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How to speak Khazalid 101

By Poison

Have you ever wondered what that dwarf in your team is talking about throughout the game? If you have, then this is the answer for you:
A guide about all the words our mighty dwarf calls out during a game.

Award

Created by

Poison
Online

Category: Characters, Classes, Co-op, Game Modes, Gameplay Basics, Maps or Levels, Multiplayer, Secrets, Story or Lore, Walkthroughs

Languages: English

Posted

Updated

26 Jan, 2019 @ 5:06am

5 Mar, 2021 @ 12:51pm

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Guide Index

Overview

Introduction

Basic Khazalid

Bardins commonly used quotes

Weapons

Two Handed Hammer

Crossbow

Great Axe

Grudge-Raker

Hammer and Shield

Handgun

Drakefire Pistols

Gods (W.I.P.)

Thank you and a little reminder

Helpers

Comments

Introduction

First of all: I am no warhammer lore expert. I do have a little bit of knowledge, but not nearly as much as many people on the forums of this and other games. I'm also not one of those admirable dudes who is able to speak a fantasy language fluently. I do, however, have a big interest in the warhammer fantasy lore which is why I wanted to make a guide related to it and gain some knowledge aswell. If any of you experts are out there reading this: I'm thankful for your help and criticism.

I'm also not a native english speaker, so if you encounter any mistakes: Please let me know! I'd be very thankful for it.

Basic Khazalid

Khazalid is known widely as the secretive high language of the Dwarfs. They seldom speak this ancient tongue before other races, deeming outsiders unworthy to hear it. Dwarfs naturally have loud, rumbling voices, and when they speak Khazalid, their speech is like thunder rolling amidst the mountains or the scraping of rock against rock. It is a hard, forceful, and sometimes guttural sound. The language reflects dwarfish passions and contains hundreds of words describing different types of rock, tunnels, and gold.

The first principle of the dwarf tongue is that almost all of its words represent solid physical things. There are surprisingly few specific words for abstract concepts. As a result many words double up as both a physical thing and an abstract concept strongly associated with that thing. For example, the root word for 'big-stone' is kar and the most common word for a mountain is karaz -- the 'az' ending denoting a single material thing or specific place. The same root word, kar, is also used to mean enduring in the form 'karak' - the 'ak' ending denoting an abstract concept. Thus Karaz-a-Karak, the name of the dwarf capital, means 'enduring mountain' or literally 'big stony stone place', though the name is more attractively rendered into human speech as Everpeak.

Curiously, the dwarf word for the race of men is umgi, whilst its abstract form of umgak means 'shoddy' - the dwarf word being equivalent to 'man-made'. To many, this demonstrates how important it is to look at the end of dwarf words - for it is these special 'signifiers' which usually tell you what the word actually means. There are many types of signifiers, some of which are given below, and by combining the different signifiers with root words it is possible to expand the basic Khazalid lexicon given here.

Bardins commonly used quotes

http://warhammerfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Khazalid
http://whfb.lexicanum.com/wiki/Khazalid_lexicon
http://whfb-de.lexicanum.com
http://www.bugmansbrewery.com/tutorials/article/114-dwarf-language-khazalid-a-definitive-guide/
These websites were used for many of these translations, plus the in-game descriptions of some items while also using some more logical translations in some cases. For example:

Wazzok in Khazalid means something like: A Dwarf who has exchanged gold or some other valuable item for something of little or no worth; a foolish or gullible Dwarf; an insult.

Wazzok in english 'slang' can be seen in many ways: There are thoughts of it being an adaption of 'oiseau' which is french for 'bird'. In french there are many types of birds which are used as an insult, so hencewise this could originate from being picked up there. The more commonly translations translate into: foolish, stupid, daft, which seems to be the meaning our good friend Bardin has aswell.

Khazalid

English

Dawri

Comrade (the Khazalid word for 'Dawr' literally translates as 'like dwarf' which further implies good and reliable things.)

Drengbarazi

Companions ('Dreng' means 'to slay, to kill', while 'baraz' translates into 'bound by the oath of slaying'.)

Azumgi

Kruber, respectively 'Sturdy Man', or even 'Waraxe Man', ('Az' stands for 'Warxe', and 'Umgi' for 'Men, humandkind'. But since we know that 'Az' can also point out a specific place or material it could also point out a specific person. So 'Azumgi' is probably a charming name for Kruber. 'Az' could also be a variation of 'Azul' meaning: 'Sturdy'.)

Wutelgi

Kerilian ('Wut' standing for 'Wood, sticks' and 'Elgi' for 'Elf'.)

Grimgi

Saltzpyre (A salty boi, 'Grim' standing for 'Harsh, unyielding'.)

Zharrin

Sienna ('Zharr' for 'Fire' and 'Rinn' for 'Lady'.)

