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In the mists of time, Taramiluiel, one of our esteemed language forum translators and erstwhile Lord Glorfindel, created some useful Sindarin information and snippets for use in roleplay and works of fan fiction. These were printed in the Imladris newsletter, the The Last Homely Herald, and on her own website, where she says:

"Sindarin is a complex language created by J.R.R. Tolkien for his novels. It is the language of the Elves of Middle-Earth.

There are several different Elvish languages, but only Quenya and Sindarin were developed enough by Tolkien for us to communicate in. Quenya was spoken by the Elves who journeyed from Middle-Earth to Aman. For those who did not finish the journey, their language changed over time and became Sindarin. The Elves who returned to Middle-Earth, the Noldor, learned to speak Sindarin. During the First Age, Quenya was banned in Middle-earth as a language of Kinslayers, and became a language of ancient lore, not daily usage.

It is my hope that this phrasebook will be of use to all fanfic writers and roleplayers who love Tolkien's creation. Please feel free to make use of these phrases, let your Elves be true to the tree-woven lands of Middle-earth."

~ Caveat ~
The following translations were written over sixteen years ago, and Tolkien language scholars were regularly revising these fictional languages with every release of a new newsletter even back then. Sixteen years full of little fixes and changes means that these may not be the most perfect translations ever.

This, added to the lack of attested vocabulary in Sindarin in Tolkien's writings, results in the need to use unattested, reconstructed, or constructed words. Please bear in mind this is a complicated language to learn and use, and we are all fallible.

Need a Sindarin name? Masculine names Feminine names

~ Greetings ~

Greetings (everyone/friend) ~ Suilad (penath/mellon) (can also use suil)
Well met ~ Mae govannen
Welcome ~ Mae tollen
Welcome home ~ Mae tollen na mar
Welcome back ~ Mae athollen
It is my joy to see you ~ Glass nín le/gen cened
It is my joy to see you again ~ Glass nín le/gen achened
A star shines on the occasion of our meeting ~ Êl síla nan lû e-govaded vín
It is my joy to meet you ~ Glass nín le/gen govaded
I haven't seen you for a long time ~ Anann le/gen ú-gennin
My heart sings to see you ~ Guren linna le/gen cened

~ Farewells ~

Farewell ~ Navaer
Have a good journey ~ Garo lend vaer
I hope you will have a good journey ~ Harthon gerithach lend vaer
Good day/evening/night ~ Aur/aduial/fuin vaer
Have a good day/evening/night ~ Garo aur/aduial/fuin vaer
Good hunting ~ Rui/farad vaer
Fair winds ~ Suil vain
May useful winds speed you on ~ Hortho le huil vaer
I hope you will have kind seas ~ Harthon gerithach aeair vilui
Sweet waters and light laughter until next we meet ~ Nîn velui a lalaith veren nalú en-agovaded vín
I hope you will have green paths and a breeze behind you ~ Harthon gerithach raid gelin a chwest adel thraw lín
I hope you will have green and golden paths ~ Harthon gerithach raid gelin a melthin
May the leaves of your life tree never wither ~ Pelo nalú i laiss en-Galadh Guil lín
My heart shall weep until I see thee again ~ Guren nallatha nalú achenin le
Nothing will stop the weeping of my heart until our reunion ~ Unad nuithatha i nîr e-guren nalú aderthad vín
Rest well ~ Hodo vae
Sleep well ~ Losto vae
Sweet dreams ~ Elei velui
May you dream well tonight ~ Oltho vae ne fuin hen
I hope to see you there ~ Harthon cened le ennas
I hope to see you at this time ~ Harthon cened le nan lû hen

~ Endearments ~

My beloved/dear ~ Mell nín, Muin nín
My love ~ Meleth nín
Love of my life ~ Meleth e-guilen

~ Titles of Address ~

My friend/friends ~ mellon/mellyn nín
My son/daughter ~ ion/iell nín
My father/mother ~ adar/naneth nín
My dad/mom ~ ada/nana nín
My brother/sister ~ muindor/muinthel nín
My sworn brother/sister ~ gwador/gwathel nín
My husband/wife ~ hervenn/hervess nín
My Lord/Lady ~ hîr/hiril nín or brannon/brennil nín
Foe of my foe ~ coth o chothen
Friend of my friend ~ mellon o mellonen
Little father (dwarf) ~ adar dithen
Bearded one (dwarf) ~ fangon
Mighty one ~ belegron/belegril (m/f)
Valiant one ~ gornon/gornil (m/f)
Ancient one ~ iaron/iaril (m/f)
Wise one ~ saelon/saelil (m/f)
Loyal one ~ sadron/sadril (m/f)
My champion/hero ~ thalionen/thalielen (m/f)

