(to put on your website)
By Fiona J. of Realelvish.net
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.
Check the date here to make sure you have the latest version!
Here is a basic guide so you can learn how to sound out the phrases. I basically used Tolkien's system, with a few changes, which I listed below.
The alphabet I used is IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet). It is far more accurate than the pronunciation guide above, but more difficult to learn. For more information, see Wikipedia, or voices.com's History of the International Phonetic Alphabet. For more notes, read the Pronunciation Guides.
These phrases are in the style of the 3rd age Elves west of the Misty Mountains, influenced by the exiled Noldor.
The asterisks mark fan-coined words.
When dealing with IPA and special characters in general, there are a few things that you will do differently from how you approach normal texts.
Special characters need to be encoded as HTML entities, not left naked in the text. This means writing (ê) for (ê) as so on. If you need to find a symbol, I suggest this page: HTML Symbols, Entities, Characters and Codes, which has a pretty thorough list. When copying the phrases onto your website, copy the phrases and their pronunciations from the source-code of this page. Most web-browsers have a "view source" option of some kind. Use that to grab the code, and the symbols will display properly on your website.
Avoid fancy fonts. Most fonts only cover the basic letters and symbols needed and don't bother to include Greek letters or special IPA letters, and your browser will go back to the default font (Times New Roman, usually) for symbols that aren't supported by the font. This will end up looking really weird. So, to start, use a boring, old font. Times New Roman and Arial have the best IPA character sets, I've found, but Times New Roman is probably your best bet. You don't have to make your whole website Times New Roman, but I suggest making a special class for IPA text in your website's CSS file. I included SPAN-tags in the text to make it easier for you.
English: Hi
Sindarin: A
Pronunciation: A
IPA Pronunciation: /ɑ/
English: Hail!
Sindarin: Ai!
Pronunciation: AI
IPA Pronunciation: /ɑj/
English: A star shines on the hour of our meeting.
Literal: A star shines over the time of our meeting
Sindarin: Êl síla erin lû e-govaded 'wîn.
Pronunciation: EEEL SII.la E.rin LUUU e GO.va.ded WIIIN
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɛ:ʎ ˈsiˑ.lɑ ˈɛ.rin ˈlu: ɛ ˈgɔ.vɑ.dɛd ˈwi:n/
English: Wellcome!
Literal: Good/blessed/fortunate-coming
Sindarin: Aldol!
Pronunciation: AL.dol
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɑl.dɔl/
English: Well met!
Literal: [familiar] You are well met
Sindarin: Mae govannen!
Pronunciation: MAE go.VAN.nen
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈmɑɛ gɔˈvɑn.nɛn/
English: At last!
Sindarin: Na vedui!
Pronunciation: na VE.dui
IPA Pronunciation: /nɑ ˈvɛ.duj/
English: Come near the fire
Literal: Come to the fire
Sindarin: Tolo anin naur
Pronunciation: TO.lo A.nin NAUR
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈtɔ.lɔ ˈɑ.nin ˈnɑur/
English: Come with me
Literal: Follow me
Sindarin: Aphado nin
Pronunciation: A.fa.do NIN
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɑ.fɑ.dɔ ˈnin/
English: Come, join us
Literal: Come, meet [exclusive] us
Sindarin: Tolo, govado ven
Pronunciation: TO.lo GO.va.do VEN
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈtɔ.lɔ ˈgɔ.vɑ.dɔ ˈvɛn/
English: You are welcome here
Literal: [exclusive] We welcome [familiar] you here
Sindarin: Gi nathlof hí
Pronunciation: gi NATH.lov HII
IPA Pronunciation: /gi ˈnɑθ.lɔv ˈhiˑ/