Boga

Weakling (A candle which blows out unexpectedly plunging the tunnel into darkness.)

Raki

Skaven

Thagi (or Thaggoraki)

Assassin ('Thagi' stands for a murderous traitor.)

Zharr'dum

Warpfire Thrower ('Zharr' translates into 'Fire' and 'dum' into 'doom/darkness'.)

Kazaki'dum

Chaos Warrior ('Kazak' translates into 'War of battle' or roughly into warrior.)

Klad Kazaki

Armored Warrior ('Klad' meaning 'Armour' and 'Kazak' translating into 'War of battle' or roughly into warrior.)

Rakogri

Ratogre

Guzdumi

Lifeleech ('Guz' means to consume or eat something, while 'dum' stands for 'doom', respectively 'chaos'.)

Zilazdumi

Blightstormer ('dum' stands for 'doom', respectively 'chaos'. 'Zilfin' stands for 'windy', hence ziflaz points out a thing, respectively a noun because of 'az'. It stands for 'wind'.)

Raki'Zharr

Warpfire Thrower ('Raki' is 'Skaven/Ratmen' and 'zharr' is 'fire'.)

Weapons

Now we are getting into the substance: Bardin has many weapons, with very interesting names which I will now try to translate as precisely as possible. In some cases I was able to translate each word in the weapon, but not put it into one fitting name:

Two Handed Hammer

Weapon

Translation

Grundreugi

Great Hammer ('Grund' meaning hammer and 'Reugi' meaning great.)

Strollaz Grundreugi

Wander's Great Hammer ('Strol' stands for: 'Travelling leisurely'.)

Donglizrikkazen

****crusher ('Dongliz' roughly translates into: 'The parts of a Dwarf’s body impossible for him to scratch', while 'Rikkaz' is another word for hammer, respectively 'Crusher'.)

Stokdawazbakaz

Headbutt Contester ('Stok' means: 'To hit or strike', daw is an adaptation of 'Dawr', 'Az' means 'War axe' and 'Bak' translates into: 'Fist, punch'. The ingame description goes as follows: "Headbutting contests are not unknown between drunken dwarfs, although Brokk Snorrisson's practice of wielding his warhammer as a proxy combatant was soon frowned upon.")

Mhornarstrok

Shadowstriker ('Mhorna' meaning: 'shadow' and strok probably standing for an adaptation of 'strike'. While 'to strike' is normally 'stok', this could possibly be a synonym.)

Rinnaz Grundreugi

The Queens Greathammer ('Rinna' stands for 'Queen' and the description of this weapon points out that it is the hammer of a dwarfen queen.)

Rikaz Grundreugi

The Kings Greathammer ('Rik' stands for 'King' and the description of this weapon points out that it is the hammer of a dwarfen king.)

Zondreugi

The Great Sun ('Zon' stands for 'Sun' and 'Reugi' for 'Great'. The description of the weapon in-game mentions the forging of this hammer in the rays of the rising sun and describes it as a beacon of hope in even the darkest places.)

Crossbow

Weapon

Translation

Wutrothzan Drekmaraz

Redwood Crossbow ('Wutroth' is the wood from ancient mountain oak, 'Zan' is blood or the colour red. 'Drek' stands for 'Far distances' or 'Great ambitions' and 'Maraz' for 'Splitter'.)

Lhunekvinn

Moon Lady ('Lhune' stands for 'Moon' and 'Kvinn' means 'Lady'.)

Dokmaraz

Eye Splitter ('Dok' stands for 'Eye'.)

Vengrynaz Drekmaraz

Grudgesettler ('Vengrynaz' stands for 'Vengeance'.)

Elgimarazok

Elf-Slayer ('Marazok' in this case meaning 'Slayer'.)

Zakiaz Drekmaraz

Hermits Crossbow ('Zaki' stands for an isolated hut, hence 'Zakiaz' is the personification of that. The in-game description mentions that this weapon belongs to a hermit.)

Great Axe

Weapon

Translation

Az-Dreugi

Waraxe ('Az' stands for 'Axe' and 'Dreugi' for 'War'.)

Skarrenruf Maraz

Sky Splitter ('Skarrenruf' translates into the colour bright blue or 'The day time sky'.)

Uzkulaz

Death Axe ('Uzkul' means 'Bones, death'.)

Skruffsmakaz

The Axe That Strikes The Unworthy ('Makaz' means 'weapon', while 'Skruff' is either 'A scrawny beard' or an outrageous insult. This example shows how difficult the language is to interpret, because the in-game translation means something hardly similar to the individual translations.)

Drungazaz

Defeater's Waraxe ('Drung' stands for 'Defeating or vanquishing'.)

Bozdokaz Az-Dreugi

Madman's Axe ('Bozdok' roughly translates into madman, but the precise translation is: 'Unhinged as a result of constantly banging one’s head on low roofs and pit-props'.)