~ Professions ~

Commander ~ caun
Second-in-Command ~ taidron/taidril (m/f), taidor
Mayor, Ruler ~ condir/condis (m/f)
Assistant ~ tuluron/tuluril (m/f), tuluror
Calligrapher/Secretary ~ tegilbor
Judge ~ badhron/badhril (m/f), badhor
Bard ~ glirdan
Harper ~ talagan
Singer ~ linnon/linnil (m/f), linnor
Writer ~ teithron/teithril (m/f), teithor
Painter ~ eleidan
Teacher ~ istonon/istoneth (m/f), istonor
Narrator ~ pethron/pethril (m/f), pethor
Historian ~ pennathron/pennathril (m/f), pennathor
Librarian ~ parvon/parvil (m/f), parvor
Astronomer ~ meneldir/meneldis (m/f)
Apprentice ~ aphadon/aphadil (m/f), aphador
Journeyman ~ nathron/nathril (m/f), nathor
Healer ~ nestron/nestril (m/f), nestor
Herbmaster ~ salabir/salabis (m/f), salabor
Wizard ~ curunír/curunís, ithron/ithril (m/f), ithor
Magician ~ gollor
Warrior ~ maethron, maethril (m/f), maethor
Archer ~ pengron/pengril (m/f), pengor
Swordsman ~ magron/magril (m/f), magor
Knight ~ rochir/rochiril (m/f)
Spearthrower ~ hadron/hadril (m/f), hador
Slayer/Assassin ~ dagnír/dagnis (m/f)
Soldier ~ othon/othil (m/f), othor
Watcher/Guardian ~ tirn
Hunter ~ faron/faril (m/f), faror
Forester ~ toron/toril (m/f), tauror
Mountaineer ~ orodben
Rider ~ rochon/rochil (m/f), rochor
Sailor ~ cirion/ciriel (m/f)
Shipbuilder ~ círdan (pl. círdain)
Jewelsmith ~ mírdan (pl. mírdain)
Lampwright ~ calardan (pl. calardain)
Carpenter/woodwright ~ thavron/thavril (m/f)
Potter ~ cennan
Weaver ~ nathron/nathril (m/f), nathor
Gardener ~ sannan
Cook ~ aesdan
Servant ~ buiron/buiril (m/f)
Herald ~ singyll
Blacksmith ~ angdan
Armorer ~ barvdan
Metalsmith ~ tingdan
Weaponsmith ~ hatholdan
Peddler ~ bachron/bachril (m/f), bachor
Thief ~ celegam
Pilgrim, Wanderer ~ randír/randís (m/f)

The Legendary Courtesy of the Elves
Have you ever visited another Kingdom and been at a loss for words for your hosts? Don’t know how to be polite to a Minion? The Elves are renowned for their manners. Gracious even to those whose souls are darkened by Shadows, they always find something courteous to say to the different races ...

Dwarves:
No ring iaulib lín a laeb-e-ndaen i aes lín. ~ “May your ale be cold and your meat be fresh off the carcass.”
Galo fengyrn lín na dail lín. ~ "May your beards grow to your feet."

Men of Minas Tirith:
Glamo lim i ganed rym gelib erin Minas Faen. ~ “May the call of silver trumpets ring clear above the White City.”
Edlothio anuir i ´Aladh ´Lân! ~ "May the White Tree forever blossom!"

Riders of the Mark:
Noro lagor idh rych lín a caro delevoe dithin. “May your horses run swift and may they make small droppings.”
Noro vell a lagor roch lín athan i thelaith en Ardhon! ~ "May your steed run strong and swift across the plains of the Mark."

Wizards:
Trechado allú in guilylf lín. ~ “May your staffs never splinter.”
Giro ered nan beth lín. ~ "May mountains tremble at your command."

Hobbits:
Danno ed allú i fast buin dail lín. ~ “May the hair on your feet never fall out.”
Garo le aes, iaulib a ´alenas evyr an oer lín phain! ~ "May you have abundant food, ale, and pipeweed all your days."

Lothlórien Elves:
No vell i phendraith lín a no moe i suil. ~ “May your ladders be strong and the winds be calm.”
Edlothio anuir elanor a niphredil min Naith. ~ "May elanor and niphredil ever blossom in the Naith."

Ents:
Galo uigelin i laiss lín a hiro nen laeb i thynd lín. ~ “May your leaves grow ever-green and your roots find fresh water.”
Matho i thynd lín allú i chelch rhîw. ~ "May the frost of winter never reach your roots."

Minions:
Tano haelas nan faer vorn lín i Chen Uidiriel. ~ “May the Ever-Watching Eye show mercy on your black souls.”
Diheno vistiath lín phain i Vrannon Vorn. ~ "May the Dark Lord forgive all your mistakes."

~ The Blessings of the Eldar ~
Ever do the Elves wish the best for all Eru’s children. Some well-known words of well-wishing:

No ´alui in oer lín phain. ~ “May all your days be blessed.”
No allen i ngelu e-Belain. ~ “May the blessings of the Valar be with you.”
Aphado ui ´ûr lín an ias le tôg. ~ “May you always follow your heart where it leads you.”
No oer a fuinath lín pathrennin na veleth a lalaith. ~ “May your days and nights be filled with love and laughter.”
Calo Anor oer lín a tiro le in elenath ir lostal. ~ “May the sun light your days and the stars watch over you while you sleep.”
No go le i ngelu Edhil, Edain, a gwaith lain phain. ~ “May the blessings of Elves, Men, and all free folk go with you.”
Isto ´lass ´ûr lín. ~ “May your heart know joy.”

~ Compliments ~

You have a heart like a lion. ~ Gerich ‘ûn sui raw
You are a mighty and brave warrior ~ Le maethor veleg a gornui
You are a skilled and sharp-eyed archer ~ Le pengron vaen a maecheneb
You are beautiful like a rainbow ~ Le bain sui ninniach
Your radiance shines like the moon ‘Law lîn síla sui Ithil
Love sparkles in your eyes ~ Meleth thilia min hin lín
Your radiant eyes conquered my heart ~ Hin gelair lín orthernir 'uren
Your beautiful face took my breath away ~ Thîr vain lín darn thûl nín
Your eyes are as beautiful as moonlight on the Sea ~ Hin lín bain sui Ithilgalad buin Aear
Your eyes are blue like the summer sky ~ Hin lín luin sui venel laer
You look good/joyous/beautiful ~ Thiach maer/meren/main
Your beauty shines brightly ~ Baneth lín síla celair
You are beautiful/so beautiful ~ Le bain/bainon

~ Celebrating Love ~

Gwedhin guil nín go lín/gín. ~ “I bind my life with yours.”
Im gennen na lúth lín/gín. ~ “I am caught by your spell.”
Lam lín/gín anna ’lass enni. ~ “Your voice gives me joy.”
Le/gen gwannathon allú. ~ “I will never leave you.”
Methal/methach nin. ~ “You complete me.”
Reno nin. ~ “Remember me.”
Ingo o nin. ~ “Think of me.”
Miston ned ôl vain. ~ “I am straying in a beautiful dream.”
Guren pathrannen na ‘lass. ~ “My heart is filled with joy.”

