Editing Sangheili (language)

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Quote|Their language doesn't translate in a literal manner, and each word has multiple meanings.|[[Cortana]]{{Ref/Novel|Id=HFSC16|FS|Chapter=16}}}}

[[File:Sunaion Triangle symbols.png|thumb|350px|Sangheili scripture on [[Sunaion]].]]
{{Series/Species/Sangheili}}
'''Sangheili''' describes multiple dialects of a language spoken by the [[Sangheili|species of the same name]]. Though the [[:Category:Covenant species|member species]] of the [[Covenant]] had their own unique languages, an advanced dialect of Sangheili, known as '''basic Sangheili''',{{Ref/Comic|Id=HTFSHP|HTFS|Story=Hunting Party}} came to serve as the [[Wikipedia:Lingua franca|''lingua franca'']] throughout the entire Covenant Empire.{{Ref/Site|Id=HWUFCovenant|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/covenant|Site=Halo Waypoint|Section=Universe, Factions|Page=Covenant|D=21|M=1|Y=2021|LocalArchive=https://archives.halopedia.org/waypoint/www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/covenant.html}} And as such, many names of member species are derived from the Sangheili.{{Ref/Novel|GoO|Chapter=??}} Even after the [[Great Schism|fragmentation]] of the Covenant, many former client species of the Covenant continue to use the Sangheili language in lieu of their native tongues; Sangheili has even replaced their native language for many.{{Ref/Reuse|HWUFCovenant}} A specific trade pidgin also existed within the [[Covenant fringe]].{{Ref/Site|Id=HWUCAxl|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/axl|Site=Halo Waypoint|Section=Universe, Characters|Page=Axl|D=21|M=1|Y=2021|LocalArchive=https://archives.halopedia.org/waypoint/www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/axl.html}}

==Description==
Text, or writing, in Sangheili appears to be mostly triangle shapes and composed almost completely of equilateral triangles. The triangular characters have been seen oriented both in the horizontal left-to-right direction and in a vertical right-to-left direction.{{Ref/Film|Id=fud1|Film=Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn|Detail=Part 1}}

Though originating with the Sangheili, an advanced dialect of their language has come to be the Covenant ''lingua franca'', used to connect the different races and species.{{Ref/Reuse|HWUFCovenant}} Curiously, in several instances of Forerunner-related terminology, the Sangheili appear to use the English translations of the original Forerunner terms, as for "[[Forerunner]]", "[[Requiem]]", "[[Reclaimer]]", "[[Ur-Didact|Didact]]", and "[[Librarian]]".{{Ref/SpOps|Id=Ops}}{{Ref/Note|It should be noted that in ''Spartan Ops'' subtitles, these terms are phonetically transliterated from Sangheili speech (e.g.  "Dieduckt", "Liebuh-Rahrian", "Reecleymah") rather than using their proper spellings.}} During the [[San'Shyuum-Sangheili War]], the [[San'Shyuum]] obtained a comprehensive understanding of the Sangheili language by brutally torturing and interrogating [[Prisoner of war|prisoners of war]]. After establishing peace with the Sangheili, the San'Shyuum of the fledgling Covenant relied on [[translation software]] built into their [[anti-gravity chair]]s to understand the language.{{Ref/Novel|Id=BC1|BC|Chapter=1}} The [[Ussans]] developed in isolation from other Sangheili, and their language evolved into a different form of the Sangheili dialect. It possessed similarities to Old Sangheili,{{Ref/Novel|Id=BC21|BC|Chapter=21}} but the language developed into a new dialect that could not be readily understood by the "average" Sangheili.{{Ref/Novel|BC|Chapter=15}} While speaking with [[Sali 'Nyon]], the [[Banished]] [[War Chief]] [[Severan]] was able to address him in perfect Sangheili despite being a [[Jiralhanae]].{{Ref/Novel|ET|Chapter=32}}

==Structure==
Sangheili words generally consists of simply structured syllables. Most syllables consist of a single consonant (e.g. /s/) or a consonant complex (e.g. /t͡s/) followed by a long vowel or a diphthong or in rarer cases a short vowel or a short vowel followed by "n". Other types of syllables include a moraic "nn", a short vowel, a single diphthong, a triphthong, or a long vowel. Finally, some syllables in the middle or, more commonly, at the end of their word might have their vowel component devoiced.

