The basic verb prefixes can be shown in the table below. Some prefixes appear more than once for clarity.

A "0" in the table indicates no prefix is used.

A "-" indicates combinations that can't be expressed directly through verb prefixes alone; instead, combinations of prefixes, suffixes, and pronouns are used.

wot moHaq wa'chaw – Verb Prefix Table

Prefixes from the column labeled "None" are used when the verb doesn't have an explicit object. For example:

• jIQong – I sleep

• bIQong – you sleep

• Qong – he/she/it sleeps, they sleep

• maQong – we sleep

• SuQong – you (plural) sleep

These prefixes are also used, in combination with verb suffixes, when the subject and object are the same person or thing :

• jIlegh'egh - I see myself

• bIlegh'egh - you see yourself

• maleghchuq - we see each other

• Suleghchuq - you all see each other

Prefixes indicating both subject and object include:

• qalegh – I see you

• cholegh – you see me

• vIlegh – I see him/her/it/them

• mulegh – he/she/it/they see me

Some combinations use no prefix:

• Qong - He/she/it/they sleep

• legh - She/he/it see it/them

The few remaining combinations use pronouns with no prefix:

• maH Qan jIH - I protect us

Null Prefix

Some Klingonists use the term "null prefix" to refer to combinations that are made without a specific prefix. When Okrand was asked during a conversation on rare subject/object combinations if the null prefix and the lack of a prefix are the same thing. His answer was:

You don't use a prefix, whether you wanna call that null or you don't use a prefix, doesn't make a difference. In the chart, there's a difference. In the chart, it's pointing out that the way to say something is by no prefix, that's the zero. And the hyphen or the dash or something means that it doesn't fit into the chart, but in both cases, it's the absence of prefix.

Imperative Prefixes (Commands)

Imperative prefixes are used to give commands to "you" (singular or plural):

Examples:

• yIQong! – Sleep! (sg)

• peQong! – Sleep! (pl)

• HIqIp! – Hit me!

• tIqIp! – Hit them!

For imperatives directed toward someone who is also the object of the verb being used, pronouns should be used in combination with the no object pronouns.

• tlhIH yIQan - (you sg) protect you all!