Conjunction is a part of speech that connects individual words, phrases, clauses and sentences. However other parts of speech such as adpositions, pro-forms, adverbs (called conjunctive adverbs in that case) and even participles and whole phrases) can carry the same function. For example Nûrlâm's “la” is a preposition in “Taskâtuz la ânsh” = “He came after the dawn”, but is a conjunction in “Taskâtuz la ûzh tulguzâ” = “He came after the Sun rose”.
There are two big groups of conjunctions:
Each group has simple one-word conjunctions and complex phrases consisting of two conjunctions or other parts of speech, either following each other or split (e.g. one part joins one clause and the second one joins the other). Some conjunctions may belong to several categories depending on their usage.
Many conjunctions may combine two sequential simple sentences: they stay separated by stop punctuation mark instead of joining into complex sentence with clauses separated by conjunction and comma. This may happen in dialogues, where two sentences are uttered by different persons:
– I don't like fruits.
– Neither do I, meat is much better!
Coordinating conjunctions combine two or more words or phrases into one syntactical unit, or two independent clauses into compound sentence. Coordinating conjunctions do not belong to any syntactical category and do not belong to any of clauses they combine.
Cumulative conjunctions add or combine non-contrasting items or ideas, even if both of them are negative.
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
also, too* | shuz | conj | NL < LOS “shum” (very much, too much) < SV (big, great) | Many orcs hate elves, I hate them too ⇒ Mak uruk mokû golug-hai, damokul shuz |
shazârz | adv | NL, lit. “with this manner”, TK “sha”, EL “za” + LOS “-arz” | Dwarves also hate elves ⇒ Gazat-hai mokû golug-hai shazârz | |
and | agh | conj | TK (LOTR, RI) | Shagrat and Gorbag talked in the tower ⇒ Shagrat agh Gorbag shugbuzû lugumor This sentence has two subjects joined by a conjunction “and”. However it may be analyzed as simplified compound sentence. |
besides | rambarz | adv | NL < ZA “ramb” (side, flank) | Athelas is a healing herb besides a pig forage = Arnpâth kulâ ash shartug barth rambarz bûbgazhk |
both* | za agh zîg | lit. “this and that” | Troll-woman offered two gifts: sword and stallion. Man refused both ⇒ Ologniz thrâhuzâ krul thrân: ash lag agh ash lûkh. Tark narbhuzâ za agh zîg | |
zîg agh isk | lit. “that and another” | What you prefer: man flesh or hobbit flesh? – Both are good ⇒ Mash fibrogb tarkâps ogh kudugâps? – Zîg agh isk bhog | ||
either* | ûgh | pro | lit. “each” | I don't like them either ⇒ Danarbrogbul ûgh Here “either” refers to persons referred by pronoun “them” |
kon | adv | lit. “any” | I don't like them either ⇒ Danarbrogbul kon same as above |
|
shuz | conj | lit. “also” | I don't like them either ⇒ Danarbrogbul shuz and here “either” refers to speaker and the listener(s) |
|
furthermore, moreover | zîgir | pro | lit. “on top of that” | Athelas is a forage for pigs, moreover it's healing herb ⇒ Arnpâth (kulâ) bûbgazhk zîgir ta(kul) shartug barth |
makarzar zîgob | expr | lit. “more of that” | They defeated hordes of orcs and moreover a Balrog ⇒ Takfaikuz hurm urukob agh makarzar zîgob ash Balrog | |
nor1) | agh … nar | conj | lit. “and not” | Shagrat didn't kill a dragon, nor did Gorbag ⇒ Shagrat nardoguzâ ash lûg, agh Gorbag nar only if there was negation before |
plus | gint | v | NL, imperative from verb “gint-” (to add, increase, append, join) < merging DS “gin” (new) with Qenya “yanta-” (to add to, enlarge, increase, augment) and with Gnomish “intha-” (to join to, add, increase, add to) and “gantha” (more) | This sword is sharp and light, plus it glows when orcs are nearby ⇒ Za lag kulâ maig agh sta, gint taghâzh amil uruk mush |
whereby | amasha | pro | NL, lit. “with which” < LOS “mash” (what?) and TK “sha” (together with) | Master made a law whereby it's forbidden to call him Sauron ⇒ Goth krampuzâ ash mogsh amasha bhaudaga bugdutan Sauron |
* - at the end of the phrase
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
along with (this) | shâs | conj | NL, literal translation < TK “sha” (together with) and LOS “as” (across, through) | Some men from the South fought along with the orcs ⇒ Mûd tark hardob maukuzû shâs uruk-hai |
as much … as … | zash mak … zash … | expr | literal translation | Take as much gold as you can carry! ⇒ Snab zash mak lûr zash gipâsh thragut! |
both … and … | agh … agh … | conj | TK “agh” (and), lit. “and … and …” | Both Shagrat and Gorbag didn't want to serve their master ⇒ Agh Shagrat agh Gorbag narhizuzû bûrtut ash goth takob |
in addition (to) | gintautor (…-u) | expr | They got some loot in addition to the money received for joining the war ⇒ Taksnabuz mûd raun gintautor draugûru nântaga gaidautûr ghûthum | |
in sum | ginturmor | expr | In sum, their proposition just says “fuck you all” ⇒ Ginturmor, thrâhurm takob gashnâ tug “htolafûk” | |
neither (of) … | nar (…)ob | expr | lit. “none of” | Neither of them wanted to serve the master ⇒ Nar takob (nar)hizizû bûrtut gothum |
neither (verb) (subject) | (subject) nar(verb) … shuz | expr | lit. “didn't … too” | Gorbag didn't want to serve his master. Neither did Shagrat ⇒ Gorbag narhizuzâ bûrtut goth tab. Shagrat narhizuzâ shuz |
(subject) shuz nar(verb) … | expr | lit. “also didn't …” | ⇒ Shagrat shuz narhizuzâ | |
neither … nor … | nar … nar … | conj | lit. “not … not” | Neither Shagrat nor Gorbag wanted to serve their master ⇒ Nar Shagrat nar Gorbag (nar)hizuzû bûrtut ash goth takob |
on top of that | zîgir | pro | NL “zîg” (that) + “ir” (on, on top of) | They defeated hordes of orcs. On top of that they also killed a Balrog. ⇒ Takfaikuz hurm urukob. Zîgir takdoguz ash Balrog shuz |
Alternative conjunctions present an option or choice of items or ideas, one of them may be negative.