Ghullaz Az-Dreugi

Again, not so sure what this one stands for. The description of the in-game weapon notes some sort of redemption and guilt involved by expulsion.

Maraz Ungor

Cave Splitter ('Maraz' translates into 'Splitter' and 'Ungor' into 'Cavern'.)

Grudge-Raker

Weapon

Translation

Dammaz-Thrund

Grudge-Raker ('Thrund' stands for 'Handgun' and 'Dammaz' for 'Grudge, grievance'.)

Dronthrund

Thundergun ('Dron' standing for 'Thunder'.)

Drungirorkaz

Winners Call ('Drung' translates into 'Deafeat, Vanquish' and 'Rorkaz' is a 'Informal Shouting Contest'. The description of the weapon in-game mentions a proverb: 'he who shouts loudest, wins.' I didn't manage to come up with a smooth name for this weapon.)

Dronak Ginit-Barag

(I interpreted 'Dronak' as the 'colossal black powder charge' from the in-game description, while 'Ginit' stands for: 'Small stone which works its way into your boot causing discomfort.'. 'Barak' is used for describing a 'War Machine'. The description of this weapons mentions it being able to shoot many small things, which are probably improvised, with a massive black powder charge. Again, I did not manage to come up with a smooth name.)

Gromdalbarag

Ancient War Gun('Gromdal' means 'Ancient Artifact'.)

Hammer and Shield

Weapon

Translation

Karingrund

Hammer and Shield ('Karin' is translated into 'Shield, temporary protection'.)

Karak Smakit

Enduring Breaker ('Karak' stands for 'Enduring', while 'Smak' stands for striking something, hence 'smakit' could be translated into 'smack it' aswell.The in-game descpription calls this one 'Mountain Breaker', however, 'Karaz' is the Khazalid word for Mountain, so there might be an error.)

Dalkaringrund

Old Shield ('Dal' is the equivalent to 'Old, good'.)

Throngdrengiaz Karingrund

King's Champions Weaponry ('Throng' means 'Army, huge assembly of dwarfs or a clan', while 'Drengi' referrs to 'Slayers'. The in-game description of this item refers to the king's champions and their weaponry. Again, a smoother name doesn't come to my mind.)

Grundalaz Karak-Skaud

Battlesong Shield ('Grundalaz' roughly translates into 'Shield', while 'Karak-Skaud' referrs to 'Battlesong'. You gotta help me out with names.)

Darkaringrund

Challenger's Shield ('Dar' is the equivalent to 'Challenger'.)

Handgun

Weapon

Translation

Thrund

Handgun ('Thrund' is translated into 'Handgun'.)

Ongrunaz Thrund

Mercenary's Handgun ('Ongrun' translates into 'Ally, mercenary'.)

Dronvarfaz Rork

Shouting Thunderwolf ('Dron' stands for 'Thunder', while 'Varf' stands for a 'Wolf'. 'Rork' is probably an adaption from 'Rorkaz', which stands for 'A informal shouting contest'.)

Zarazaz Kantuzthrag

'Zarazaz' roughly translates into 'Poison, venom', while 'Kantuz' is the number 100. The weapon description mentions something about the massive size of a wound this weapon can make, so 'Kantuz' must have something to do with that.

Thrynthrag

The Punisher ('Thrag' stands for 'Wound'. While I couldn't find any translations for 'Thryn', I did find the word 'Thrynaz', which translates into 'Rules, laws or a codex', hence the combination of them both would lead to believe that it symbolises some sort of punishment.)

Aldthrund

Old Gun('Ald' meaning 'Old'.)

Drakefire Pistols

Weapon

Translation

Drakktuk

Drakefire Pistols ('Drakk' means 'Dragon' and 'Tuk' is 'Two'.)

Zintiaz Drakktuk

Tinkerer's Drakefire Pistols ('Zin' stands for 'Tin' and 'Zinti' means 'Tinsmith, Tinkerer'.)

Naggrundak Drakktuk

Devastation ('Naggrund' stands for 'An area of great upheaval, devastation or industry'. 'Ak' signifies that the word represents a concept, similarly to 'Az'.)

Rhuni Drakktuk

Runic Drakefire Pistols ('Rhun' stands for 'Rune'.)

Nornak Drakktuk

Earthscorcher ('Norn' stands for 'Barren Land'. Again, the use of 'Ak' seems to point towards a concept of the barren land, a symbolization of some sort. The in-game description leads to believe that it has something to do with dragon bones and the translator points out Karak Norn aswell. Karak Norn is a dwarfen fortress set out in the grey mountains and first to be ruled by a queen. It also seems to be the poorest in terms of minerals, hence the aspect of 'Barren Land'. 'Nornak' could mean something along the lines of 'land burned beyond recognition'.)