English: You are welcome here
Literal: [exclusive] We welcome [reverential] you here
Sindarin: Le nathlof hí
Pronunciation: le NATH.lov HII
IPA Pronunciation: /lɛ ˈnɑθ.lɔv ˈhiˑ/
English: Enjoy yourself
Literal: Be joyous
Sindarin: No veren
Pronunciation: no VE.ren
IPA Pronunciation: /nɔ ˈvɛ.rɛn/
English: Farewell
Literal: Be good
Sindarin: Novaer
Pronunciation: NO.vaer
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈnɔ.vɑɛr/
English: Good luck/Good Bye
Sindarin: Galu
Pronunciation: GA.lu
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈgɑ.lu/
English: Have joy and laughter
Literal: Have joy and laughter
Sindarin: Savo 'lass a lalaith
Pronunciation: SA.vo LASS a LA.laith
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈsɑ.vɔ ˈlɑs ɑ ˈlɑ.lɑjθ/
English: I must go
Literal: It is necessary to me to leave
Sindarin: Boe annin mened
Pronunciation: BOE AN.nin ME.ned
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈbɔɛ ˈɑn.nin ˈmɛ.nɛd/
English: Let's go
Literal: [inclusive] We shall [willingly] go
Sindarin: Menathab
Pronunciation: ME.na.thab
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈmɛ.nɑ.θɑb/
English: My heart shall weep until I see you again
Literal: My soul weeps until you and I meet again
Sindarin: I faer nîn *nínia *aden a-govedinc
Pronunciation: i FAER NIIIN NII.ni.a A.den a.GO.ve.diñk
IPA Pronunciation: /i ˈfɑɛr ˈni:n ˈniˑ.ni.ɑ ˈɑ.dɛn ɑˈgɔ.vɛ.diŋk/
English: Sleep well
Sindarin: *Loro vae
Pronunciation: LO.ro VAE
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈlɔ.rɔ ˈvɑɛ/
English: Rest well
Sindarin: *Posto vae
Pronunciation: POS.to VAE
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈpɔs.tɔ ˈvɑɛ/
English: Sweet dreams
Literal: Dream well
Sindarin: Ollo vae
Pronunciation: OL.lo VAE
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɔl.lɔ ˈvɑɛ/
English: Until next we meet
Literal: To the time of our meeting
Sindarin: Na lû e-govaded 'wîn
Pronunciation: na LUUU e GO.va.ded WIIIN
IPA Pronunciation: /nɑ ˈlu: ɛ ˈgɔ.vɑ.dɛd ˈwi:n/
English: Until then
Literal: When the time will come
Sindarin: N'i lû tôl
Pronunciation: ni LUUU TOOOL
IPA Pronunciation: /ni ˈlu: ˈtɔ:l/
English: Until tomorrow
Literal: After today
Sindarin: *Abarad
Pronunciation: A.ba.rad
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɑ.bɑ.rɑd/
English: Do you speak Elvish?
Literal: Do [familiar] you speak Elvish
Sindarin: Pedig edhellen?
Pronunciation: PE.dig e.DHEL.len
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈpɛ.dig ɛˈðɛʎ.lɛn/
English: Do you speak Elvish?
Literal: Do [reverential] you speak Elvish
Sindarin: Pedil edhellen?
Pronunciation: PE.dil e.DHEL.len
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈpɛ.diʎ ɛˈðɛʎ.lɛn/
English: I don't speak Elvish
Literal: I don't speak Elvish
Sindarin: *Law bedin edhellen
Pronunciation: LAW BE.din e.DHEL.len
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈlɑw ˈbɛ.din ɛˈðɛʎ.lɛn/
English: I speak Elvish
Literal: I speak Elvish
Sindarin: Pedin edhellen
Pronunciation: PE.din e.DHEL.len
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈpɛ.din ɛˈðɛʎ.lɛn/
English: I don't know
Sindarin: *Law iston
Pronunciation: LAW IS.ton
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈlɑw ˈis.tɔn/
English: I know
Sindarin: Iston
Pronunciation: IS.ton
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈis.tɔn/
English: May we speak as friends now?
Literal: you and I will speak now as friends?
Sindarin: Pedathanc hi sui vellyn?
Pronunciation: PE.da.thañk HI SUI VEL.lyn
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈpɛ.dɑ.θɑŋk ˈhi ˈsuj ˈvɛʎ.lyn/
English: I am ___
Literal: I am _[a name]_
Sindarin: Im ___
Pronunciation: IM ...