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
or | ogh | conj | LOS (SN) < TK (LOTR, RI) “agh” + English “or” | Would you like meat or vegetables? ⇒ Fihizulg mash, âps ogh barth? |
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
either … or … | ogh … ogh … | conj | lit. “or … or …” | Either the Ring will be destroyed or the World will burn ⇒ Ogh nazgum kubâ shadat ogh thard ghâshub |
… (one time, once), and … (another time) | … asharz … ilisk | expr | lit. “once and another time” | One time he is chill and furious another ⇒ Takul borzûrz asharz agh hûr ilisk |
… (now, today), and … (next time, then) | … zil … la | expr | lit. “now and later” | Now they are telling us “We are the family”, next time they will grudge a maggoty bread for us ⇒ Tak gashnak zil “Dak rank”, la takrarkub ash zombûrz mazg dakûr |
whether … or … | makon … ogh … | expr | lit. “any … or …” | I don't care whether you steal or buy it – bring it to me! ⇒ Danargirkh makon fi orskulgan ogh fitûzulgan – thrakan dazûr! |
mashkon … ogh … | expr | lit. “whatever/whichever … or … ” | Whether you find a ring or other trinket on prisoners, they belong to the Master ⇒ Mashkon gigimbulg ash nazg ogh isk nîd, takaud gothûr |
Adversative conjunctions help to express contrast or exceptions of ideas.
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
although | nân | conj | LOS < Quenya “nan” (but, on the contrary, on the other hand), “ono” | Although I don'like elves personally, they are good on taste ⇒ Nân danarbrogb golug-hai shrasi, tak nîr thaikat |
though | Orcs are superior in combat, not in the forests though ⇒ Uruk-hai kulû bhogaz dogror, nar tauzor nân | |||
but | I don't like dwarves, but I hate elves more ⇒ Danarbrogb gazat-hai, nân damok golug-hai makar | |||
but | ap | conj | NL < Quenya “apa” | Gorbag is my friend, but loot is more precious ⇒ Gorbag shauk, ap raun turkûrzar2) |
even | yal | conj | HG | Even the spirits are afraid ⇒ Yal hûb (kulû) uglaga |
however | marzkon | pro | NL | We defeated them, however with great loss ⇒ Dakfaikuzul marzkon mak dogauksha |
yet | He fell off the cliff yet survived ⇒ Talûmp fip bo marzkon takibruz | |||
instead* | sazgishi | n + postp | NL < Sindarin “sad” (place) merged with LOS “stazg” (place) < SV + TK “ishi” (in) | The Fellowship could go through Rohan Gap but they went through Moria instead ⇒ Shaukurm pâshulgâ ukhut Lûkhuzg Zaghirzi tuk ap takukhuz Ronkbûrzirzi tuk sazgishi |
nevertheless | nar mikarzar zîgob | expr | lit. “not less of that” | The wizard knew that Moria was dangerous but agreed to go that way nevertheless ⇒ Saunorum îstuzâ zamash Ronkbûrz kuzâ razgûrz nân nar mikarzar zîgob akhuzâ ukhut zîg mûl |
nonetheless | He didn't like them but invited nonetheless ⇒ Tanarbrogbuzul ap nar mikarzar zîgob tabroskuzul | |||
otherwise | iskarz | pro | NL < “isk”, merging Quenya “exë” with LOS “izg” (I) | The White Wizard thinks otherwise ⇒ Saunorninkum ûsâ iskarz |
arzisk | pro | Attack of the orcs rallied dwarves, elves and men, otherwise they would fought each other ⇒ Dîsum urukob gaiduzâ gazat-hai, golug-hai agh tark-hai, arzisk takmaukulg ash isk |
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
in place of | inor (…)ob | expr | NL, “in” (place) + “or” (in) + “ob” (of) | He put some garbage in place of treasure ⇒ Tagaithuz mûd glod inor mirnob usually literally about place or location |
instead of | Shagrat will be on guard instead of Gorbag ⇒ Shagrat tudubâ inor Gorbagob about people and their actions |
|||
on the contrary | rambiskir | expr | NL, “on the other side” | Athelas didn't help his wounds, on the contrary it was poisonous to orc ⇒ Arnpâth narbhokuzâ tab rulûr, rambiskir ta kuz holmûrz urukûr |
on the other hand | nalgiskir | expr | NL, literal translation | I hate elves, on the other hand they are delicious ⇒ Damok golug-hai, dak thaikûrz nalgiskir |
Gradational conjunctions take part in comparisons of equal, not dependent items or ideas. They may be similar to adversative and comparison conjunctions but with less contrast.
