LOTR Elvish in the Movies: Dialogue, Subtitles, and Literal Meanings
All these Sindarin lines are arranged in chronological order as they occur in the movies. The phrase is given first as it was spoken in the movie, followed by the subtitles given, if any. Following that will be a literal translation as I (Iavas) interpret it. These interpretations are my own and, therefore, any mistakes are mine as well. The following is based on information gathered from Ryszard Derdzinski’s wonderful site, Gwaith-i-Phethdain. If you desire more in-depth information on a particular word or translation, feel free to pm me or visit Tolkien’s Languages in the FOTR Movie.
Fellowship of the Ring
Galadriel’s Prologue
Galadriel: I amar prestar aen, han mathon ne nen, han mathon ne chae, a han noston ned ‘wilith.
Galadriel: The world is changed; I can feel it in the water, I can feel it in the earth, I can smell it in the air.
Literal: They change the world, I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, and I smell it in the air.
Elrond’s Battle Cry
Elrond: Tangado haid! Leithio i philinn!
No subtitles given.
Literal: Confirm places! Release the arrows!
Arwen on Weathertop
Arwen: Frodo, Im Arwen. Telin le thaed. Lasto beth nîn, tolo dan nan galad.
Arwen: Frodo, I am Arwen. I’ve come to help you. Hear my voice, come back to the light.
Literal: Frodo, I am Arwen. I come to help you. Listen to my word, come back to the light.
Arwen and Aragorn before the Bruinen Ford
Aragorn: Dartho guin Beriain. Rych le ad tolthathon.
Aragorn: Stay with the Hobbits. I will send horses for you.
Literal: Stay with the Hobbits. I will make horses come back for you.
Arwen: Hon mabathon. Rochon ellint im.
Arwen: I’m the faster rider. I’ll take him.
Literal: I will take him. I am the swifter rider.
Aragorn: Andelu i ven.
Aragorn: The road is too dangerous.
Literal: The road is too deadly.
Arwen: Frodo fîr. Ae athradon i hîr, tûr gwaith nîn beriatha hon.
Arwen: If I can reach the river, the power of my people will protect him.
Literal: Frodo fades. If I cross the river, the mastery of my people will protect him.
Aragorn: Be iest lîn.
No subtitle given.
Literal: According to your wish.
Arwen to Asfaloth
Arwen: Noro lim, Asfaloth! Noro lim!
No subtitles given.
Literal: Ride on, Asfaloth! Ride on! (or perhaps “Run on, Asfaloth! Run on!)
Arwen’s Bruinen Spell
Arwen: Nîn o chithaeglir, lasto beth daer; Rimmo nîn Bruinen dan in Ulaer.
No subtitles given.
Literal: Waters from the Misty Mountains, listen to the great word; Flow waters of the Loudwater against the Ringwraiths.
Elrond to Frodo in Imladris
Elrond: Frodo, lasto beth nîn. Tolo dan nan galad.
No subtitles given.
Literal: Frodo, listen to my word. Come back to the light.
Elrond to Aragorn at Gilraen’s grave
Elrond: Anirne hene beriad i chên lîn. Ned Imladris nauthant e le beriathar aen.
Elrond: She wanted to protect her child. She thought in Rivendell you would be safe.
Literal: She wanted to protect her child. In Rivendell she conceived they would protect you.
Aragorn and Arwen before Narsil
Arwen: A si i-Dhúath ú-orthor, Aragorn.
Arwen: The shadow does not hold sway yet.
Literal: To now the Shadow masters not, Aragorn.
Arwen: Ú or le a ú or nin.
Arwen: Not over you and not over me.
Literal: Not over you and not over me.
Aragorn and Arwen on the bridge
Arwen: Renich i lú i erui govannem?
Arwen: Do you remember the time when we first met?
Literal: You remember the time that first we were met?
Aragorn: Nauthannen i ned ôl reniannen.