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈim .../
English: I know your face
Literal: I know [familiar] your face
Sindarin: Iston i nîf gîn
Pronunciation: IS.ton i NIIIV GIIIN
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈis.tɔn i ˈni:v ˈgi:n/
English: I know your face
Literal: I know [reverential] your face
Sindarin: Iston i nîf lîn
Pronunciation: IS.ton i NIIIV LIIIN
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈis.tɔn i ˈni:v ˈli:n/
English: Don't be afraid
Literal: [you] don't fear
Sindarin: Av-'osto
Pronunciation: a.VOS.to
IPA Pronunciation: /ɑˈvɔs.tɔ/
English: Alas!
Sindarin: Nae!
Pronunciation: NAE
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈnɑɛ/
English: Behold!
Sindarin: Alae!
Pronunciation: A.lae
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɑ.lɑɛ/
English: Beware!
Literal: Be watchful!
Sindarin: No dirweg!
Pronunciation: no DIR.weg
IPA Pronunciation: /nɔ ˈdir.wɛg/
English: Eek!
Sindarin: Ai!
Pronunciation: AI
IPA Pronunciation: /ɑi/
English: Flee!
Literal: Flee
Sindarin: Drego!
Pronunciation: DRE.go
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈdrɛ.gɔ/
English: Go away!
Literal: Be gone
Sindarin: Ego!
Pronunciation: E.go
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɛ.gɔ/
English: Run!
Sindarin: Noro!
Pronunciation: NO.ro
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈnɔ.rɔ/
English: Stop!
Literal: Halt
Sindarin: Daro!
Pronunciation: DA.ro
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈdɑ.rɔ/
English: Wow!
Sindarin: Elo!
Pronunciation: E.lo
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɛ.lɔ/
English: Wake up
Literal: Awaken
Sindarin: *Echuio
Pronunciation: e.KHUI.o
IPA Pronunciation: /ɛˈxuj.ɔ/
English: Help!
Literal: Help!
Sindarin: Natho!
Pronunciation: NA.tho
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈnɑ.θɔ/
English: I'm here to save you
Literal: I came to save [familiar] you
Sindarin: Odúlen gi nathad
Pronunciation: o.DUU.len gi NA.thad
IPA Pronunciation: /ɔˈduˑ.lɛn gi ˈnɑ.θɑd/
English: I'm here to save you
Literal: I came to save [reverential] you
Sindarin: Odúlen le nathad
Pronunciation: o.DUU.len le NA.thad
IPA Pronunciation: /ɔˈduˑ.lɛn lɛ ˈnɑ.θɑd/
English: Release me
Literal: Release me
Sindarin: Leithio nin
Pronunciation: LEI.thi.o NIN
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈlej.θi.ɔ ˈnin/
English: Him or her needs healing
Literal: It is necessary to heal him or her
Sindarin: Boe de nestad
Pronunciation: BOE de NES.tad
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈbɔɛ dɛ ˈnɛs.tɑd/
English: Sorry
Literal: Forgive me
Sindarin: Goheno nin
Pronunciation: GO.he.no NIN
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈgɔ.hɛ.nɔ ˈnin/
English: Yes
Literal: It is so
Sindarin: *Naw
Pronunciation: NAW
IPA Pronunciation: /nɑw/
English: Yes
Literal: May it be so!/Make it so!
Sindarin: No!
Pronunciation: NO
IPA Pronunciation: /nɔ/
English: Yes
Literal: Good!
Sindarin: Ma!
Pronunciation: MA
IPA Pronunciation: /mɑ/
English: No
Literal: It isn't so
Sindarin: *Law
Pronunciation: LAW
IPA Pronunciation: /lɑw/
English: No
Literal: It can't be so!
Sindarin: Û!
Pronunciation: UUU
IPA Pronunciation: /u:/
English: No
Literal: Don't!
Sindarin: Baw!