~ Romance ~

I love you ~ Le melin
I will always love you ~ Le uivelin
I will love you forever ~ Le melithon anuir
My heart is in your hands ~ Guren min gaim lín
I believe/trust in you ~ Estelion allen
Trust in me ~ Estelio enni
You enchant me ~ Nin lithiach
Your song touches my spirit/my heart ~ Laer lín matha faeren/'uren
You lift up my heart when you look at me ~ Orthach 'uren ir tirach enni

Sucking-up in Sindarin
Do you need to butter someone up? Broken something, want a favor, hope to scam an invitation to a party? Here are some complimentary offerings to charm even the coldest hearts:

Dwarves:
I Naugrim in gwaith ´ornuiwain mi Ardhon bain. ~ “The Dwarves are the most courageous folk in all Arda.”

Men of Minas Tirith:
Me i Minonnen echennin a thangaded i ven an Edain. ~ “We the Firstborn were made to prepare the way for Men.”

Riders of the Mark:
Uben gâr guru lín go rych. ~ “None have your skill with horses.”

Wizards:
I phin idhrin ú-belir cened i menaidh bain, dan in ithryn cenir rim. ~ “The very wise cannot foresee all ends, but the Wizards see a great many!”

Hobbits:
Le tithin dan guir lín toer. ~ “You (plural) are small but your hearts are huge!”

Lothlórien Elves:
Penath istar i Thawarwaith amberen in Gelydh egor Thindrim. ~ “Everyone knows the Wood-Elves are more festive than the Noldor or Sindar.”

Ents:
Elo, golas lín calenon! ~ “Wow, your foliage is so green!”

Minions:
I ´welwen sí laugon! ~ “The atmosphere here is very warm!”

“Now this is not so courteous!”
Being attacked by Dwarves? Had a run-in with a smelly Human? There are times when courtesy simply will not do, and it’s times like those, my friends, when these phrases may come in handy!

Dwarves:
Paw am iaeth thairn en-Naugrim! ~ “A plague on the stiff necks of the Dwarves!”

Men of Minas Tirith:
Edain uvill. ’orn ned Edain. ~ “Men are weak; there is no honor in Men.”

Riders of the Mark:
Boe puiad i Firiath Rohan, ath thû roch bell bo hyn! ~ “The mortals of Rohan need to bathe, for a horse stench is strong upon them!”

Wizards:
Meleth enin galenas Periannath gwathrant ’uir huin! ~ “Love of the Halflings’ leaf has dimmed their minds!”

Hobbits:
Periannath... Sy esgiar ’alenas huin a sogar iaulib huin, a istar unad o ardhon! ~ “Halflings...They smoke their pipeweed and drink their ale, and know nothing of the world!”

Lothlórien Elves:
Tawarwaith... Sy gladhar a linnar, dan ú-istar naid annaer. ~ “Wood-Elves... They laugh and sing, but have no knowledge of greater things.”

Ents:
Onodrim... Sy pedir anann dan pedir dithen. ~ “Ents... They speak for a long time but say little.”

Minions:
Ennorath sennui pedir aen orchen ae Gorthaur garn výl ammaer. ~ “All of Middle-earth would instead speak Orkish if Sauron had better slaves.”

~ Insults ~

Your head is empty ~ Dôl gín cofn or Dôl gín lost
Cowardly dog! ~ Hû úgaun!
Go kiss an orc! ~ Mítho orch!
You smell like an orc! ~ Gerich thû sui orch!
I hate you! ~ Gen ú-velin!
Listen to my laughter! ~ Lasto al lalaith nín!
A big wind pours from your mouth ~ Súlon gwanna nîf gín
Son of snakes! ~ Lýgion! or Ion lýg!
You disgust me! ~ Gen fuion!
You’re ugly and your mother dresses you ~ Thiach uanui a naneth gín gen hamma
You are stupid ~ Ce uchand
Orc lover! ~ Orvelethron/orvelethril! (m/f)
You look hideous! ~ Thiach uanui!

~ Threats ~

I hope the Ents eat you! ~ Harthon in enyd gen medir!
I want to hurl you into the fires of Mt. Doom! ~ Aníron gen haded min noer Orodruin!
I'm going to hurl you into the fires of Mt. Doom! ~ Gen hedithon min noer Orodruin!

~ Conversation ~

Yes ~ Maer ("good")
No! ~ Baw!
What is your name? ~ Man i eneth lín?
___ is my name ~ ___ i eneth nín
I'm ___ ~ im ___
Please ~ iesten ("My wish")
Thanks ~ Le hannon
You're welcome ~ Glassen ("My joy")
Well done ~ Mae carnen
I understand ~ Henion
I don’t understand ~ Ú-chenion
I'm sorry ~ Naethen ("My sorrow”)
Forgive me ~ Goheno nin
As you wish ~ Be iest lín
Don’t worry ~ Avaro naeth ("Don’t have woe”)
What news? ~ Man siniath?