Aragorn: I thought I had strayed into a dream.
Literal: I conceived that in a dream I strayed.
Arwen: Gwennin in enninath…
Arwen: Long years have passed…
Literal: They are passed the long years…
Arwen: Ú-‘arnech in naeth i si celich.
Arwen: You did not have the cares you carry now.
Literal: You had not the woes that now you carry.
Arwen: Renich i beth i pennen?
Arwen: Do you remember the word I told you?
Literal: You remember the word that was said?
Aragorn at the Council
Aragorn: Havo dad, Legolas.
Aragorn: Sit down, Legolas.
Literal: Sit down, Legolas.
Gandalf on Caradhras
Gandalf: Losto Caradhras, sedho, hodo, nuitho i ‘ruith!
No subtitles given.
Literal: Sleep Redhorn, rest, lie still, stop the wrath!
Gandalf before the Gates of Moria
Gandalf: Annon Edhellen edro hi ammen.
Gandalf: Gate of the Elves open now for me.
Literal: Gate of the Elves open now for us.
Gandalf: Fennas Nogothrim lasto beth lammen.
No subtitles given.
Literal: Doorway of the Dwarf-folk hear the word of my tongue.
On entering Lothlórien (extended version)
Haldir: Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion.
Haldir: Welcome, Legolas, son of Thranduil.
Literal: Well met, Legolas, son of Thranduil.
Legolas: Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien.
Legolas: Our fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lórien.
Literal: Our fellowship is bound to you, Haldir of Lórien.
Haldir: A Aragorn in Dúnedain istannen le ammen.
Haldir: Aragorn of Dúnedain, you are known to us.
Literal: Ah, Aragorn of the West Men, you are known to us.
Aragorn: Haldir.
No subtitles given (or needed!)
Literal: Haldir.
On entering Lórien (theater version)
Aragorn: Haldir o Lórien.
No subtitles given.
Literal: Haldir from Lórien.
Aragorn: Henio, aníron, boe ammen i dulu lîn.
No subtitles given.
Literal: Understand, I wish, your support is necessary for us.
Aragorn: Boe ammen veriad lîn.
No subtitles given.
Literal: Your protection is necessary for us.
Aragorn and Haldir in Lórien (extended version)
Aragorn: Boe ammen veriad lîn.
No subtitles given.
Literal: Your protection is necessary for us.
Aragorn: Andelu i ven.
No subtitles given.
Literal: The road is too deadly.
Aragorn: Merin le telim.
No subtitles given.
Literal: I wish that we come with you.
Aragorn: Henio, aníron, boe ammen i dulu lîn.
No subtitles given.
Literal: Understand, I wish, your support is necessary for us.
Aragorn: Andelu i ven.
No subtitles given.
Literal:The road is too deadly.
Celeborn in Lórien
Celeborn: Le aphadar aen.
Celeborn: You are being followed.
Literal: They follow you.
Galadriel and Aragorn in Lórien
Galadriel: Am meleth dîn, i ant e guil Arwen Undómiel pígatha.
Galadriel: For her love, I fear the grace of Arwen Evenstar will diminish.
Literal: For her love, the gift of life of Arwen Evenstar will lessen.
Aragorn: Aníron i e broniatha, ad ae periatham athar i methid en-amar hen. Aníron i e círatha na Valannor.
Aragorn: I would have her leave these shores and be with her people. I would have her take the ship to Valinor.
Literal: I desire that she will endure, even if we are divided beyond the ends of this world. I desire that she will sail to Valinor.
Galadriel to Aragorn
Galadriel: Nadath nâ i moe cerich. Dan, ú-‘eviditham, Elessar.
Galadriel: There is much you have yet to do. We shall not meet again, Elessar.
Literal: Things be that it is necessary you do. But, we will meet not, Elessar.