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
rather3) | hîsarzar | adv | NL “hîs” (adj.) (fast, quick, swift, soon, rathe, etc.) + adv. suffix “-arz” + comparative suffix “-ar” | I would rather go ⇒ Da ukhulg hîsarzar |
than | snû | conj | LOS < MB | My axe is bigger than yours! ⇒ Pulkdab dauzar snû fib |
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
it is not that … but … | nar kogarz … ap hîsarzar | expr | lit. “not truly a … but rather …” | It's not that orcs didn't want to fight, but they didn't want to serve their lord ⇒ Nar kogarz uruk narhizû maukut ap hîsarzar taknarhiz bûrtut goth takob |
not (really, exactly) … but (rather) … | ||||
not (so) much … as … | nar zamak … zîgmaksi … | expr | lit. “not so much … as that much …” | We were on the road. Well, it's not so much of a road as path ⇒ Dak kuz mûlumir. Bhog, ta nar zash zamak ash mûl(ob) zîgmaksi ash mong |
not only/just … but (also) … | nar tug … ap (shazârz) … | expr | literal translation | I am not only smart and beautiful but also humble ⇒ Dakul nar tug tunkûrz agh nîr ap shazârz zaud |
not only/just … but … too | nar tug … ap … shuz | expr | literal translation | And not just the men, but the women and the children, too ⇒ Agh nar tug nor ap niz agh khind shuz. |
rather … than … | hîsarzar … snû … | adv | literal translation | I would rather eat maggoty bread than elvish food ⇒ Hîsarzar dathrokhulg zombûrz mazg snû golugûrz throk |
Clarifying conjunctions provide more detailed, precise or clear description of items or ideas. May be similar to alternative conjunctions.
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
actually | kogarz | adv | NL < ZA “kog-” (to speak, tell truth) | Actually, they couldn't fly to Mordor on Eagles ⇒ Kogarz taknarpâshulg skoirut Uzgbûrzu shorir |
indeed | Bolg is indeed strong ⇒ Bolg kulâ pol kogarz | |||
really | Men flesh is really delicious! ⇒ Tarkâps kulâ kogarz thaikûrz! | |||
truly | The ring is truly powerful! ⇒ Nazgum kulâ balûrz kogarz | |||
certainly | rûzarz | adv | LOS “rûz” (sure) (adj) < HG | Bolg was certainly a strongest orc ⇒ Bolg rûzarz kuz ash uruk bolgaz |
durtarz | adv | LOS “durt” (adj) (sure, certain) | ⇒ Bolg kuz ash uruk bolgaz durtarz | |
especially | zasharz | adv | NL, similarly to HG < SV “shumza” (very much this), but with LOS (SN) “sharz” (very) | Don't anyone in, especially with weapons! ⇒ Nardabh haikon shiksut, zasharz yaksha |
particularly | Salted meat is particularly good ⇒ Kaishaga âps kulâ nîr zasharz | |||
specifically | He told specifically about capturing that tower ⇒ Tagashnuz gus dikaut zîg lug zasharz | |||
namely | îzarz | adv | NL “îz” (name) (n) | Orcs, namely Shagrat and Gorbag, want freedom from the Dark Lord ⇒ Uruk-hai, Shagrat and Gorbag îzarz, hizû sligurm Gothbûrzbo |
precisely | aktarz | adv | NL < ULK “aktum” (accuracy, precision, marksmanship) | I was going to do precisely this ⇒ Dakrampuzuth aktarz za |
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
for sure | rûzarz | adv | LOS “rûz” (sure) (adj) < HG | I will help you for sure ⇒ Dabhokub gizûr rûzarz |
durtarz | adv | LOS “durt” (adj) (sure, certain) | He was for sure strong ⇒ Takuz durtarz bolg | |
in fact | kogurmirzi | expr | lit. “by fact” | Bilbo's ring was in fact Sauron's ⇒ Nazg Bilbob kuz Sauronob kogurmirzi |
in other words | ghîshirzi isk, ghîshiskirzi | expr | lit. “by other words” | In current circumstances we cannot accept your proposition, in other words – fuck you! ⇒ Shi gugsh radûrz daknarpâsh bhûlut thrâhurm gib, ghîshiskirzi, htolaf! |
it means | za/zîg/amash idrâ | expr | lit. “this/that/what means” | The rising sun is red, it means the blood was shed at night ⇒ Ûzhum tulgug karn, za idrâ zamash ghorum smurbâkuzâ shi fugh |
or rather | ogh hîsarzar | expr | literal translation | They gave to dwarves some unwanted weapons or rather useless tools ⇒ Takthroguz gazatûr mûd narnargag yak ogh hîsarzar kram narushdûrz |
that is | zîg kulâ | expr | literal translation | He is Balrog, that is fallen Maia ⇒ Ta Balrog zîg kulâ hûb lûmpuga |
id est (i.e.) | ||||
so to speak | gashnat zârz | expr | lit. “to say so” | He was, so to speak, an embodiment of hope ⇒ Takuz, gashnat zârz, ash turm khardurmob |
that's to say | ||||
to be exact | kulat aktûrz | expr | literal translation | He was killed by servants of Sauron, to be exact, by Nazgûl ⇒ Tadogâkuz snagarzi Sauronob, kulat aktûrz, Nazgûlirzi |
to be precise | ||||
without doubt | shanar hush / hush shanar | expr | literally | Without doubt a Balrog can defeat a human ⇒ Shanar hush ash Balrog pâsh faikut ash tark |
Subordinating conjunctions often introduce adverbial clauses, and thus many of them strictly speaking belong to relative pronouns and pro-adverbs (see Pro-forms). Similar functions may be carried by clauses with infinitives and gerundives without auxiliary words. Subordinating conjunctions are the part of dependent clause.