Pronunciation: BAW
IPA Pronunciation: /bɑw/
English: Please
Literal: For my joy
Sindarin: Anin gell nîn
Pronunciation: A.nin GELL NIIIN
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɑ.nin ˈgɛʎl ˈni:n/
English: I love you
Literal: I love [familiar] you
Sindarin: Gi melin
Pronunciation: gi ME.lin
IPA Pronunciation: /gi ˈmɛ.lin/
English: I love you
Literal: I love [reverential] you
Sindarin: Le melin
Pronunciation: le ME.lin
IPA Pronunciation: /lɛ ˈmɛ.lin/
English: I love to see your eyes shine when you laugh
Literal: I delight when [familiar] your eyes shine when [familiar] you laugh
Sindarin: *Gellon ned i gelir i chent gîn ned i lelig
Pronunciation: GEL.lon NED i GE.lir i KHENT GIIIN NED i LE.lig
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈgɛʎ.lɔn ˈnɛd i ˈgɛ.lir i ˈxɛnt ˈgi:n ˈnɛd i ˈlɛ.lig/
English: I love to see your eyes shine when you laugh
Literal: I delight when [reverential] your eyes shine when [reverential] you laugh
Sindarin: *Gellon ned i cenin i chent ln ned i lelil
Pronunciation: GEL.lon NED i CE.nin i KHENT LIIIN NED i LE.lil
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈgɛʎ.lɔn ˈnɛd i ˈkɛ.nin i ˈxɛnt ˈli:n ˈnɛd i ˈlɛ.liʎ/
English: Thank you
Literal: I give thanks to you [reverential]
Sindarin: *Hannon allen
Pronunciation: HAN.non AL.len
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈhɑn.nɔn ˌɑl.lɛn/
English: Thank you
Literal: You [reverential] are/were helpful/kind
Sindarin: Le athae
Pronunciation: LE A.thae
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈlɛ ˈɑ.θɑɛ/
English: Thank you from my heart
Literal: My soul sings with joy
Sindarin: I faer nîn linna nan glass
Pronunciation: i FAER NIIIN LIN.na nañ GLAS
IPA Pronunciation: /i ˈfɑɛr ˈni:n ˈlin.nɑ nɑŋ ˈglɑs/
English: You did well
Literal: [familiar] you did well
Sindarin: Agóreg vae
Pronunciation: a.GOO.reg VAE
IPA Pronunciation: /ɑ.ˈgɔˑ.rɛg ˈvɑɛ/
English: You did well
Literal: [reverential] you did well
Sindarin: Agórel vae
Pronunciation: a.GOO.rel VAE
IPA Pronunciation: /ɑ.ˈgɔˑ.rɛʎ ˈvɑɛ/
English: My Lady
Literal: Beloved Lady
Sindarin: Hiril vuin
Pronunciation: HI.ril VUIN
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈhi.riʎ ˈvujn/
English: My lord
Literal: Beloved lord
Sindarin: Hîr vuin
Pronunciation: HIIIR VUIN
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈhi:r ˈvujn/
English: My child
Literal: [diminutive] Child
Sindarin: Henig
Pronunciation: HE.nig
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈhɛ.nig/
English: My son
Literal: [diminutive] Son
Sindarin: Ionneg
Pronunciation: JON.neg
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈjɔn.nɛg/
English: My daughter
Literal: [diminutive] Daughter
Sindarin: Iellig
Pronunciation: JEL.lig
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈjɛʎ.lig/
English: Daddy
Sindarin: Ada
Pronunciation: A.da
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɑ.dɑ/
English: Mommy
Sindarin: Nana
Pronunciation: NA.na
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈnɑ.nɑ/
English: I won't
Literal: I refuse
Sindarin: Avon
Pronunciation: A.von
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɑ.vɔn/
English: You betrayed me
Literal: [familiar] you betrayed me
Sindarin: Nin gwerianneg
Pronunciation: NIÑ gwe.ri.AN.neg
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈniŋ gwɛ.riˈɑn.nɛg/
English: You smell like a monster
Literal: [familiar] you have the stench of a monster
Sindarin: Sevig thû úan
Pronunciation: SE.vig THUUU UU.an
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈsɛ.vig ˈθu: ˈuˑ.ɑn/
English: Your head is empty
Literal: [familiar] your head is empty
Sindarin: I dhôl gîn lost
Pronunciation: i DHOOOL GIIIN LOST
IPA Pronunciation: /i ˈðɔ:l ˈgi:n ˈlɔst/
English: Evil fate!
Literal: Poor fate
Sindarin: Amarth faeg!
Pronunciation: A.marth FAEG
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɑ.mɑrθ ˈfɑɛg/
English: Curses!
Sindarin: Rhaich!