==Intonation==
Sangheili generally seems to possess word stress, though the possibility of dialects featuring pitch accent shouldn't necessarily be excluded. Sangheili words usually possess only a primary stress with longer words sometimes possessing a secondary stress in the first syllable. The primary stress usually falls on the penult (second from last syllable). However, in many words the stress might fall on the ultima (last syllable) or antepenult (third from last syllable).

==Phonology==
The Sangheili language includes 8 main vowels (/ä/, /ɑ/, /i/, /ɪ/, /e̞/, /ɔ/, /o/ and /u/) and 18 main consonants (/s/, /z/, /ʂ/, /ʐ/, /q/, /ɢ/, /ʈ/, /ɖ/, /f/, /b̪/, /ħ/, /j/, /ɰ<sup>β</sup>/, /ɱ/, /ɳ/, /ɴ/, /ɻ/ and /ʔ/). Three more consonants also appear in words borrowed from other Sangheili dialects or alien languages. These are /p̪/, /ɺ<sup>ɽ</sup>~ɭ/ and /ʋ/. In certain instances, the sounds /o̞/, /ɕ/, /ʑ/, /w/ and /ɽ/ can appear as allophones of /ɔ/, /ʂ/, /ʐ/, /ɰ<sup>β</sup>/ and /ɻ/ respectively. Furthermore, /ɯ<sup>β</sup>/ and /ʊ/ are allophones of /u/ while /ə/ can serve as allophone of /ä/ and /e̞/ when those two sounds are weakened.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Sangheili consonant phonemes
|-
!  !! Labiodental !! Alveolar !! Retroflex !! Palatal !! Dorsal !! Glottal
|-align="center"
! Nasal
| ɱ || || ɳ || || ɴ ||
|-align="center"
! Flap
| (ʋ) || || ( ɺ<sup>ɽ</sup> ~ ɭ ) || || ||
|-align="center"
! rowspan="2" | Plosive
| (p̪) || || ʈ || || q || ʔ
|-align="center"
| b̪ || || ɖ || || ɢ ||
|-align="center"
! rowspan="2" | Fricative
| f || s || ʂ [ʂ ~ ɕ] || || || ħ
|-align="center"
| || z || ʐ [ʐ ~ ʑ] || || ||
|-align="center"
! Approximant
| || || ɻ [ɻ ~ ɽ]|| j || ɰ<sup>β</sup> [ɰ<sup>β</sup> ~ w] ||
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Sangheili vowel phonemes
|-
!  !! Non-Back !! Back
|-align="center"
! High
| i || u [u ~ ɯ<sup>β</sup> ~ ʊ]
|-align="center"
! Near-high
| ɪ ||
|-align="center"
! High-mid
| || o [o ~ o̞]
|-align="center"
! Mid
| e̞ [e̞ ~ ə] ||
|-align="center"
! Low-mid
| || ɔ
|-align="center"
! Low
| ä [ä ~ ə] || ɑ
|-align="center"
! Diphthongs
| colspan="2" | e̞ɪ äɪ äu ɔɪ ou
|}

Consonants /ɳ/, /ɱ/ and /ɴ/ can in some cases be moraic, in which case they are geminated and pronounced as /ɳ:/, /ɱ:/  and /ɴ:/. In addition some consonant complexes can be formed. These are /ʈ͡ʂ/, /ʈ͡ɕ/, /ɖ͡ʐ/, /ɖ͡ʑ/, /t͡s/, /ʈɰ<sup>β</sup>/, /ɖɰ<sup>β</sup>/, /ɳɰ<sup>β</sup>/ and /ɳɱ/.

/ɳɱ/, /ɳ:/ and /ɱ:/ appear only when /ɳ:/ precedes a labiodental /b̪/ or /ɱ/ resulting in /ɳ:/ being pronounced as either /ɳɱ/, /ɳ:/ or /ɱ:/ for phonological reasons.

When followed by /i/, consonants /ʂ/, /ʐ/, /ʈ͡ʂ/ and /ɖ͡ʐ/ can be pronounced as /ɕi/, /ʑi/ /q<sup>j</sup>i/, /ɢ<sup>j</sup>i/, /ħ<sup>j</sup>i/, /ʈ͡ɕi/ and /ɖ͡ʑi/ respectively.