Descriptive conjunctions are in fact relative pronouns. They take the role of determiners in the sentence.
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
insomuch | zamaku | pro | “za” (this) + “mak” (much) + “-u” (to) | He hates elves insomuch that he can't even eat them ⇒ Tamok golug-hai zamaku zamash yal tanarpâsh throkhutul |
such | zâsh | pro | “za” + “ash”, lit. “this one” | He is such a terrible person! ⇒ Ta zâsh shrabhau! |
that | zamash | pro | “za” + “amash”, lit. “this, which …” | The house that Snaga built ⇒ Ozdum zamash Snaga tumbuz |
what | amash | pro | “am-” (relative pronoun prefix) + “ash” (one) | You reap what you sow ⇒ Fisrunt amash fisruth |
which | amash, amai | pro | as you can see, there is no special word for “which” in Nûrlâm; “what” or “who” are used instead | I don't know which way to go ⇒ Danarîst amash mongirzi ukhat |
Which one of you did this? ⇒ Amai ash gib krampuz za? | ||||
who | amai | pro | “am-” (relative pronoun prefix) + “-hai” (people) | He, who hides in shadows ⇒ Ta amai fauthâ bathor |
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
no more … (than …) | nar makarzar … snû … | expr | literal translation | He fights no more ⇒ Tamauk nar makarzar = Tanarmauk makarzar ⇒ He doesn't fight anymore |
She has no more brain than a hen ⇒ Nabrus nar makarzar tunk snû ash porg | ||||
so many, so much | zamak | pro | “za” (this) + “mak” (much) | The pot cooked so much food that it flooded the village ⇒ Khûzum throbuzâ zamak throk zamash talauduz fulzum |
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
after | la | prep | LOS | Wash your hands after shitting ⇒ Yol fib nalg la bagaut |
before | ik | prep | LOS | Run before I kill you! ⇒ Irz ik dadogam! |
finally | -ûk | suffix, adv | TK, clitic adverb of aspect | I have finally won ⇒ Dafaikuzûk 4) |
gorzarz | adv | DS “gorz-” (to end, finish) | I have finally won ⇒ Dafaikuz gorzarz | |
just | -îs | suffix, adv | NL < LOS “îs-” (to begin), clitic adverb of aspect | He have just came in ⇒ Tashiskuzîs |
lately | shiladil | adv | HG “lad” (late) (adj) | Lately he is been avoiding people ⇒ Shiladil tanarl hai |
shîlad | adv | ⇒ Tanarl hai shîlad | ||
once | nokh | adv | LOS < HG | Wormtongue was once a man of Rohan ⇒ Zomlâm kuz nokh ash nor Lûkhuzgob |
asharz | adv, num | TK “ash” (one) | Once upon the time in Middle-Earth ⇒ Asharz Noduzgor | |
since | ghâr | prep | HG < LOS “ghâra” (from) | I haven't seen him since Monday ⇒ Danarkinuzan ghâr shilârsh “ghâr” is used primarily with events described in one word |
amilah | pro | NL, “amil” (when) + “-ah” (from), “whence” | I haven't seen him since he left the city ⇒ Danarkinuzan amilah taranguz goim | |
soon | -uth | suffix, adv | NL < Gnomish “mu”, “mutha” (will, I am going to, I am about to); clitic adverb of aspect | The Sun will rise soon ⇒ Ûzh tulgubâtuth |
still | zizil | adv | NL, lit. “until now” | Snaga still builds the house ⇒ Snaga tumbâ ozdum zizil |
yet | Snaga didn't finished the house yet ⇒ Snaga nargorzuzâ ozdum zizil | |||
then | zîgil | pro | NL, lit. “that time”, from SV “il” (time) and NL “zîg” (that) | The hobbit put on the ring then disappeared ⇒ Kudugum tupuzâ nazgum zîgil bhanuz |
till | zi | prep | LOS | Fight till the last drop of blood! ⇒ Mauk zi lîmptîl ghorob! |
until | Do not return until you finish your quest! ⇒ Narkruskât zi figorzub fib sogurm | |||
when | amil | pro | NL | I will return when Sun rises ⇒ Dakruskâtub amil ûzh tulgubâ |
whenever | milkon | pro | NL, “mil” (when?) + “kon” (any) | You may come whenever you want ⇒ Fi ilf skâtut milkon finargub |