** *** **
Here’s the modest result of my (Malinornë’s) work with the Quenya lines from the movies. They are all from FOTR, as there doesn’t seem to be any Quenya at all in TTT. Since these phrases weren’t translated in the movie, I’ve done my own translations, which differ slightly from what RD has on his site.
Saruman´s weather spell
Saruman: Cuiva nwalca Carnirassë! Nai yarvaxëa rasselya taltuva ñotto-carinnar!
Literal: Awake, cruel Redhorn! May it be that your blood-stained horn will slide down upon enemy-heads!
Gandalf´s Moria gate spell
Gandalf: Ando Eldarinwa a lasta quettanya, Fenda Casarinwa!
Literal: Elvish gate, listen to my word, Dwarvish Threshold!
Galadriel´s farewell
Galadriel: Namárië!
Literal: Farewell!
** *** **
The Two Towers
Legolas’ Grief
Legolas: Hiro hyn hîdh ab’wanath.
No subititles given.
Literal: May they find peace after death.
Legolas and Aragorn in Fangorn
Legolas: Aragorn, nad no ennas!
Legolas: Something’s out there!
Literal: Aragorn, thing be there!
Aragorn: Man cenich?
Aragorn: What do you see?
Literal: What do you see?
Aragorn and Arwen Dream Sequence
Aragorn: Minlû pedich nin i aur hen telitha.
Aragorn: You told me once this day would come.
Literal: One time you tell me that this day will come.
Arwen: Ú i vethed na i onnad. Boe bedich go Frodo. Han bâd lîn.
Arwen: This is not the end, it is the beginning. You must go with Frodo. This is your path.
Literal: Not the end is the beginning. It is necessary you go together with Frodo. This is your way.
Aragorn: Dolen i vâd o nin.
Aragorn: My path is hidden from me.
Literal: The way is hidden from me.
Arwen: Si peliannen i vâd na dail lin. Si boe ú-dhannathach.
Arwen: It is already laid before your feet. You cannot falter now.
Literal: Now spread the way at your feet. Now it is necessary you will not fall.
Arwen: Ae ú-esteliach nad, estelio han, estelio ammen.
Arwen: If you trust nothing else, trust this, trust us.
Literal: If you trust not thing, trust it, trust to us.
Arwen and Aragorn Before his Departure (extended version)
Arwen: Nach gwannatha sin?
Arwen: Is this how you would take your leave?
Literal: You are going to depart [like] this?
Arwen: Ma nathach (nauthach?) hi gwannathach or minuial archened?
Arwen: Did you think you could slip away at first light – unnoticed?
Literal: Do you think you now going to depart after dawn – without seeing?
Aragorn: Ú-ethelithon.
Aragorn: I will not be coming back.
Literal: I will return not.
Arwen: Estelio guru lîn ne dagor. Ethelithach.
Arwen: You underestimate your skill in battle. You will come back.
Literal: Trust your skill in battle. You will return.
Aragorn: Ú-bedin o gurth ne dagor.
Aragorn: It is not of death in battle that I speak.
Literal: I speak not of death in battle.
Arwen: O man pedich?
Arwen: What do you speak of?
Literal: Of what do you speak?
Aragorn: Edra le men, men na guil edwen, haer o auth a nîr a naeth.
Aragorn: You have a chance for another life, away from war..grief..despair.
Literal: Open to you a road, a road to a second life, far from war and weeping and woe.
Aragorn and Arwen before his departure (theater version)
Aragorn: Edra le men, men na guil edwen, haer o auth a nîr a naeth.
Aragorn: You have a chance for another life, away from war..grief..despair.
Literal: Open to you a road, a road to a second life, far from war and weeping and woe.
Elrond and Arwen in Rivendell
Elrond: Tollen i lû. I chair gwannar na Valannor. Si bado, no círar.
Elrond: The ships are leaving for Valinor. Go now, before it is too late.
Literal: Has come the time. The ships depart to Valinor. Now go, before they sail.