When followed by /i/, consonants /q/, /ɢ/ and /ħ/ can be pronounced as /q<sup>j</sup>i/, /ɢ<sup>j</sup>i/ and /ħ<sup>j</sup>i/ respectively.
When followed by /e̞/, consonants /q/, /ɢ/ and /ħ/ can be pronounced as /q<sup>j</sup>e̞/, /ɢ<sup>j</sup>e̞/ and /ħ<sup>j</sup>e̞/ respectively.

/ɴ/ and /ɴ:/ appear before or after the uvular consonants /q/ and /ɢ/ in place of /ɳ/ and /ɳ:/.
/ɺ<sup>ɽ</sup>~ɭ/ can sometimes be heard as either ɺ<sup>ɽ</sup> or ɭ but is generally an intermediate sound. The sound /ɺ<sup>ɽ</sup>~ɭ/ itself has no human equivalent.
/ɻ/ and /ɽ/ allophones of the same consonant. In reality they are only approximates of the Sangheili r sounds which has no human equivalent. Most users prefer to use /ɻ/.
/ä/ is near front and closer to the Japanese /ä/ but some speakers pronounce it as a central vowel like the Italian /ä/. Some speakers use /ä/ insead of /ɑ/.
/e̞/ and /i/ are near front vowels and not front vowels.
/ɔ/ and /o̞/ are allophones of the same vowel. As such their use depends on the speaker’s preference.
/ʊ/ can be used instead of /u/ when /u/ is short only.  
/ɯ<sup>β</sup>/ can be used instead of /u/ regardless of whether /u/ is short or long. The sound itself is compressed and neither rounded nor fully unrounded. It is pronounced like the Japanese u.
/ɰ<sup>β</sup>/ is a compressed labiovelar approximant. It can also be symbolized as /w<sup>β</sup>/.  It is pronounced like the Japanese w.

Sometimes /ɖ͡ʐ/ can be pronounced as /ʐ/ or /ɖ͡ʐ~ʐ/.

Sangheili also makes use of the following diphthongs:

/e̞ɪ/, can be pronounced as /e̞j/ before vowels

/ou/ also pronounced as /oɯ<sup>β</sup>/, /oʊ/, /o̞u/, /o̞ɯ<sup>β</sup>/ or /o̞ʊ/

/äɪ/

/ɔɪ/ also pronounced as /o̞ɪ/ and sometimes pronounced as /ɔj/ or /o̞j/ before vowels.

/äu/ also pronounced as /äɯ<sup>β</sup>/ or /äʊ/ (rare)