~ Small Talk ~

How are you? ~ Manen le?
I’m fine/good/well ~ Im maer
I’m not fine/good/well ~ Im úvaer
I’m happy ~ Im meren
I’m sad/gloomy ~ Im dem
I’m tired ~ Im penorven
I’m sick/ill ~ Im caeleb
I’m cold ~ Im ring
I’m hot ~ Im urui

~ Questions & Answers ~

Who? ~ Ma?
What? ~ Man?
When? ~ Mar?
Where? ~ Mas?
Why? ~ Amman?
How? ~ Manen?
What is your name? ~ Man i eneth lín?
What is his/her name? ~ Man i eneth hún/hín?
What did you say? ~ Man pennich? What did he/she say? ~ Man so/se pent?
What did you see? ~ Man cennich? What did he/she see? ~ Man so/se cenn?
What do you see? ~ Man cenich? ~ What does he/she see? ~ Man so/se cên?
How are you? ~ Manen le? How is he/she? ~ Manen so/se?
Where are you going? ~ Mas ledhiach? Where is he/she going? ~ Mas ledhia?
Where are we going? ~ Mas ledhiam? Where are they going? ~ Mas sy ledhiar?
Why do you go? ~ Amman ledhiach?
Where are you [coming] from? ~ Ledhiach o man sad? Where is he/she [coming] from? ~ Ledhia o man sad?

~ Adventuring ~

Silence! ~ Dîn!
Listen! ~ Lasto!
Look! ~ Tiro!
Halt! ~ Daro!
Come! ~ Tolo!
Come in/Enter ~ Minno
Stand ~ Erio ("rise")
Flee! ~ Drego!
Run! ~ Noro!
Rest! ~ Hodo
Wait! ~ Dartho
(any above can be followed with hí "here", ennas "there", hi "now")
Follow me! ~ Aphado nin!
Sit down ~ Havo dad

~ Exclamations ~

Alas! ~ Nae!
At last! ~ Na vedui!
Stars! ~ Elo! (an exclamation of wonder, similar to “wow!” but more poetic)
Behold! ~ Alae!
No/Don’t! ~ Baw!
Ah/Oh! ~ Ae!
Be gone! ~ Ego!
By the Sea and Stars! ~ Nan Aear a Geil!
By the Valar! ~ Nan Belain!

All remember well the cry of the Edain of the North, that sent fear into the black hearts of Morgoth's fell servants over the hills and dales of Beleriand: Lacho calad! Drego morn! ~ "Flame, light! Flee, night!" Hear now some of the battle cries of the Eldar...

~ Battle Cries ~

Gurth enin goth! ~ Death to the enemy!
Si ath thûr! ~ Now to victory!
Firo, ulunn! ~ Die, hideous creature!
Gurth an Glamhoth! ~ Death to the orcs!
Am Melain! ~ "For the Valar!"
Si tôl acharn! ~ "Now comes vengeance!"
An ngurth ah aglar! ~ "For death and glory!"
Ego môr! Lacho estel! ~ "Begone, darkness! Flame, hope!"
Am methed-en-Amar! ~ "For world's ending!"
Aur baudh sí! ~ "Judgement day is here!"

~ Pleas, Entreaties ~

May Eru protect me/us ~ Berio nin/ven Eru
May Varda watch over me/us ~ Tiro nin/ven Elbereth
May the Valar lead me/us to safety ~Tego nin/ven i Melain am mand
May Oromë be with me/us ~ No enni/ammen Araw
May Tulkas give me/us strength/courage/victory ~ Anno enni/ammen Enner vellas/gaun/dûr
Lord of the Wind, guide my arrow ~ Hîr e-Hûl, togo bilinn nín

~ Battle Phrases ~

They're coming ~ Sy telir
Prepare the bows! ~ Tangado i chui!
My bow shall sing with your sword ~ Cû/Peng nín linnatha go vagol lín
Release the arrows! ~ Leithio i philinn!
Fire the arrows! ~ Hado i philinn!
Fight! ~ Maetho!
Swords! ~ Meigol!
Protect the horses! ~ Berio idh rych!
Protect the tower/city! ~ Berio i varad/vinas!
To the tower/wall! ~ Nan barad/ram!
Kill him/it! ~ Dago hon/han!
Look out! ~ Tiro!

~ Trouble ~

I need help! ~ Boe enni dulu!
Help me! ~ Anno dulu enni!
I need a healer! ~ Boe enni nestron!

~ Healing ~

Golden Sun, may your warmth bring healing to this heart ~ Anor valthen, togo laugas lín nestad enin gûr hen
Great earth, may you give your strength to this body ~ Ceven dhaer, anno vellas lín enin 'raw hen
Western Winds, may your breath lift this spirit ~ Suil Annui, erio thûl lín i faer hen

~ Days of the Week ~

Orgilion ~ Stars-day
Oranor ~ Sun-day
Orithil ~ Moon-day
Orgaladhad ~ Two-Trees-day (in Gondor: Orgaladh)
Ormenel ~ Heavens-day
Oraearon ~ Sea-day (in Gondor only)
Orbelain ~ Powers-day (a "High Day" of celebration/ceremony, like our Sunday)

~ Months of the Year ~

January ~ Narwain (New-Sun)
February ~ Nínui (Watery)
March ~ Gwaeron (Windy)
April ~ Gwirith
May ~ Lothron (Flowering)
June ~ Nórui (Sunny/Fiery)
July ~ Cerveth
August ~ Urui (Hot)
September ~ Ivanneth (Fruit-giving)
October ~ Narbeleth (Leaf-falling)
November ~ Hithui (Misty/Foggy)
December ~ Girithron (Shuddering)

