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Gorean Language and terms.
Below I have tried to include 'common' words and usage of these words found within the series. Some are expalined and I have also included some 'Common' terms and phrases.
Which, I hope will help those interested, become more
familiar with Gorean words and terms.
Gorean |
English |
Gorean |
English |
Gorean |
English |
Ai, Aii, Aiii |
Term with several meanings,
suprise, fright or acknowledgement |
Da |
here |
Kajira |
female slave, plural=kajirae |
Aria |
a word of possession for Ar;
may be translated as "Ar's" or "of Ar"; |
Dar |
holy, priest |
Kajirus |
male slave, plural=kajiri |
Aulus |
flute |
Delka |
delta of a river |
Kan-lara |
slave brand: "Kan-lara Dina: " dina slave brand |
Ax |
Same as in Gorean as in English |
En |
first |
Kara |
turning |
Bana |
beads of great value like gems
or a string of pearls |
Fora |
Chain plural = fori |
Ki |
indicates a negation; the word
is usually translated as "not"; this is not the general word
on Gorean for "no". |
Bara |
belly |
Gor |
HomeStone; It means the same thing in all the languages on the planet. |
ko-lar |
Earth word for "collar."
It is pronounced the way "ko-lar" is spelled. The word "kajira"
and "kan-lara" seem to indicate a preference for the "k"
sound in such words. This would lend some support to the acceptance
of "ko-lar" as a valid Gorean word. |
Bina |
beads of little value, usually
on a necklace |
Har-ta |
faster |
Kosis |
disease |
Canjellne |
challenge |
Ho |
common prefix indicating a
lineage. The word "Ho" is also used almost as a form of greeting
or attention getting in the books. But, in that context, it is not an
actual word in the Gorean language. It is simply English slang. |
La |
Multiple meanings depending
on the context. May mean "Who are you?" "You are?"
"I am" This is the feminine version. |
Civitatis |
of the city of |
Hrimgar |
barrier |
Lar |
central |
Con |
from |
Kaissa |
this is a generic term for
a game, but often refers to Gorean chess |
Lar-Torvis |
The Central Fire, the Sun |
Lesha |
leash |
Sa |
Daughter |
Ship |
Same in Gorean as in English |
Lo |
Masculine version of "la" |
Sa-Fora |
Chain Daughter, a slave. |
Sula |
Can mean either "back"
or "prone" |
Mira |
my |
Sa-Tarna |
Life-Daughter, the staple yellow
grain. |
Ta |
To |
Nadu |
kneel |
Sa-Tassna |
Life-Mother, meat; Also refers
to food in general |
Ta-Sardar-Gor |
The Priest Kings of Gor; a
toast (This is sometimes seen online as "Tar-Sardar-Gor, but "Ta"
not "Tar" is correct) |
Nykus |
victory |
San |
One; feminine is sana |
Ta-teera |
Ta-teera |
Or |
Ten |
Sa'ng |
Without |
Tasta |
The founding, the start or
beginning |
Oralu |
Thousand |
Sa'ng-Fori |
Without chains: freedom or
liberty. |
Tor |
Light |
Orlu |
Hundred |
Sar |
King |
Tor-tu-Gor |
Light upon the Home Stone:
the Sun; most common phrase for the sun |
Pagar |
Pleasure |
Sardar |
Priest-King |
Torvis |
Torvis |
Rarius |
warrior; Rarii=plural |
Se |
Second |
Tu |
Two meanings: First, you are;
Second, upon. |
Urth |
IS NOT A GOREAN WORD.
It was never used in the books. There is no known Gorean term for "Earth."
Simply use the term "Earth." |
Var |
Has three meanings. First,
a resting in months. Second, a turning in directions. Third, "what
is?" |
Veck |
Possibly means "stand"
or "awaken" (This is never clearly defined in the novels but
from its context either of these two might be the definition) |
Verus |
True |
Viktel |
Triumph |
Common Phrases, Word Concepts and Gestures:
1. The Gorean word for "stranger" is the same as enemy.
2. The Gorean word for "mountain" refers to a mountain of soil,
stone or ice. There is no difference to Goreans
as to the makeup of a mountain as to call it something different. An iceberg
is simply a mountain of ice.
3. The term "we" refers to only a group of free persons. A single
free person, with many slaves, would not refer to his group as "we."
4. "Hail (followed by a name)" is a form of greeting reserved for
experts and champions at some activity. A Master Player, Tarn Racing Champion,
Master Swordsman or Ubar would be greeted in this manner.
5. "Tal" is the most common greeting and is usually accompanied
with the right hand raised to shoulder level, palm inward, facing the body.
This signifies that the person being greeted is not considered an enemy. The
gesture shows that the hand is devoid of any weapon. As slaves are not permitted
weapons, then this salute would be ludicrous. As slaves must also respect
all free persons, they cannot consider any to be their enemy. Thus the salute
might even be considered an insult to a free person. Thus a slave may use
the word "Tal" as a greeting but they would not accompany it with
the hand gesture. The gesture would be for free persons only.
6. "I wish you well" is a phrase of farewell.
7. "I ask your favour" is a phrase equivalent to "please."
8. "Tonight let us drink wine" is a fatalistic maxim in which the
events of the future are cast into the hands of the Priest-Kings.
9. Gorean applause: Most people would do this by a quick,
repeated striking of the left shoulder with palm of the right hand. Warriors,
if they had their weapons, would instead strike their spear blades on their
shields.
10. Gestures for silence: Either, holding a finger across
the lips, or you can do it by touching the fingers twice lightly to the lips.
11. Universal gesture for trading: gesturing as if taking
something from a buyer and giving something in return.
12. To blow a kiss in the Gorean fashion, you brush it upward with your fingers.
13. "Share our kettle" is an invitation to a dinner, usually a Low
Caste dinner.
These pages are here for information purposes for A/all to use.
They are included here so we can A/all learn.
Shadow~~Walker