while | kusn | conj | LOS < SV | He was singing a song while going home ⇒ Talashuz ash laush kusn ukhuz mokhu |
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
at last | gorzarz | adv | lit. “finally”, DS “gorz-” (to end, finish) | After the long journey they reached Gondor at last ⇒ La rodh ukhaut takbarluz Gunduzg gorzarz |
at the same time | shi zash il | expr | literal translation | He hates elves, but loves their tast at the same time ⇒ Tamok golug-hai ap shi zash il tabrogb shaubum takob |
before long | -uth | adv | lit. “soon”; NL < Gnomish “mu”, “mutha” (will, I am going to, I am about to); clitic adverb of aspect | Gondor will fall before long ⇒ Gunduzg zadubâtuth |
by the time (when) | ik ilum (amil) | expr | lit. “before the time” | The enemies will be already in Gondor by the time he reach it ⇒ Kuth kubû Gunduzgor dok ik ilum amil tabarlub za |
every time | ilûgh | pro | literal translation | He tells the same joke every time we meet him ⇒ Tagashn zash hokum ilûgh dakhogan |
for (a) long (time) | expr | furn rodharz | literal translation | I haven't seen him for a long time ⇒ Danarkinuzan furn rodharz |
furn ilrodh | ||||
long before | zi rodharz/ilrodh ik | expr | lit. “by/until long before”, “by long time before” | This elf started fighting long before you was born ⇒ Za golug îsuzâ maukut zi rodharz ik finozduz |
meanwhile | shi zil/zîgil | expr | “at this time”, “at that time”, “at now”, “at then” | Hobbits were eating salted pork meanwhile ents were fighting Saruman's orcs ⇒ Kudug throkhuzû bûbâps kaishaga shi zîgil ornog-hai taduzû uruk-hai Sharkûb |
next (time) | (shi) (il)ab | expr | NL < DS prefix “ab-” (after, behind, following) | “What to do next?” ⇒ “Mash krampat abarzar”5) = “Mash krampat shi ilab”6) |
no sooner than | naruthar snû | expr | literal translation | No sooner had they escaped Wargs than they were captured by goblins ⇒ Takdikâkuz urukirzi naruthar snû takirzuz hîrgah |
now that | zil amil | expr | lit. “now when”, may be written as one word | Now that Gorthaur won, orcs may sleep peacefully ⇒ Zil amil Gorthaur faikuzâ, uruk-hai ilfû lorut borzarz |
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
whence (from where) | aminah | pro | elative case from “amin” (where) | Return to the hole whence you came! ⇒ Kruskât gronkumishi aminah fiskât! |
where | amin | pro | NL, relative prefix “am-” + “in” (place) | In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie ⇒ Uzgbûrzor amin bathum kâtû |
wherever | minkon | pro | NL, “min” (where?) + “kon” (any) | The Great Eye will find you wherever you may run ⇒ Bhahontum gimbubâtam minkon fi ilfulg irzut |
whither (whereto, to where) | aminu | pro | allative case from “amin” (where) | I don't know where to go (to) ⇒ Danarîst aminu ukhat |
Essive case postposition “-si” and adpositions “zash” and “oth” may all mean “as”. The difference is that “-si” and “oth” are used only when there is only one object of comparison or with second object (reference, to compare with). Essive case ending “-si” is used only with one word long objects, while “oth” may precede the longer phrase. And “zash” precedes the first object of comparison (what to compare). “Oth” is extrapolated from personal name “Othrod” interpreted as “As-a-Mountain”, but this may be wrong and the word may change it's meaning in the future. So two-object comparison may be done with “zash … zash …” or “zash … …-si” (the last only if second object is expressed with one word). Also “oth” means any similarity, while “zash” means identity, equivalence or at least very strong similarity.
