What does "Dovahkiin" mean?

[Saphayla]

Now, we all know that Dovahkiin is commonly translated to Dragonborn, which is understandable, since Dovah means Dragons, and Kiin means Born, so Born from Dragons.

However, in the later stages of the Main Quest, you learn that Dragon names, like Alduin or Salokhnir are combinations of three words of power and can be used as Shouts themselves, calling to the dragon wherever they are. After defeating your first dragon, the Greybeards use the word Dovahkiin in the same manner, to call you.

But if Dovahkiin, just like dragon names is comprised of three words of power, then Dovah-Kiin doesn't work, because that's only two words. Dov, meaning Dragon, would fit the word well, and we'd be left with Ah, meaning Hunter. So Dovahkiin not only means Dragonborn, but also Hunter of Dragonkind.

Just a cool little thing I thought I'd share.

[Falro the Great]

I have no doubt that was absolutely intentional and calculated on Bethesda's part. They tend to be really good at hiding things that most people would get.

[GrimCat]

I read it as Dragon-Kin. As in someone related to dragons.

[Docsprock]

Dovahkiin is three syllables. Just like you hear the Greybeards call. Dov-ah-kiin, three words. You hear both Alduin and Paarthurnax refer to dragons as the Dov. I do not know what the meaning of 'ah' means however. Ive never heard of 'ah' being hunter.

[Saphayla]

Originally posted by Docsprock:

Dovahkiin is three syllables. Just like you hear the Greybeards call. Dov-ah-kiin, three words. You hear both Alduin and Paarthurnax refer to dragons as the Dov. I do not know what the meaning of 'ah' means however. Ive never heard of 'ah' being hunter.

The only source for a translation of the word Ah is the in-game UI translating the Ah part in Od-Ah-Viing to Hunter.

When you go with Delphine to Kynesgrove, Alduin says to the Dragonborn "You do not even know our tongue, do you? Such arrogance, to dare take for yourself the name of Dovah". I admit I made a mistake, because I assumed Dov meant Dragon and Dovah meant Dragons, but when Alduin says Dovah he probably means Dragon Slayer, which is what Delphine calls you after you defeat Sahloknir.

[gnewna]

Dovah also means "dragon", and can also be used as a pronoun (similar to how Khajiit sometimes use that term to talk about themselves or the person they are addressing in the third person - 'khajiit thinks this would be wise' and so on.)

https://www.thuum.org/word.php?w=735

Dov is more general ('dragonkind', dragons in general), I think, and that link (which that site is pretty well-researched and I suspect created by actual language nerds like me) agrees.

[Saphayla]

Originally posted by gnewna:

ttps:/www.thuum.org/word.php?w=735
that site is pretty well-researched and I suspect created by actual language nerds like me

I like the fact that when I used this site's translator to see what Ah means, they actuall gave me the source of where the word is available in-game, allowing me to check for myself. Really cool and respectable.

[Docsprock]

I forgot Odahviing. Good one.