-553-80150-7
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  19. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 36.
    ISBN 978-0-553-57340-4
    .     
  20. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 104-5.
    ISBN 978-0-553-57340-4
    .     
  21. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 226-7.
    ISBN 978-0-553-57340-4
    .     
  22. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 588.
    ISBN 978-0-553-57340-4
    .     
  23. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 492.
    ISBN 978-0-553-57340-4
    .     
  24. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 391.
    ISBN 978-0-553-57340-4
    .     
  25. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 492.
    ISBN 978-0-553-57340-4
    .     
  26. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 594.
    ISBN 978-0-553-57340-4
    .     
  27. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1996). A Game of Thrones. Bantam Dell. p. 670.
    ISBN 978-0-553-57340-4
    .     
  28. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1999). A Clash of Kings. Bantam Dell. p. 187.
    ISBN 0-553-57990-8
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  29. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1999). A Clash of Kings. Bantam Dell. p. 201.
    ISBN 0-553-57990-8
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  30. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1999). A Clash of Kings. Bantam Dell. p. 202.
    ISBN 0-553-57990-8
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  31. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1999). A Clash of Kings. Bantam Dell. p. 423.
    ISBN 0-553-57990-8
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  32. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1999). A Clash of Kings. Bantam Dell. p. 703.
    ISBN 0-553-57990-8
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  33. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (1999). A Clash of Kings. Bantam Dell. p. 927.
    ISBN 0-553-57990-8
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  34. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (2000). A Storm of Swords. Bantam Dell. p. 42.
    ISBN 0-553-38170-9
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  35. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (2000). A Storm of Swords. Bantam Dell. p. 345.
    ISBN 0-553-38170-9
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  36. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (2000). A Storm of Swords. Bantam Dell. p. 96.
    ISBN 0-553-38170-9
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  37. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (2000). A Storm of Swords. Bantam Dell. p. 86.
    ISBN 0-553-38170-9
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  38. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (2000). A Storm of Swords. Bantam Dell. p. 87.
    ISBN 0-553-38170-9
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  39. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (2000). A Storm of Swords. Bantam Dell. p. 92.
    ISBN 0-553-38170-9
    .     
  40. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (2000). A Storm of Swords. Bantam Dell. p. 97.
    ISBN 0-553-38170-9
    .     
  41. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (2000). A Storm of Swords. Bantam Dell. p. 898.
    ISBN 0-553-38170-9
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  42. ↑ Martin, George R.R. (2005). A Feast for Crows. Bantam Dell. p. 759.
    ISBN 0553582038
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