Pronunciation: RHAIKH
IPA Pronunciation: /r̊ɑjx/
English: Idiot!
Literal: Lacking intelligence
Sindarin: Pen-channas!
Pronunciation: pen.KHAN.nas
IPA Pronunciation: /pɛnˈxɑn.nɑs/
English: Where are we?
Literal: Where are [inclusive] we
Sindarin: Mi van 'wen?
Pronunciation: mi VAN WEN
IPA Pronunciation: /mi ˈvɑn ˈwɛn/
English: Do you promise?
Literal: Do [familiar] you promise
Sindarin: Gwestog?
Pronunciation: GWES.tog
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈgwɛs.tɔg/
English: Do you promise?
Literal: Do [reverential] you promise
Sindarin: Gwestol?
Pronunciation: GWES.tol
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈgwɛs.tɔl/
English: Is it done?
Literal: Is the task done
Sindarin: I dass carnen?
Pronunciation: i DAS KAR.nen
IPA Pronunciation: /i ˈdɑs ˈkɑr.nɛn/
English: Is it necessary?
Literal: Is it necessary
Sindarin: Boe?
Pronunciation: BOE
IPA Pronunciation: /bɔɛ/
English: Is there danger?
Literal: Danger?
Sindarin: *Rachas?
Pronunciation: RA.khas
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈrɑ.xɑs/
English: What are you doing?
Literal: What are [familiar] you doing
Sindarin: Man cerig?
Pronunciation: MAN KE.rig
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈman ˈkɛ.rig/
English: What are you doing?
Literal: What are [reverential] you doing
Sindarin: Man ceril?
Pronunciation: MAN KE.ril
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈmɑn ˈkɛ.riʎ/
English: What did you do?
Literal: What did [familiar] you do
Sindarin: Man agóreg?
Pronunciation: MAN a.GOO.reg
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈmɑn ɑˈgɔˑ.rɛg/
English: What did you do?
Literal: What did [reverential] you do
Sindarin: Man agórel?
Pronunciation: MAN a.GOO.rel
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈmɑn ɑˈgɔˑ.rɛʎ/
English: At when?/At where?
Sindarin: Na van?
Pronunciation: na VAN
IPA Pronunciation: /na ˈvan/
English: With what?
Literal: What with
Sindarin: A van?
Pronunciation: a VAN
IPA Pronunciation: /ɑ ˈvɑn/
English: Which one?
Literal: Which person
Sindarin: Pen van?
Pronunciation: PEN VAN
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈpɛn ˈvɑn/
English: Who is leading?
Literal: Who leads
Sindarin: Ma tôg?
Pronunciation: MA TOOOG
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈmɑ ˈtɔ:g/
English: Why not?
Literal: Don't do it for what purpose
Sindarin: Avo garo am man theled?
Pronunciation: A.vo GA.ro am MAN THE.led
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɑ.vɔ ˈgɑ.rɔ ɑm ˈmɑn ˈθɛ.lɛd/
English: Why?
Sindarin: Am man?
Pronunciation: am MAN
IPA Pronunciation: /ɑm ˈmɑn/
English: Why?
Literal: For what purpose
Sindarin: Am man theled?
Pronunciation: am MAN THE.led
IPA Pronunciation: /ɑm ˈmɑn ˈθɛ.lɛd/
English: He or she had too many cups of drink
Literal: He or she drank countless cups of drink
Sindarin: Uhunc ylf ú-nedui
Pronunciation: U.huñk YLV UU.ne.dui
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈu.huŋk ˈylv ˈuˑ.nɛ.duj/
English: Go kiss an orc
Literal: Be gone, kiss an orc
Sindarin: Ego, *mibo orch
Pronunciation: E.go MI.bo ORKH
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɛ.gɔ ˈmi.bɔ ˈɔrx/
English: I can say what I wish, and you can't understand me
Literal: I say the words that I want, and [familiar] you can't understand me
Sindarin: Pedin i phith in aníron, a nin ú-cheniog
Pronunciation: PE.din i FITH in a.NII.ron a NIN uu.KHE.ni.og
IPA Pronunciation: /ˈpɛ.din i ˈfiθ in ɑˈniˑ.rɔn ɑ ˈnin uˑˈxɛ.ni.ɔg/