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6.2.5 Sentences as objects
6.2.5
Sentences as objects

Klingon uses two special pronouns—'e' and net—to link two sentences, where the second sentence refers back to the first. These constructions are most common with verbs of thinking, seeing, or knowing. The pronoun acts as the object of the second verb, and the verb must take a third-person singular object prefix.

Using 'e'

The pronoun 'e' means "that" (as in “they know that...”) and is used when the subject of the second verb is specific (he, she, we, etc.). This results in two full sentences: the first states an action, the second comments on or reacts to it.

  • qama'pu' DIHoH 'e' luSov – They know we kill prisoners.  (qama'pu' – prisoners; DIHoH – we kill them; luSov – they know it)
  • yaS qIppu' 'e' vIlegh – I saw him/her hit the officer.  (yaS – officer; qIppu' – he/she hit; vIlegh – I see it)

Note: The second verb never takes an aspect suffix. If there is continuous or perfective meaning, it's marked only on the first verb (e.g., qIppu' with -pu' for perfective).

Using net

The pronoun net is used instead of 'e' when the subject of the second verb is general or indefinite—typically translated as “one” or “people in general.”

  • qama'pu' DIHoH net Sov – One knows we kill prisoners.
  • Qu'vaD lI' net tu'bej – One certainly finds it useful for the mission.

With Indefinite Subject -lu'

If the first sentence has an indefinite subject marked with -lu', and the second sentence refers to the same indefinite subject, you can use 'e' Xlu' instead of net:

  • yInlu'taH 'e' bajnISlu' – One must earn one's continued survival.

With neH ("want")

When the second verb is neH (“want”), 'e' and net are not used. The two clauses simply follow one another:

  • jIQong vIneH – I want to sleep.
  • qalegh vIneH – I want to see you.
  • Dalegh vIneH – I want you to see him/her.
  • qama'pu' vIjonta' vIneH – I wanted to capture prisoners.

Again, only the first verb (vIjonta') takes an aspect suffix. The second verb (vIneH) stays neutral in time.

With Verbs of Saying

When reporting speech (say, tell, ask, etc.), 'e' and net are not used. The quoted sentence simply follows (or precedes) the verb of saying.

  • qaja'pu' HIqaghQo' – I told you, "Don't interrupt me!"
  • HIqaghQo' qaja'pu' – "Don't interrupt me!" I told you.