Elrond: Ah im, ú-‘erin veleth lîn?
Elrond: Do I not also have your love?
Literal: And I, I have not your love?
Arwen: Gerich veleth nîn, ada.
Arwen: You have my love, father.
Literal: You have my love, Dad.
Galadriel upon the departure of the elves
See prologue.
Aragorn to Brego (extended version)
Aragorn: Man le trasta, Brego? Man cenich?
No subtitles given.
Literal: What troubles you, Brego? What do you see?
Aragorn to Brego (theater version)
Aragorn: Mae carnen, Brego, mellon nîn.
No subtitle given.
Literal: Well done, Brego, my friend.
Aragorn and Legolas before Helm’s Deep
Legolas: Le abdollen.
Legolas: You’re late.
Literal: You are aftercome.
Aragorn: Hannon le.
No subtitle given.
Literal: I thank you.
Legolas and Aragorn at the Armory
Legolas: Boe a hyn neled herain dan caer menig.
Legolas: And they should be…. three hundred against ten thousand.
Literal: It is necessary for them…three hundreds against ten thousands.
Aragorn: Si, beriathar hyn ammaeg na ned Edoras.
Aragorn: They have more hope of defending themselves here than at Edoras.
Literal: Here, they will defend themselves sharper than in Edoras.
Legolas: Aragorn, nedin dagor hen ú-‘erir ortheri. Natha daged dhaer!
Legolas: They cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!
Literal: Aragorn, in this battle they have not to master. Will be great slaying!
Aragorn to Legolas when he apologizes
Aragorn: Ú-moe edaved, Legolas.
Aragorn: There is nothing to forgive.
Literal: It is not necessary to forgive, Legolas.
Aragorn to Haldir at Helm’s Deep
Aragorn: Mae govannen, Haldir.
No subtitles given.
Literal: Well met, Haldir.
Aragorn to elvish army
Aragorn: A Eruchîn, ú-dano i faelas a hyn an uben tanatha le faelas.
Aragorn: Show them no mercy, for you shall receive none.
Literal: Oh Children of Eru, show not the mercy to them for no one will show you mercy.
Aragorn: Tangado a chadad!
No subtitle given.
Literal: Make firm for hurling!
Legolas to army: Faeg i-varv dîn na lanc a nu ranc.
Legolas: Their armor is weak at the neck and beneath the arm.
Literal: Their armor is bad at the throat and under the arm.
Aragorn: Dartho!
Aragorn: Hold!
Literal: Wait!
Aragorn: Hado i philinn!
Aragorn: Release arrows!
Literal: Hurl the arrows!
Aragorn: Pendraith!
Aragorn: Ladders!
Literal: Stairways!
Aragorn: Na fennas!
Aragorn: Causeway!
Literal: To gateway!
Aragorn: Hado ribed!
No subtitle given.
Literal: Hurl to flow like a torrent!
Aragorn: Hado!
No subtitle given.
Literal: Hurl!
Aragorn (to Legolas): Togo hon dad, Legolas! Dago hon!
Aragorn: Bring him down, Legolas!
Literal: Bring him down, Legolas! Slay him!
Aragorn: Herio!
Aragorn: Charge!
Literal: Begin!
Aragorn: Nan barad!
Aragorn: To the keep!
Literal: To the fortress!
** *** **
Return of the King
Aragorn and Elrond (Gilraen’s Linnod to Aragorn: Translated by Tolkien himself.)
Elrond: Ónen i-estel edain.
Elrond: ‘I gave hope to the Dúnedain.’
Aragorn: ‘Ú-chebin estel anim.’
Aragorn: ‘I have kept no hope for myself.’
Aragorn to Legolas at the coronation
Aragorn: Hannon le.
Aragorn: I thank you.
Elrond at Mithlond
Elrond: I Aear cân ven na mar.
Elrond: The Sea calls us home.
Literal: The Sea calls us to home.