~ Seasons ~

Echuir ~ Stirring/Awakening (Feb 1 - Mar 26)
Ethuil ~ Spring/Budding (Mar 29 – May 21)
Laer ~ Summer/Song (May 22 - Aug 1)
Iavas ~ Harvest (Aug 2 - Sep 24)
Firith ~ Fading (Sep 28 - Nov 20)
Rhîw ~ Winter (Nov 21 - Jan 31)

~ Holidays ~

Maninor ~ First Day (March 28)
Ennyn Laer ~ The Gates of Summer (May 22)
Ethuilor ~ Spring-day (September 25)
Inenedh ~ Year-Middle (September 26)
Iavasor ~ Harvest-day (September 27)
Ennyn Rhîw ~ The Gates of Winter (November 21)
Penninor ~ Last Day (March 27)

FROM LOTR:

Ai na vedui Dúnadan! Mae govannen! ~ (LotR) Glorfindel's greeting to Aragorn ~ The first words have not been translated, but are believed to mean "Ah, at last, Westman!" Mae govannen means "well met" (translated in Letters:308).

Noro lim, noro lim, Asfaloth! ~ (LotR) Glorfindel's cry to his horse ~ This is untranslated, but is believed to mean "run fast" or "run on".

Naur an edraith ammen! Naur dan i ngaurhoth! ~ (LotR) Gandalf's fire-spell ~ The first part is translated in TI:175 as "Fire be for the saving of us!" The second part is believed to mean, "Fire against the werewolf-host."

Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen! Fennas nogothrim, lasto beth lammen! ~ (LotR) Gandalf's words to open the Moria Gate ~ Translated in RS:463 as: "Elvish Gate, open now for us! Doorway of the Dwarf-folk, listen to the word of my tongue!"

Ennyn Durin Aran Moria: pedo mellon a minno. Im Narvi hain echant: Celebrimbor o Eregion teithant i thiw hin. ~ (LotR) The Moria Gate inscription ~ "Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria: speak friend and enter. I, Narvi, made them. Celebrimbor of Eregion drew these signs."

A Elbereth Gilthoniel, / silivren penna míriel / o menel aglar elenath! / Na-chaered palan-díriel / o galadhremmin ennorath, / Fanuilos, le linnathon / nef aear, sí nef aearon! ~ (LotR) ~ Translated in RGEO:72. Roughly means: "O Elbereth Star-kindler, from heaven the glory of the starry host, glittering-white, slants down, sparkling like jewels! Having gazed far away from the tree-woven lands of Middle-earth, Everwhite, I will sing to thee on this side of the Sea, here on this side of the Ocean."

A Elbereth Gilthoniel o menel palan-diriel, le nallon sí di-nguruthos! A tiro nin, Fanuilos! ~ (LotR) Sam's cry in Cirith Ungol ~ Translated in Letters:278 and RGEO:72 as "O Elbereth Star-kindler, from heaven gazing afar, to thee I cry here in the shadow of death! O look towards me, Everwhite!"

Cuio i Pheriain anann! Aglar'ni Pheriannath! ... Daur a Berhael, Conin en Annűn, eglerio! ... Eglerio! ~ (LotR) The Ringbearers' Praise on the Fields of Cormallen ~ Translated in Letters:308 as: "May the Halflings live long! Glory to the Halflings... Frodo and Sam, princes of the west, glorify! Glorify!"

Ónen i-Estel Edain, ú-chebin estel anim. ~ (LotR appendices) Gilraen's linnod ~ Translated as "I have Hope to the Dúnedain; I have kept no hope for myself."

FROM OTHER SOURCES:

Ir Ithil ammen Eruchîn / menel-vîr síla díriel / si loth a galadh lasto dîn! / A Hîr Annűn gilthoniel, le linnon im Tinúviel. ~ (The Lays of Beleriand) Lúthien's Song ~ Untranslated.

Elessar Telcontar: Aragorn Arathornion Edhelharn, aran Gondor a Hîr i Mbair Annui, anglennatha i Varanduiniant erin dolothen Ethuil, egor ben genediad Drannail erin Gwirith edwen. Ar e aníra ennas suilannad mhellyn în phain: edregol e aníra tírad i Cherdir Perhael (i sennui Panthael estathar aen) Condir i Drann, ar Meril bess dîn; ar Elanor, Meril, Glorfinniel, ar Eirien sellath dîn; ar Iorhael, Gelir, Cordof, ar Baravorn, ionnath dîn. A Pherhael ar am Meril suilad aran o Minas Tirith nelchaenen uin Echuir. ~ (SD:128-129) The King's Letter ~ Translated as: "Aragorn Strider the Elfstone, King of Gondor and Lord of the Westlands, will approach the Bridge of Baranduin on the eighth day of Spring, or in the Shire-reckoning the second day of April. And he desires to greet there all his friends. In especial he desires to see Master Samwise (who ought to be called Fullwise), Mayor of the Shire, and Rose his wife; and Elanor, Rose, Goldilocks, and Daisy his daughters; and Frodo, Merry, Pippin and Hamfast, his sons. To Samwise and Rose the King's greeting from Minas Tirith, the thirty-first day of the Stirring." (The part in parenthesis was translated in SD:126)

Alae! Ered en Echoriath, ered e-mbar nín! ~ (UT) Voronwë's cry when he saw the Encircling Mountains ~ Translated in UT as "Alae! The mountains of Echoriath, the mountains of my home!" (Alae is perhaps an exclamation similar to "Behold!")