==Phonetic transcription==

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Summary of letter-to-sound correspondences
|-
! Letter(s) !! Corresponding sound(s)
|-
| a || /ä/<br>/ə/ if the syllable is weakened
|-
| aa || /ɑ:/ ~ /ä:/
|-
| ae || /äə/ ~ /äe̞/ ~ /e̞:/
|-
| ah || /ɑ:/ ~ /ä:/
|-
| ai || usually, /äɪ/<br>alternatively, /e̞ɪ/
|-
| au || /äu/ ~ /äɯ<sup>β</sup>/ ~ /äʊ/
|-
| ay || /e̞ɪ/<br>/e̞j/ when followed by a vowel<br>/äj/ (rarely)
|-
| e || /e̞/<br>/ə/ if the syllable is weakened
|-
| eay || /ɪ.e̞ɪ/
|-
| ee || /i:/ ~ /ɪ:/
|-
| eh || /e̞:/
|-
| ei || /e̞ɪ/<br>/i:/ (rarely)
|-
| ey || /e̞ɪ/<br>/e̞j/ when followed by a vowel
|-
| i || /ɪ/
|-
| ie || /äɪ/
|-
| o || /ɔ/ ~ /o̞/
|-
| oh || /ɔ:/ ~ /o̞:/
|-
| oo || /u:/ ~ /ɯ<sup>β</sup>:/ ~ /o:/
|-
| ou || /ou/ ~ /oɯ<sup>β</sup>/ ~ /oʊ/ ~ /o̞u/ ~ /o̞ɯ<sup>β</sup>/ ~ /o̞ʊ/
|-
| oy || /ɔɪ/ ~ /o̞ɪ/<br>/ɔj/ ~ /o̞j/ when followed by a vowel
|-
| u || /u/ ~ /ɯ<sup>β</sup>/ ~ /ʊ/
|-
| uh || /u:/ ~ /ɯ<sup>β</sup>:/
|-
| uu || /u:/ ~ /ɯ<sup>β</sup>:/
|-
| y || /j/ between two vowels or at the beginning of a word<br>/ɪ/ at the end of a word, before a consonant, or after any consonant except "nn"
|-
| m || /ɱ/
|-
| n || /ɳ/<br>/ɴ/ when adjacent to /q/ or /ɢ/<br>/ɳ ~ ɳ<sup>ɱ</sup> ~ ɱ/ when followed by any labiodental consonant ( /ɱ/, /b̪/, /p̪/, /f/, /ʋ/)
|-
| nn || /ɳ:/<br>/ɴ:/ when adjacent to /q/ or /ɢ/<br>/ɳ: ~ ɳɱ ~ ɱ:/ when followed by any labiodental consonant
|-
| v || /ʋ/
|-
| l || /ɺ<sup>ɽ</sup> ~ ɭ/
|-
| p || /p̪/
|-
| t || /ʈ/
|-
| k || /k ~ q/<br>/k<sup>j</sup>~q<sup>j</sup>/ when followed by /i/ or /e̞/
|-
| ' || /ʔ/
|-
| b || /b/
|-
| d || /ɖ/
|-
| g || /g ~ ɢ/<br>/g<sup>j</sup>~ɢ<sup>j</sup>/ when followed by /i/ or /e̞/
|-
| gh || /ɢ ~ ɢ<sup>h</sup>/<br>/ɢ<sup>j</sup>e̞:/ and /ɢ<sup>h</sup>e̞:/ when followed by "e" (thus forming "ghee")<br>/ɢ<sup>j</sup>e̞ɪ/, /ɢ<sup>h</sup>e̞ɪ/, /ɢ<sup>j</sup>i:/ and /ɢ<sup>h</sup>e:/ when followed by "ei" (thus forming "ghei")
|-
| f || /f/
|-
| s || /s/
|-
| sh || /ʂ/<br>can be pronounced /ɕ/ when followed by /i/
|-
| h || /ħ/<br>/ħ<sup>j</sup>/ when followed by /i/
|-
| z || /z/
|-
| ts || /t͡s/
|-
| ch || /ʈ͡ʂ/<br>can be pronounced /ʈ͡ɕ/ when followed by /i/
|-
| j || /ɖ͡ʐ ~ ʐ/<br>can be pronounced /ɖ͡ʑ ~ ʑ/ when followed by /i/
|-
| r || /ɻ ~ ɽ/
|-
| w || /ɰ<sup>β</sup> ~ w/
|-
| tw || /ʈɰ<sup>β</sup>/
|-
| dw || /ɖɰ<sup>β</sup>/
|-
| nw || /ɳɰ<sup>β</sup>/
|-
| - || Used following "h" to separate syllables.<br>Example: "uh-eh" is pronounced /u:i:/, "uheh" as /uħe:/ 
|}

In order to phonetically transcribe Sangheili, 343 Industries uses the following transliteration system:

===== Vowels and dipthgongs =====
* a e correspond to /ä/ and /e̞/ respectively. Both can correspond to /ə/ if the syllable is weakened.
* aa corresponds to /ɑ:/. Some speakers pronounce it as /ä:/ though.
* ae corresponds to /äə/ or /äe̞/ or /e̞:/. In the latter two cases it is not a diphthong.
* ah corresponds to /ɑ:/. Some speakers pronounce it as /ä:/ though.
* ai corresponds to /äɪ/ or /e̞ɪ/ but is usually pronounced /äɪ/.
* au corresponds to /äu/, /äɯ<sup>β</sup>/ or /äʊ/ depending on the speaker's preference.
* ay corresponds to /e̞ɪ/. When followed by a vowel it corresponds to /e̞j/. It may rarely be pronounced as /äj/ and not be a diphthong when y is part of a different syllable but that is unknown.
* eay corresponds to /ɪe̞ɪ/. In this case the diphthong is /e̞ɪ/ and /ɪ/ is syllabic.
* ee corresponds to /i:/ but can be pronounced as /ɪ:/ or /i~ɪ:/
* eh corresponds to /e̞:/
* ei corresponds to /e̞ɪ/ or /i:/ (rarely) depending on the speaker's preference.
* ey corresponds to /e̞ɪ/. When followed by a vowel it corresponds to /e̞j/.
* i corresponds to /ɪ/.
* ie corresponds to /äɪ/.
* o corresponds to /ɔ/ and /o̞/ depending on the speaker's preference. 
* oh corresponds to /ɔ:/ and /o̞:/ depending on the speaker's preference.
* oo corresponds to /u:/. Some speakers also pronounce it as /ɯ<sup>β</sup>:/ or /o:/.
* ou corresponds to /ou/, /oɯ<sup>β</sup>/, /oʊ/, /o̞u/, /o̞ɯ<sup>β</sup>/ or /o̞ʊ/ depending on the speaker's preference.
* oy corresponds to /ɔɪ/ or /o̞ɪ/ depending on the speaker's preference. When followed by a vowel it corresponds to /ɔj/ and /o̞j/ respectively.
* u corresponds to /u/. Some speakers might also pronounce it as /ɯ<sup>β</sup>/ or /ʊ/.
* uh corresponds to /u:/. Some speakers might pronounce it as /ɯ<sup>β</sup>:/.
* uu corresponds to /u:/. Some speakers might also pronounce it as /ɯ<sup>β</sup>:/.
* y corresponds to /j/ when it is between two vowels, or at the beginning of a word. When it is at the end of a word or before a consonant or after any consonant except nn it corresponds to /ɪ/.

===== Consonants =====
* m corresponds to /ɱ/.
* n corresponds to /ɳ/. When n is followed or preceded by the uvular consonants /q/ and /ɢ/ it corresponds to /ɴ/ and when followed by any labiodental consonant ( /ɱ/, /b̪/, /p̪/, /f/, /ʋ/) it corresponds to /ɳ<sup>ɱ</sup>/ or /ɳ~ɱ/.
* nn corresponds to /ɳ:/. When n is followed by the uvular consonants /q/ and /ɢ/ it corresponds to /ɴ:/ or /ɳɴ/ or /ɳ:/ and when followed by any labiodental consonant ( /ɱ/, /b̪/, /p̪/, /f/, /ʋ/) it corresponds to /ɱ:/ or /ɳɱ/ or /ɳ:/. 
* v corresponds to /ʋ/.
* l corresponds to /ɺ<sup>ɽ</sup>~ɭ/. It can sometimes be pronounced as ɭ or ɺ<sup>ɽ</sup> ɺ<sup>ɽ</sup> by the same speaker due to phonological reasons. Most of the times though l is pronounced identically to r.
* p corresponds to /p̪/.
* t corresponds to /ʈ/.
* k corresponds to /q/ or /k~q/, but is pronounced as /q<sup>j</sup>/ when followed by /i/ or /e̞/.
* ' corresponds to /ʔ/
* b corresponds to /b̪/
* d corresponds to /ɖ/.
* g corresponds to /ɢ/or /g~ɢ/, but is pronounced as /ɢ<sup>j</sup>/ or /g~ɢ<sup>j</sup>/ when followed by /i/ or /e̞/.
* gh corresponds to /ɢ/ or /ɢ<sup>h</sup>/ depending on the speaker's preference. When followed by e (thus forming ghee) the resulting sounds will be /ɢ<sup>j</sup>e̞:/ and /ɢ<sup>h</sup>e̞:/. When followed by ei (thus forming ghei) the resulting sounds will be /ɢ<sup>j</sup>e̞ɪ/, /ɢ<sup>h</sup>e̞ɪ/, /ɢ<sup>j</sup>i:/ and /ɢ<sup>h</sup>e:/.
* f corresponds to /f/
* s corresponds to /s/.
* sh corresponds to /ʂ/, but can be pronounced as /ɕ/ when found before /i/.
* h corresponds to /ħ/, but is pronounced as /ħ<sup>j</sup>/ when followed by /i/.
* z corresponds to /z/.
* ts corresponds to /t͡s/.
* ch corresponds to /ʈ͡ʂ/, but can be pronounced as /ʈ͡ɕ/ when found before /i/.
* j corresponds to /ɖ͡ʐ/, but can be pronounced as /ɖ͡ʑ/ when found before /i/. The sounds /ɖ͡ʐ/ and /ɖ͡ʑ/ can be pronounced as /ʐ/or /ɖ͡ʐ~ʐ/ and /ʑ/ or /ɖ͡ʑ~ʑ/, respectively.
* r corresponds to /ɻ/ and /ɽ/ depending on the speaker's preference.
* w corresponds to /ɰ<sup>β</sup>/. Sometimes some speakers can pronounce it as /w/.
* tw_, dw_, nw_ correspond to /ʈɰ<sup>β</sup>/, /ɖɰ<sup>β</sup>/ and /ɳɰ<sup>β</sup>/, respectively. The symbol [_] represents any vowel. 
* - is used after h to eliminate confusion by separating syllables. For instance is pronounced as uh-eh as /u:i:/ while uheh as /uħe:/