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
as | oth | prep | dubious from TK, AO, BOLT, PN “Othrod”, Etym. “OS-” (about, around) | When in Mordor, do as the Uruk-hai do ⇒ Amil Uzgbûrzor, kramp oth Uruk-hai krampû |
-si | postp | NL < Quenya “sívë”, Sindarin “sui” | As your friend I advice you to not go there ⇒ Shauktabsi dathrâham narukhut zîgin | |
like | oth | prep | see above | Troll runs like the Sun is going to rise soon ⇒ Olog khîgâ oth ûzhum tulgubuth/tulgatuth |
-si | postp | see above | He runs like a rabbit ⇒ Ta irz ash tapsi | |
likewise | otharz | adv | see “oth” | Uglúk belched and Snaga did likewise ⇒ Uglûk rugduzâ agh Snaga krampuzâ otharz |
similarly | Elves do not take orcs as prisoners, similarly humans kill them instead ⇒ Golug-hai nardikû uruk glûrsi, otharz tark-hai dogul sazgishi | |||
so | zash | prep | SV | Yes, do so ⇒ Akh, kramp zash |
zârz | pro | NL, adverb from “za” (this) | He is so happy! ⇒ Takul glaz zârz |
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
as … as … | zash … …si | expr | SV “zash” (same, adj) NL “-si” (-like) < Quenya “sívë”, Sindarin “sui” NL “oth”, dubious from TK PN “Othrod”, Etym. “OS-” (about, around) | He is as fast as the rabbit ⇒ Takul zash hîs tapumsi |
zash … oth … | expr | He was as furious as impetuous storm at that battle ⇒ Takul zash hûr oth raumgor shi zîg dogr | ||
zash … zash … | expr | He is not as smart as he thinks ⇒ Tanarkul zash tunkûrz zash ta ûs | ||
as if | ghungsi | conj | NL, LOS < SV “ghung” (if) + NL “-si” (-like) | You speak so, as if you have already defeated the dragon ⇒ Figashn zârz ghungsi fifaikuz lûgum dok |
as though | ||||
as much … as … | zash mak … zash … | expr | literal translation | Grab as much gold as you can carry! ⇒ Rop zash mak lûr zash gipâsh kolut! |
just as … so … (too) | zash … zârz … (shuz) | expr | lit. “same … so …” | Just as body needs exercises to stay healthy, so does the mind ⇒ Zash kraur bolkâ tailurm zârz agh samd |
zash … zârz (agh) … |
These conjunctions start clause describing the cause of action in the main sentence.
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
because | taitaga …(-irzi) | pastp | lit. “caused (by)” < NL “tait-” (to cause) < Gnomish “caith” + Quenya “tyar-” < Etym. “KYAR” | He died because of your fault ⇒ Taghuruz taitaga saugfibirzi (mostly in expression “because of”, when cause can be described in one word) |
zîgah zamash | expr | lit. “from that that”, “thence that” | People think I'm insane because I am frowning all the time ⇒ Hai îstû zamash da trîn zîgâh zamash dalork ilûk | |
for | zârzamarz | conj | NL, “zârz” (so, thus, hereby) + “amarz” (how), lit. “thus is how” | Forgive me, father, for I have eat your breakfast ⇒ Gont dazûr, krank, zârzamarz dathrokhuz ashrokilfib |
since | ghâr | prep, conj | HG < LOS “ghâra” | Since you are already here, help yourself! ⇒ Bhok îmûr ghâr gi(kul) zin dok |
why | (a)mûr | pro | NL | I don't why they have chosen this way ⇒ Danarîst amûr tak gobhuz za mûl |
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
that's why | zîgûr | pro | NL, “for that” | He was shot by the elves, that's why he doesn't like them ⇒ Tabauzâkuz golugirzi zîgûr tanarbrogbul |
zazah | pro | NL, “from this” | ⇒ Tabauzâkuz golugirzi zazah tanarbrogbul |
These conjunctions mark clause describing the effect of action in the main sentence.
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
accordingly | mbursharz | adv | LOS “mbursh-” (to match, fit) | We haven't been paid for a long, accordingly we will do nothing ⇒ Dakbhagâkuz rodharz, mbursharz daknarkrampub ashkon |
consequently | laskâturmsi | expr | NL < LOS “la” (after) + “skât-” (to come) + “si” (as), lit. “as the result” | Volcanic ashes sent by the Dark Lord shielded the orcs from the Sun, consequently they could march towards Gondor faster ⇒ Hîsht urunshob hîstaga gothbûrzirzi lazguzû uruk-hai ûzhbo, laskâturmsi takpâshuz thûkhut Gunduzgu hîsarzar |
hence | zazah | pro | NL, “za” + Elative case suffix “-ah”, lit. “from this” | All buildings in Gondor are built of stone, hence it's name (Stone City) ⇒ Tumbambûk Gunduzgor tumbâkuzû gundob, zazah zab îz |