Gurth an Glamhoth! ~ (UT) Tuor cursing the Orcs ~ Translated in UT as: "Death to the din-horde!"

Lacho calad! Drego morn! ~ (UT) The battle-cry of the Edain of the North ~ Translated in UT as "Flame light! Flee Night!"

Tôl acharn! ~ (WJ) Húrin's exclamation ~ Translated as "Vengeance comes!", also written as Tűl acharn!

Sindarin Names of Tales in the Silmarillion:

Nern in Edenedair ~ "Tales of the Fathers of Men"
Narn Beren ion Barahir ~ "Tale of Beren son of Barahir"
Narn e-Dinúviel ~ "Tale of the Nightingale"
Narn e-mbar Hador ~ "Tale of the house of Hador"
Narn i-Chîn Hurin ~ "Tale of the Children of Hurin"
Narn e-'Rach Morgoth ~ "Tale of the Curse of Morgoth"
Narn en-Él ~ "Tale of the Star"
Narn e-Dant Gondolin ar Orthad en-Él ~ "Tale of the Fall of Gondolin and the Rising of the Star"

Guren będ enni ~ (VT41) ~ "my heart (inner mind) tells me".

Ae Adar nín i vi Menel / no aer i eneth lín / tolo i arnad lín / caro den i innas lin / bo Ceven sui vi Menel. / Anno ammen sír i mbas ilaurui vín / ar diheno ammen i úgerth vin / sui mín i gohenam di ai gerir úgerth ammen. ~ (VT44) The Lord's Prayer ~ Roughly meaning: "Oh my father who [is] in Heaven / be holy your name / let your kingdom come / make it[?] your will / on Earth as in Heaven. / Give to us today our daily bread / and forgive us our wrong-doing / like us who forgive those who do wrong-doing to us."

Arphent Rían Tuorna, Man agorech? ~ Unpublished ~ The Túrin Wrapper ~ possibly meaning "And Rían said to Tuor, What did you do?"

For those who seek to go further in their studies:
Sindarin Consonant Mutations
Sindarin Vowel Changes in Plurals
Chart of ALT Codes for Making Accents

From a former Language Help Desk
A word about "Elvish"
There is no one language called “Elvish.” There are many different languages spoken by the Elves, including: Quenya, Sindarin, Telerin, Nandorin, and Avarin. Only two of these languages were developed enough by Tolkien to be spoken or written: Quenya and Sindarin. The one being spoken in the movies is David Salo’s standardized Sindarin, although there are a few lines in Quenya.

Where can I learn Quenya or Sindarin?
Thorsten Renk’s Sindarin and Quenya courses (available in several languages) can be found at Parma Tyelpelassiva (he also has an Adûnaic course), and there is a Quenya course by Helge Fauskanger at Ardalambion. There are some basic Sindarin grammar lessons on the Rivendell kingdom pages (now in the posts above this one!)

What is the difference between Quenya and Sindarin?
Both languages developed from a common beginning. Sindarin is the language spoken by the Elves who remained in Middle-earth. Quenya is the language of the Elves who journeyed to Aman, the Blessed Realm where the Valar live. In Middle-earth, Quenya is only studied in books, much like Latin today (though it was the native tongue of the Noldor in Middle-earth, who learned Sindarin after arriving), while Sindarin is used for daily communication. Most Quenya words end in vowels, whereas Sindarin words mostly end in consonants. Listen to Tolkien read Namárië in Quenya and A Elbereth Gilthoniel in Sindarin.

Where can I learn about all of these languages?
The site with the most information on the most Tolkienian languages is Ardalambion. Parma Tyelpelassiva also has several articles about several different Tolkienian languages. The Elvish Linguistic Fellowship publishes a journal called Vinyar Tengwar and has some informative articles. Books on Sindarin and Quenya become obsolete with the publication of new information from Tolkien’s notes and papers. Many internet websites offer incorrect information. There are excellent email discussion lists called ELFling and Lambengolmor, with all posts archived and searchable. Another email discussion list, TolkLang, is long since dead but still searchable and archived, as there are numerous bits of information on it that will be of interest to the linguistic-minded. There is an analysis of Adûnaic at [wayback archive] Lalaith’s Middle-earth Science Pages.

Where can I find a Sindarin or Quenya dictionary?
Didier Willis’ Hiswelókë Sindarin Dictionary is an excellent resource; there is a Beta version online with a wordlist in English, German, and French. There is a program form called Dragon Flame for PC’s, and also a handy PDF version, though v2.0 dates from 2003 and has some outdated forms that we now know to be misreadings/misspellings (like thenid/thenin), as well as a few editorial changes now realized to be incorrect (like listing mudas as a noun). There is an excellent Quenya word list at Ardalambion also.

What did they say in the movies?
For everything you could possibly want to know about languages in the movies, go to Gwaith i-Phethdain.

How do you pronounce these languages?
You can go to [wayback archive] Ardhon Ellammath for a Sindarin pronunciation guide and audio files of some of the linguistic corpus, or Glǽmscrafu where many, many passages from Tolkien’s linguistic corpus (Quenya, Sindarin, Noldorin, Khuzdûl, Telerin, Valarin, etc.) are read in audio files. You can hear Tolkien himself recite pieces of The Hobbit and LotR (including certain names) here. I might as well include JRRT reading the complete Ring Verse (in English) [urlhttp://web.archive.org/web/20050925235403/http://anon.salon.speedera.net/anon.sal ... 121901.mp3]here[/url], though it's not language-related.