Grimdrakktuk

Ferocious Drakefire Pistols ('Grim' stands for 'Harsh, Unyielding'.)

Gods (W.I.P.)

Thank you and a little reminder

Thank you for reading this far. I hope you enjoyed my guide and again: if there are any mistakes, I'll gladly correct them and add missing quotes, if you've encountered any.

I also need help with the bold weapons: I can't come up with any fitting names for them, so if you are a creative mind feel free to write something down in the comments :)

Helpers

The guys noted below helped me out with a few translations and other lore-related stuff, and I thought they deserve a special thanks. Props go out to:

Neumeusis
Nuff_Said
gggame
Brynjolfr
Zija
Business Casual Sauron
Deja Vu
darth.crevette
Tack
Rellek
Mr. Citrus
Percipio
Julius Seizure

87 Comments

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Poison [author] 17 Jun @ 2:15pm

I'll think about it. I am also inclined to add all the comments helping out once more. I appreciate your comment.

[R] Nerva 17 Jun @ 1:59pm

Then do everyone one small favor, because not everyone's going to read back through several pages of comments to find the notice you posted four years ago that you're no longer working on this guide.

Edit the title or description of the guide to include a notice that it is discontinued and no longer updated, or perhaps add it to your Reminder section, and remove the notices throughout the guide asking for help and clarification.

Poison [author] 17 Jun @ 8:43am

Hello, last time I wrote that I am studying for my degrees hencewhy I discontinued this guide. That was 2021. I am not lying, but I am still studying and have another masters coming up tomorrow. Also: I think I might subconsciously still study because I don't want to finish this guide anymore even though I have lots of in between time. I guess I am just not identifying with it anymore. Still, I should finish it one day. Thank you for your comment!

[R] Nerva 16 Jun @ 5:21pm

There's a lot of words for specific units that Bardin uses in-game that are missing in this guide. Here's a few of them and their translations, both literal and otherwise.

Bakrazdumi = Berserker ("hit-in-the-head chaos-person")
Dreki = Archer, typically Ungor Archers ("bow person")
Dronrakogri = Stormfiend ("loud/booming rat ogre")
Gorflegi = Beastman Standard-Bearer ("wild-beast flag-person")
Gordrungi = Bestigor or Minotaur ("wild-beast conquer-person")
Muzkazdumi = Chaos Spawn ("twisted chaos-person")

Grimmrog_SIG 3 Jan @ 8:07am

But then I am not sure if the devs messed up the usage of -az and -i in general, especially when considering the Greathammers. -az at the end of queen or king makes not much sense. and -i at the hammers neither. It should be the entire other way around. all items end with a -i because -i refers, to a person, race or profession. So wehn you use hammer with an -i at the end this would change the context to a Person, like Hammerers and not be an item like Hammer anymore. On the crossbows they got that right, they end on -az (which reffers to palces or objects).

Grimmrog_SIG 3 Jan @ 8:07am

Throngdrengiaz Karingrund: drengi can also mean "slaying in battle", and the ending az refers to a location or object. So it mostlikely refers to a battle. So you could roughly also see that this item(s) refer to a "Army battle slayer/slaying hammer and shield." as it involves Army battle, slaying and it being shield and hammer. It is probably an army fitted hammer and shield thats brought to battles. The ingame reference to the kings champtions can mean that this is very much a hammerers shield and hammer. While hammerers usually wield 2 handed hammers, in the TT they still have a handweapon and can be equipped with a shield. And hammerers are the Guards of the Kinds. Champions of what others dwarfs are.

Grimmrog_SIG 3 Jan @ 7:06am

if you want great sources for the dwarfs go google "WFRP - Dwarfs - Stone & Steel" and "WFRP - GrudgeLore" and go to the anyflip result. they have the age old books of the warhammer fantasy role play and they are great. "WFRP - Apocrypha Now" is also a nice source, but not very dwarf heavy.

Top Bloke Gman 11 Nov, 2024 @ 3:10pm

WORT WORT WORT

Bom'Thrompson 3 Apr, 2024 @ 2:54am

Let me know if you need any Gods but lots of words stem from Gods rather than into i.e. Grimnir, The Slayer God shares the prefix with Grimgi "stalwart, determined one" and Grungni, The Forge God lends it's self to Grung meaning Great

Bom'Thrompson 3 Apr, 2024 @ 2:36am

Umgi means "Foreign, Not Dwarven" hence the derivative Umgak "Not Dwarf Made, Shoddy", therefore Azumgi literally (and we're dealing with dwarves & language so it's the only way) means Umgi worth of carrying and Az "Dwarf Made Axe", not sure where you got "Sturdy Man". Other than that it's all spot on!

I wish GW made Khazalid a full language, then the runes in my back tattoo could have been a story!

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