hereby, so, thus | zârz | pro | NL (so, thus, hereby) | I hereby sentence you to exile ⇒ Zârz danûmpam hîgurmu |
zarzi | pro | NL, lit. “by this” | So you have chosen death! ⇒ Zarzi figobhuz gurzum | |
subsequently | hîlarz | adv | LOS “hîl-” (to follow) < Quenya “hilya” | We captured them and subsequently tortured prisoners to gain the information ⇒ Dakdikuzul agh hîlarz dakbalguz glûr nântat îsturm |
thereby, so, thus | zîgarz | pro | NL < “zîg” (that) | He stood thus for almost an hour ⇒ Tabinuz zîgarz furn ash sib gûth |
zîgirzi | pro | NL, lit. “by that” | Hobbit signed the contract, thereby got the right on 1/14th of profits ⇒ Kudug tanuzâ gîzdum, zîgirzi brashuzâ forsh ashir nukhantûrz raunob | |
therefore | dai | conj | DS (therefore, then, in that case) | I think, therefore I am ⇒ Da ûs, dai da kul |
zîgah | pro | NL, lit. “from that” | The Fellowship noticed Saruman's spies and therefore took another way ⇒ Shaukurm kunduzâ nûsh Sharkûb agh zîgah lautuzâ isk mong | |
zazah | pro | NL, lit. “from this” | There are elves in this forest, therefore you should be careful ⇒ Golug-hai kulû tauzazor, zazah fimaug kulut gîrd |
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
by that | zîgarz | pro | NL < “zîg” (that) | Azog carved his name on the Thrór's head and called dwarves beggars, and by that ignited the war between Dwarves and Orcs ⇒ Azog drabuzâ yaztab kazir Thrôrob agh bugduzâ gazat-hai hasauk, agh zîgarz stakuzâ ghûthum gazat-hairi agh uruk-hairi |
zîgirzi | pro | NL, lit. “by that” | He shot their leader and by that brought the victory ⇒ Tabauzuz dughal takob agh zîgirzi thraguzâ faikum | |
(that's) how | (za/zîg/zin) amarz | expr | lit.: (this/that/here) how | And that's how I met your mother ⇒ Agh zîg amarz dahoguz krankniz fib |
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
if | ghung | conj | LOS < SV < SV “ghug” (to be, live, exist) | Run if you see a Balrog ⇒ Irz ghung fikinulg ash Balrog |
when | amil | pro | NL, relative “when” | When in Mordor, do as the Uruk-hai do ⇒ Amil Uzgbûrzor, kramp oth Uruk-hai krampû |
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
if … then … | ghung … dai … | expr | literal translation | If there will be elves then kill them ⇒ Ghung golug kulg zîgin dai dogul! |
Purpose is usually described by clauses with gerundive or infinitive.
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
for | -at | gerundive | TK, RI, analysis from PE 17 | These boots are made for walking ⇒ Za hobh krampâkuzû ukhat |
in order to | Valar must sink Númenor in order to save the human race ⇒ Balmâgz maugû drûshut Dhûnshuzg bharnat tark-hai |
See also adversative conjunctions.
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
anyway | konarz | pro, adv | NL, “kon” (any) + “arz” (adverb suffix) | He warned hobbits that Cirith Ungol is dangerous but they went there anyway ⇒ Tarazguz kudug zamash Ungrik kul razgûrz, ap takukhuz zîginu konarz |
arzkon | ||||
despite | narhonug …u | expr | lit. “not looking towards” | Hobbits went to Cirith Ungol despite the warning ⇒ Kudug ukhuzû Ungriku narhonug razgumu |
puthug …u | expr | lit. “spitting towards” | They reached Orodruin despite all struggle ⇒ Takbarluz Urundûmp puthug u tadurmûk |
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
after all (this) | la (za) ûk | expr | lit. “after this all” | They had a victory after all the struggle ⇒ Takfaikuz la tadurmûk |
even if even though | yal ghung | conj | lit. “even if” | I would not fight the Balrog even if you offer me all the money ⇒ Danartadulg Balrogum yal ghung fithrâhulgiz draugumûk |
despite (the fact that), in spite of, regardless of that | narhonug zîgu | expr | lit. “not looking towards that” | Orodruin was erupting, regardless of that fact it was cold nearby ⇒ Urundûmp zgabuzâ, narhonug zîgu kuzâ grazarz mush |
with all (this) | zasha ûk | expr | lit. “with this all” | With all his rough speech, he is a nice person deeply in heart ⇒ Zasha lâmpîgtabûk, ta kul shranîr nodor dhun |
Many adverbial conjunctions of time and place may be used also for reason and consequences. And some conjunctions have several functions in English but translated differently into Nûrlâm.