Can I find out what my name is in Quenya or Sindarin?
You can go to Quenya Lapseparma for many names translated into Quenya. If you want your name in Sindarin, find the meaning of your name at Behind The Name and then ask someone here to translate it for you! Taramiluiel has translated many Real Life names into Sindarin. They’re available at Tara’s website (links in the second post, above). But beware of the name generators at The Barrow Downs and Chriswetherell.com. These give random elements from Sindarin and Quenya, and do not actually translate your name; you can type in gibberish, and it will still give you a "translation".

What books or sites are not to be trusted?
The Languages of Tolkien’s Middle-Earth, by Ruth Noel, is out-dated and terribly inaccurate. Also The Grey Company does not teach Tolkien’s languages, but used them to create their own language. Be wary of any site that does not specify between Quenya and Sindarin. Learnelvish.com and hotelf.com should be avoided, as they are very inaccurate. [There may be more - Lirimaer]

What about David Salo's book Gateway to Sindarin?
You can read a[n archived] review of his book here.

How can I learn to write the script that is on The One Ring?
This is called the Tengwar. It is just a script, not a language. You can find out about it at Amanyë Tenceli or from Per Lindberg’s excellent Guides. For examples of how numerals were written in Tengwar, see Dan Smith. Also, if you wish to carve out ’runes’ or Cirth, go to Omniglot; the Angerthas Daeron, Angerthas Moria, and Angerthas Erebor can be found here. How to write Rúmil’s Sarati can be found here. An excellent article on the history of these scripts and their different Modes and uses, can be found here, though you need the fonts Tengwar Parmaitë, Tirion Sarati, and Cirth Erebor to read it. A document of the known tengwar samples can be found here. You can see how to write in the Runes of Gondolin as well as a full English mode of the Tengwar here.
(Lots of these are only found in the Wayback Archives. I do not know the modern place to go - maybe someone will. Link to Tengwar course by our own LotR ~Lirimaer)

Where can I find fonts to write with the tengwar?
You can find Tengwar Parmaitë at Amanyë Tenceli, as well as a few for the Sarati and Valmaric scripts, and others at Dan Smith’s Fantasy Fonts. Also worth looking at are Elfica and Gothika, and the cursive font found on the One Ring. Do not download the incorrect font Tengwar Gandalf.

How do I put accents above my letters?
You can find symbols for Old English [archived] here, other lowercase symbols (including vowels with macrons) here. Or just copy/paste:

Lothenan wrote:Vokale

 Á Ā Ă â á ā ă
Ê É Ē Ĕ Ë ê é ē ĕ ë
Î Í Ī Ĭ Ï î í ī ĭ ï
Ô Ó Ō Ŏ ô ó ō ŏ
Û Ú Ū Ŭ û ú ū ŭ
Ŷ Ý Ȳ Ÿ ŷ ý ȳ ÿ
Ǭ ǭ Œ œ Æ æ Ǣ ǣ Ǽ ǽ Ə ǝ

Consonants

Ȝ ȝ (e.g. MAȜ-, nǭv-ȝrot)
Š š (e.g. Valarin Oššai)
Ð ð đ (e.g. eðel, eđel)
Þ þ (e.g. Þindikollo, þinda)
Ñ ñ Ŋ ŋ (e.g. ÑGUR-/ŊGUR-, ñwalmë/ŋwalmë)
Χ χ (e.g. Valarin Næχærra)
Φ φ (e.g. *φuinē → Q. huinë, fuinë)

Various

ƀ (possible alternative for v, bh)
† ("arch./poet." e.g. †narante)
→ (Looks nicer than >)
¹ (e.g. NĀ¹-, NĀ²-)

Will Dearborn (Aodh) wrote:http://www.planetburrito.com/alt_codes.html
http://www.theworldofstuff.com/characters/
http://cloford.com/resources/charcodes/symbols.htm

What about Tolkien’s other languages, like Dwarvish and Entish, can I learn those?
No, not really. Tolkien did not develop these languages well enough to be spoken or written; but Tolkien did "represent" Rohirian with the Mercian dialect of Old English/Anglo-Saxon, like he "represented" Westron with English and the language of Dale as Norse.

A rose by any other name...

Maps of these great lands East of the Sundering Sea are often found in the graceful tongue of the Elves, but mortal cartographers sometimes translate our words imprecisely. Here follow some simple explanations you can give to the next Mortal who wishes to know more about the realms of the Eldar.

Amon Sûl ~ "Weathertop", Men name it, but it really means "Hill of Wind". On its summit was built a great watch-tower by Elendil, wherein lay the chief Palantír of Arnor. The tower was destroyed in 1409 of the Second Age when three factions fought for control of the Seeing-Stone, and the stone taken to Fornost. All that remains on Amon Sûl now is a ring of stones. Amon "hill" is seen in the names of many hills in these lands, such as Amon Lhaw "Ears Hill" and Amon Hen "Eye Hill. Sûl "wind" is recognized by many from the name Manwë Súlimo.

Andrath ~ "Long Street" is what we of the Eldar call it, though in the tongues of Men it is known as the North-South Road, or the Greenway, the road they made in the days of old to unite the Kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor. It runs from Fornost in the north, through Bree and the now-ruined Tharbad, passes through the Gap of Rohan, and hugs the White Mountains all the way to Minas Tirith, Osgiliath, and Minas Morgul. And "long" can also be seen in the name Anduin. Rath "street" is also seen in the names Rath Dínen "Silent Street" and Rath Celerdain "Lampwrights’ Street"

Baranduin ~ "Brown River" it means in our tongue, although the Periannath of the Shire call it the Brandywine. Baran means "brown", while many will surely recognize duin, a word for a long and large river, from the Anduin, Glanduin, or Celduin rivers.