==Vocabulary==
Note: All words in the following list should not be pronounced as if they were English. Please refer to the phonetic transcription system above.

Ancient words, names, and words of extinct or other Sangheili languages.
{{scrollbox|
:'''Unggoy''' - Grunt
:'''Kig-Yar''' - Jackal
:'''Sangheili''' - Elite
:'''Yanme'e''' - Drone
:'''Jiralhanae''' - Brute
:'''Lekgolo''' - Hunter
:'''San'Shyuum''' - Prophet
:'''Huragok''' - Engineer (taken from the Forerunner name "Huragok")
:'''Fohranah/Fohran''' - Forerunner
:'''Neru Pe 'Odosima''' - [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]]{{Ref/Novel|Id=Gla3|Gla|Chapter=3}}
:'''A'ul''' - Lump of wood<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 24''</ref>
:'''Kel''' - Light (that dances on the waves){{Ref/Novel|Id=SoI|SoI}}
:'''Silket''' - Spear{{Ref/Reuse|SoI}}
:'''Laqil''' - [[New Llanelli]]{{Ref/Novel|Gla|Chapter=12}}
:'''Sqala''' - [[Venezia]]{{Ref/Novel|Gla|Chapter=11}}
:'''[[Quillick]]''' - Small hunter{{Ref/Reuse|BC1}}
:'''[[QezoY'asabu]]''' - Obsidian Wing{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/banshee|Site=Halo Waypoint|Section=Universe, Vehicle|Page=Banshee|D=6|M=6|Y=2015}}
:'''Dohmayinn''' - Domain
:'''Leevrukah''' - [[Guardian]]{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}{{Ref/Audio|HtT|Episode 04: Jackals}}
:'''Wort''' - Go
:'''[[Nishum]]''' - Intestinal parasite; a common insult towards humans<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 79''</ref>
:'''Jir'a'ul''' - Lump of wood; a common insult towards Jiralhanae
:'''Rakoi''' - [[Carrow]]{{Ref/Novel|Id=Map|Env|Detail=[[Carrow]] map}}
:'''Saban'amnsir''' - Red Fang{{Ref/Site|Id=CF100|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/sweet-centennial|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Sweet Centennial|D=24|M=02|Y=2018}}
:'''Nalsaban''' - Crimson{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Vertical Umbrage}}
:'''rwr'u a'uamr'ep''' - Cube gambit (Sangheili term for the human game "[[liar's dice]]"){{Ref/Site|Id=CF156|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-fleetcom-fiction|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Fleetcom Fiction|D=14|M=8|Y=2024|LocalArchive=Armory Infinitum#Pinpoint Needler}}
:'''Sovolanu''' - [[Reach]]{{Ref/Novel|Id=HVS|Halo: Venezian Sonata}}
:'''Qab''' - [[Orso system]]
}}

