Phrases
Quenya
The texts beneath were composed by Tolkien at some point in his life. They have undergone and are still undergoing extensive analysis by the Tolkien linguistic community.
Click or tap on the header to learn more about them.
Aia María
Tolkien’s translation of the Ave Maria prayer into Quenya
Alcar i Ataren
Tolkien’s translation of the Gloria Patri prayer into Quenya.
Alcar mi Tarmenel na Erun
Tolkien’s translation of the Gloria in Excelsis Deo prayer into Quenya.
Ambidexters
An interesting text on Elvish dexterity from the Eldarin Hands, Fingers & Numerals.
Átaremma
Tolkien’s translation of the Lord's Prayer into Quenya
Comparatives and superlatives
In Parma Eldalamberon 17, Tolkien gave several examples of comparatives and superlatives. These are interesting to study.
Do what you deem wise!
An example of negation in Quenya, both as an independent adverb as well as a prefix.
Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo!
A star shines on the hour of our meeting! Frodo's greeting to the Elves.
Elendil’s Oath
Elendil’s oath made upon arriving in Middle Earth, repeated by Aragorn when he assumed kingship of Gondor.
Galadriel's lament
One of the longest Quenya texts, it was sung by Galadriel when the fellowship departed Lórien. Also called Altariello nainië Lóriendessë in Quenya.
Hypothetical mood using cé
Cé is used where the hypothetical is 'unreal' in the sense that it is the opposite of what the speaker is advising.
I believe in Aragorn
An example how to express belief in statements, reports, traditions, etc.
I gave a book to him
I presented him with a book.
I have found it!
Aragorn cried out in delight when he found a sapling of the white tree.
In raiments of many colours
Tolkien demonstrating how to use three different forms of ‘and’.
Litany of Loreto
Tolkien’s translation of the Litany of Loreto into Quenya.
Manen lambë Quendion ahyanë?
"How did the language of Elves change?" Ælfwine of England's question to the sage and linguist Pengoloð during his stay on Tol Eressëa.
Master of doom, doom mastered
Niënor Níniel, Túrin's sister's words for Túrin when she thought him dead. From the great tragedy of The Children of Húrin.
Merry Christmas!
The letter was discovered in an auction on July 10th, 2019. The letter contains an ancient Elvish translation of 'Merry Christmas'.
Nieninque “Snowdrop”
A beautiful poem from Tolkien's “A Secret Vice.”
Ortírielyanna (Sub Tuum Praesidium)
Tolkien’s translation of the Sub Tuum Praesidium prayer into Quenya.
Path of the Moon
"Between Heaven and Earth goes the path of the Moon" in Quenya.
Potential mood using quí
An example how to express suppositions in Quenya.
Praises of Cormallen (Quenya)
Exaltation of Frodo and Sam on the field of Cormallen.
The Last Ark
A beautiful poem in Quenya that appears in the Monsters and the Critics.
Try harder!
Plotz wanted to know how to express "try harder!" in Quenya. Tolkien demurred, and certainly gave it some thought!
Winter is coming
A demonstration how the verb uva- can be used independently.
*Neo-quenya
The texts beneath were not composed by Tolkien! They were instead composed by fans and students of his elvish languages. We believe the texts are of a sufficient standard to be published on our website.
*A Hymn to Elbereth, in the Tongue of Valinor
A Quenya translation of the hymn [[*A Elbereth Gilthoniel*]], with an attempt to maintain the original iambic meter.
*A person's child is a person's purpose
Funny word play by Tamas, who refers to the phrase as a "Middle-Earth saying."
*Airalindë Vardanna Eldaron Arcimbelëo
A Quenya translation of the title of the poem otherwise known as [[*A Elbereth Gilthoniel*]].
*Asking for the impossible
A potential idiomatic expression from the Middle Earth.
*Light thickens
Findegil's translation of lady Macbeth's aria in act II of Verdis Macbeth. Findegil is the co-founder of the Mellonath Daeron, the language guild of the Forodrim, the Swedish Tolkien society.
*Love and desire
Act I, Scene I in Duke Orsino's palace.
*Merry Christmas - a neologism
Merry Christmas in Quenya. Translated by the Mellonath Daeron.
*Nalyë melda
A poem for someone special. Originally published within Vinye Lambengolmor.
*Praise of mercy
"The quality of mercy" occurs during Act 4, Scene 1, set in a Venetian Court of Justice. The speech is regarded as one of the great speeches in Shakespeare. The text was translated by Findegil of Mellonath Daeron.
*The Ring Verse in Quenya
Findegil's translation of the notorious Ring verse. Findegil is the co-founder of the Mellonath Daeron, the language guild of the Forodrim, the Swedish Tolkien society.