Bruinen ~ Accurately translated as Loudwater, it comes from brui "loud, noisy" and nen "water", so named because it flows very rapidly over a rocky course and its sound is ever heard in the Valley.

Caradhras ~ "Redhorn", the tallest peak of the great range of the Misty Mountains, near which is the pass over to the Mirrormere. Its name comes from caran "red" and ras "horn".

Celebdil ~ Named by Men "Silvertine", for celeb is "silver" and till is "point".

Eregion ~ This is translated by Men as Hollin. It comes from ereg "holly tree", which itself contains êg "thorn", so named for the plants that grow in abundance there. -ion is an ending meaning "land", seen in several place names, such as Rhovanion and Thargelion.

Emyn Beraid ~ "Hills of Towers" we call them, or the Tower Hills, although the Halflings name them the Far Downs. They lie between the Shire and the Gulf of Lune. Upon them were built for Elendil three towers by the Folk of Gil-galad, the White Towers, which stand there still. Emyn is the plural of amon "hill", and is seen in Emyn Muil "Slaves’ Hills" Within the highest tower, named in the Ancient tongue Elostirion, "Star-Watch", lies the Stone of Elendil, the Palantír that is ever turned to the Undying Lands.

Enedwaith ~ "Middle Folk" is the name given to the lands south of Minhiriath. Once it was part of the Kingdom of Gondor, but the people were mostly killed in the floods of 2912, and the land has been all but empty since. It comes from enedh "middle" and gwaith "folk, people".

Eriador ~ Sometimes translated as "Lonely Land", the true meaning of this name given to the lands between Hithaeglir and Belegaer is not certain. It is quite likely "Rising Land", from eria "rise" and dôr "land".

Eryn Vorn ~ "Black Woods" we name them, and little else is known about the thickly wooded land in Minhiriath that begins where the Baranduin meets the Sea and covers a large peninsula. Morn "black" is seen in the names Mordor "Black land" and Morgoth "Black Foe"; here it has been softened to vorn.

Fanuidhol ~ "Cloudyhead", one of the great peaks of the Hithaeglir. Fân is "cloud", and fanui the adjective "cloudy", as seen in Fanuilos, a name for Varda. Dôl is "head", sometimes used for geographical features, such as Dol Amroth.

Glanduin ~ This river, beside which once sat the graceful Ost-in-Edhil, means "White River", perhaps named because of the rocky course it takes from Hithaeglir to Tharbad. Glân "white" is seen in Curunír 'Lân, the White Wizard. Duin is a word for a long and large river, such as the Anduin and Baranduin or Brandywine.

Gwathló ~ This mighty river flows from Tharbad's ruins to where it empties into Belegaer at Lond Daer. It is named by Men the "Greyflood" for its color and size. Gwath means "shade, shadow", referring to the shade of the great forests that once lay along the river's banks.

Hithaeglir ~ This name for the Misty Mountains comes from hîth "fog, mist", aeg "point" and lîr "row, range", and well describes the jagged sharp peaks that are often enshrouded in clouds.

Imladris ~ Translated as "riven dell", it comes from imlad "narrow valley" and riss "ravine", showing by its name that it is a deeply cleft valley, not a wide open one.

Lond Daer ~ Built by the Númenóreans during the Second Age where the Gwathló spills into the Sea, this port was an important place where the Mariners repaired their ships. In the Ancient Tongue it was called Vinyalondë, New Haven, but its name in our language means "Great Haven".

Minhiriath ~ "Between the Rivers", for this is the land lying between the Baranduin and the Gwathló. Devastated by the Great Plague in 1636 of the Third Age and terrible floods in 2912, it remains mostly deserted even now. Min is "in between the", and siriath is a plural of sîr "river", here softened to hiriath.

Mitheithel ~ This mighty river comes from the cold northern Hithaeglir, for which it gets its name, "Frosty Fog Spring", which Men name the Hoarwell. Mith is white fog or wet mist, as well as a word for a pale shade of grey (as in Mithrandír), and eithel is a well or spring or source of water.

Nîn-in-Eilph ~ This marshy land where the River Glanduin lessens before joining the Mitheithel is often named by Men Swanfleet. Nîn is "waters", and in Eilph is "the Swans", so it is literally "Waters of the Swans."

Ost-in-Edhil ~ This once-great city where the Rings of Power were forged in the Second Age was laid to waste by Sauron's forces thousands of years ago. Its name means "City of the Elves". Ost is a word for a walled city or a fortress or stronghold that has been strengthened through craft rather than natural fortifications. In Edhil means "the Elves".

Rhudaur ~ "East Forest" is the name given to the lands in Eriador that encompass the Ettenmoors and northern Misty Mountains, the Trollshaws, as far west as the Weather Hills, and as far south as the Angle where the Bruinen joins the Mitheithel. It was once part of the northern Kingdom of Men, and is where Imladris lies. Rhân means "East", and taur is "forest", here softened to daur.

Sirannon ~ This has been accurately rendered as "Gatestream" by those not of our race. Sîr is a word that can also mean "river", as in the great River Sirion that divided Beleriand in half, and is seen in softened form in the name Minhiriath, meaning "Between Rivers". Annon can also mean "great door", and is written above the West Gate of Moria in plural form: Ennyn Durin, the Doors of Durin, from where the river flows westward.

Tharbad ~ This City of Men was built on the great North-South Road, where the rivers Glanduin and Mitheithel meet to form the Gwathló. It was destroyed by terrible flooding in 2912 of the Third Age of this world. Its name meant "Crossways", from thar- "across" and pâd "way".