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
as (similarity) | si | postp | NL < Quenya “sívë”, Sindarin “sui” | He is brave as a lion ⇒ Ta for ash rorsi |
as (simultaneous, time) | kusn | prep | see “while” | The signs started to glow as the moon appeared on the sky ⇒ Tan ghâzhuzûtîs kusn shil thakuzâtûk nûtir |
hence (place) | zinah | pro, adv | lit. “from this place” | I'm going hence because you party is boring ⇒ Da ukh zinah taitaga birtgibirzi frâd |
hence (time) | zilah | pro, adv | lit. “from this time” | Our journey will take a year hence ⇒ Gaburm dakob frunubâ ash lau zilah |
hence (reason/result) | zazah | pro, conj | lit. “from this” | Mithril is very rare, hence very expensive ⇒ Thîribir kulâ raih sharz, zazah turkûrz sharz |
just (recently, immediately) | -îs7) | adv, suffix | NL < LOS “îs-” (to begin) | Somebody just started to knock at the door ⇒ Ashmûd tuhuz(ât)îs pandu |
-ûn8) | adv, suffix | NL < LOS “ûn” (new) < HG | Somebody just knocked at the door ⇒ Ashmûd tuhuz(ât)ûn pandu | |
just (a little, barely, probably) | -âzh | adv, suffix | NL | Open the gate just a little! ⇒ Badzâzh hûm! |
just (only, simply, exactly) | tug | adv | EL | I'm just a modest worker ⇒ Dakul tug ash bulal zaud |
since (reason/time) | ghâr | prep | HG < LOS “ghâra” (from) | Since you have finished your task, here is one new for you! ⇒ Ghâr figorzuz bulfib, pot ash (bul)gin fizûr |
amilah9) | pro | lit. “from time” | I haven't eaten since yesterday ⇒ Danarthrokhuz amilah ârshik | |
so | zârz | pro | Why do you speak so? ⇒ Mûr figashn zârz? | |
zarzi | pro | lit. “by this” | So you have chosen death ⇒ Zârzi figobhuz gurzum | |
so (comparison) | zash | pro | She is so beautiful! ⇒ Na zash nîr! | |
still | zizil | conj | lit. “until this time” | Stone trolls are still standing where Bilbo met them ⇒ Gundolog binû zizil amin Bilbo taduzâtul |
rad | conj | LOS (“now”) | I'm still loving you ⇒ Dabrogbamrad | |
then (consequence) | dai | conj | DS | If you want be healthy then exercise regularly ⇒ Ghung fihiz kulut môglûrz dai tailok |
then (at that time) | zîgil | pro, adv | lit. “that time” | We didn't know about this then ⇒ Daknarîstuz gus za zîgil |
rîg | adv | LOS “rad” (now) + SV “atîg” (there) | It doesn't seem important back then ⇒ Za narbozduz horm rîg | |
then (next in time) | la | adv | LOS | And then there was silence ⇒ Agh la kuzâ ghilurm |
lârz | adv | LOS “la” + adverb ending “-arz” | And then there were none ⇒ Agh lârz nan irnuzû | |
thence (time) | zîgilah | pro | lit. “from that time” | They have returned a year thence ⇒ Tak kruskâtuz ash lau zîgilah |
thence (place) | zîginah | pro | lit. “from that place” | They travelled to Misty Mountains and thence to Lothlórien ⇒ Tak haruz Rodu Hizgûrz agh zîginah Uzglûrzu |
thence (consequence) | zîgah | pro | lit. “from that” | You're lazy, thence I will not pay you ⇒ Gi frûz, zîgah danarbhagubaf |
when (time) | amil | pro | SV “il” (time) | He was already dead when I came ⇒ Takuz gûrz dok amil daskâtuz |
when (condition) | When in Mordor, do as the Uruk-hai do ⇒ Amil Uzgbûrzor, kramp oth Uruk-hai krampû | |||
whence (place) | (a)minah | pro | lit. “from where” | Whence does he come? ⇒ Minah taskâtuz? |
whence (reason, cause) | zîgah | pro | lit. “from that” | This job is dangerous, whence the high reward ⇒ Za bul razgûrz, zîgah târ raunum |
while (time) | kusn | conj | SV | Everyone died while he was wandering ⇒ Ashûgh matuz kusn tagabuz |
while (contrast) | nân | conj | LOS < Quenya “nan” (but, on the contrary, on the other hand), “ono” | While Dark Lord is revered, he is not liked by the orcs ⇒ Nân Gothbûrz gorthâkâ, tanarkul brogbaga urukirzi |
yet (time) | rad | adv | LOS (“now”) | The ring wasn't found yet ⇒ Nazgum nargimbâkuzâ rad |
zilu | pro | lit. “to this time” | Why the food is not here yet? ⇒ Mûr throk narkulâ zin zilu? | |
zizil | conj, adv | lit. “until this time” | Orcs didn't conquer the world yet ⇒ Uruk-hai narpaikuzû thard zizil | |
yet (contrast) | marzkon | pro | “however” | The wizard fell into the abyss yet survived ⇒ Saunorum lûmpuzâ skâmbumishi marzkon kibruzâ |
English | Nûrlâm | Part of speech | Etymology | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
as far as (place) | Their land stretches as far as the sea ⇒ Uzg takob sîga zash baubarz zash kârshum | |||
as far as (time) | zash baubarz zash | conj | literal translation | The war goes as far back as 2793 of the Third Age ⇒ Ghûthum ukhâ krut zash baubarz zash lau krul mink agh udug tusk agh krithnuk agh krig kûrmob krigûrz |
as far as (gradation, descriptive) | zash mak zash | lit. “as much as” | As far as I know, Balrogs do not have real wings ⇒ Zash mak zash da îst, Balrog narbrusû skoir kog | |
as far as (concerning, regarding) | zamash gus | conj | lit. “that about” | As far as I'm concerned, this plan is a mistake ⇒ Zamash gus da, (da ûs) za panturm kulâ ash saug |
as long as (time) | zash rodharz zash | conj | literal translation | You can stay at our home as long as you wish ⇒ Gipâsh irnut mokhor dakob zash rodharz zash gi irm |
so long as (place) | more like “so long as” | Grishnákh's arms are so long as he all ⇒ Bazg Grishnâkhob kulû zash rodharz zash ta ûk | ||
as long as (condition) | ghung | conj | lit. “if” | You are allowed to enter as long as you leave your weapon outside ⇒ Gidabhâk shiskut ghung girangub yak gib lût |