Am 21.05.2026 um 17:56 schrieb SuStel via tlhIngan-Hol:
> I don't see why we don't call these "inherently singular nouns."

Because that is a term that was not used in TKD.

Section 3.3.2 says:
"Finally, some nouns in Klingon are inherently or always plural in
meaning, [...]"

and then:

"The singular counterparts of such words are utterly distinct:"
and
"The singular forms may take the {-mey} suffix, [...]"

Going further (I might be wrong,  I am not a linguist), the word
"inherently plural" roughly means that a noun includes a plural meaning
(in Klingon, not in English). Reversing this definition would mean that
a "inherently singular noun" is ONLY singular. But TKD clearly says that
those singular forms can take plural suffixes, and also "The plural
suffixes are not necessary when a number is used."

So, short: an inherent plural noun is ALWAYS plural. Its singular form
CAN be singular but also plural. That's why it's not an "inherently
singular noun".

> -----Original Message-----
> From: tlhIngan-Hol <tlhingan-hol-bounces@lists.kli.org> On Behalf Of Steven Boozer via tlhIngan-Hol
> Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2026 11:46 AM
> To: tlhingan-hol@kli.org
> Cc: Steven Boozer <sboozer@uchicago.edu>
> Subject: Re: [tlhIngan Hol] Klingon Word of the Day: toyDal (noun)
>
> Klingon word: toyDal
> Part of speech: noun
> Definition: tactic
> Source: qep'a' 28 [2021]
> _______________________________________________
>
> This is the singular form of an inherently plural noun.
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--
Lieven L. Litaer
aka the "Klingon Teacher from Germany"
https://tlhInganHol.com
https://klingon.wiki/En/InherentPlural

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