Some combinations of two or more nouns in a row are so common that they've become everyday words known as compound nouns (section 2.0.0). However, nouns can also be combined freely, even if the resulting combination is not found in a dictionary. This structure, called a noun-noun construction, indicates possession or relationships.

A noun-noun construction (N1-N2) translates as "N2 of the N1" or "N1's N2" in English:

• nuH pegh – secret of the weapon (the weapon's secret)

In a noun-noun construction, only the second noun may take Type 5 (syntactic) suffixes, while both nouns may take suffixes of Types 1 through 4. Examples:

• nuHvam pegh: secret of this weapon
  • nuH – weapon
  • -vam (type 4) – this
  • pegh – secret

• jaghpu' yuQmeyDaq: at/to the enemies' planets
  • jagh – enemy
  • -pu' (type 2) – plural for beings capable of language
  • yuQ – planet
  • -mey (type 2) – general plural
  • -Daq (type 5) – locative

• puqwI' qamDu': my child's feet
  • puq – child
  • -wI' (type 4) – my
  • qam – foot
  • -Du' (type 2) – plural for body parts

Prepositional Phrases with Nouns

English prepositional phrases can also be expressed using noun-noun constructions. Concepts like "above" or "below" are nouns in Klingon meaning "area above" or "area below," and the locative suffix (-Daq) follows the second noun:

• nagh DungDaq – above the rock
  • nagh – rock
  • Dung – area above
  • -Daq (type 5) – locative

Possessive suffixes are not typically used for these prepositional phrases. Instead, independent pronouns are used:

• jIH DungDaq – above me ("area above me")

However, in the Sakrej region, possessive suffixes replace pronouns:

• 'emwIj – behind me (literally "my area behind")
• bIngchaj – below them ("their area below")

Although understandable, using possessive suffixes in place of pronouns in standard Klingon (ta' Hol) associates the speaker with Sakrej, which may or may not be beneficial depending on context. In standard Klingon, one would say:

• jIH 'emDaq – behind me
• chaH bIngDaq – below them

Use of Hoch in Noun-Noun Constructions

The noun Hoch (all/each) has specific meanings when used as the first noun in a noun-noun construction:

• Hoch naghmey – All the rocks (noun explicitly plural → "all")
• Hoch nagh – Each rock (noun singular → "each")

If the noun following Hoch is plural, it translates as "all." If singular, it translates as "each."