Modern words with known or assumed meanings based on context.
{{scrollbox|
:'''Sangayri''' - Sangheili
:'''Kigyaa''' - Kig-Yar
:'''[[Kaidon|Kaydon]]''' - Clan leader{{Ref/Novel|Id=Cole|TCP}}
:'''[[Ossoona]]''' - Eye of the Prophet{{Ref/Novel|HTF|Chapter=1}}
:'''Dohmoh'Eenngahnehnn''' - [[Human]]{{Ref/Game|Id=H4T1|H4|H4:Terminals|Terminal 1}}{{Ref/Note|Id=phonetic|This is a phonetic spelling. The proper rendering has not been confirmed in canon.}}
:'''Dohmoh''' - Human{{Ref/Reuse|H4T1}}{{Ref/Note|Id=phonetic|This is a phonetic spelling. The proper rendering has not been confirmed in canon.}}
:'''Eenngahnehnn''' - Human{{Ref/Reuse|H4T1}}{{Ref/Note|Id=phonetic|This is a phonetic spelling. The proper rendering has not been confirmed in canon.}}
:'''Eenngaynehnn''' - Human{{Ref/Reuse|Ops}}{{Ref/Note|Id=phonetic|This is a phonetic spelling. The proper rendering has not been confirmed in canon.}}
:'''Oochahns''' - [[Shipmaster]]{{Ref/Reuse|H4T1}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Chohkah''' - Shipmaster {{Ref/Reuse|Ops}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Rutah-shiboh''' - Shipmaster?{{Ref/Reuse|Catherine}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Jeeneh''' - Soul{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Nou''' - Cognate with English "no", as a negative response{{Ref/Reuse|H4T1}}
:'''Ey''' - Cognate with English "''No''" and "''not'',{{Ref/Reuse|H4T1}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}{{Ref/SpOps|Id=Catherine|Catherine}} also used as an interjection{{Ref/Film|Id=FUD|Film=Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn}}
:'''Eedah-yook/eedah-ookoh/eedook-yoo''' - Brother{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Ehnteh-yookoh''' - Loyal friend{{Ref/Reuse|H4T1}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Me-hoh''' - refers to a group in which the speaker is a part of.{{Ref/Reuse|H4T1}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Tahshee''' - refers to a third group, which the speaker is not part of. Also means different.{{Ref/Reuse|H4T1}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Kuhtahshee''' - refers to something that is very different, like an alien or in some cases human.{{Ref/Reuse|H4T1}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Kohyahkuhmoh''' - Vector{{Ref/Reuse|H4T1}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Mahgahchee''' - Approach{{Ref/Reuse|H4T1}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Eennah''' - Like/who/whoever Meaning varies significantly depending on context.{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Reh''' - make/made{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Deedah''' - gift {{Ref/Reuse|Catherine}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Kooay''' - Bring (command form){{Ref/Reuse|Catherine}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Musuyano''' - Rest/Remains/Remnant
:'''gahkaboonoh''' - travel/go at
:'''Gah''' - It, this, He, him
:'''Woh''' - He, him
:'''Jah''' - I, me, we
:'''Wah''' - You (2nd person)
:'''Nohkoh''' - Keep (verb,command form)
:'''Se''' - away from/from {{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Rugee-ee''' - Rise (command form){{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Runah-udoh''' - Progress{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Eedahyoh-ahyoh''' - After him (command form){{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Jahn-rayn-chay''' - Intruder{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Rohyahyah''' - Faster (command form){{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Gah raykoh''' - This is{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Kahnoh''' - Treasure{{Ref/Reuse|H4T1}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Ree-oh''' - will/will be, ~is, are{{Ref/Reuse|H4T1}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Cheennsay''' - Warrior{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Cheenoh''' - Life{{Ref/Reuse|Catherine}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Keeoh-eesay''' - Death{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Geeoh neechuh''' - Forever vigilant{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Sunaion''' - Westward temple of the sea
:'''Igzuk''' - An insulting descriptor of some kind.{{Ref/Novel|Oblv|Chapter=18}}
}}

==Transliterated Sangheili==
—Nnse-kooree-koocha nee-ey-mawoo.

Dieduckt gahkaboonoh Liebuh-Rahrian musuyano. Kaboonzaywah wohchitah kneekohsoh woorumahtwo.

Nntahbonwon sayoh.
Gah-eymayoh Reecleymah toymeh-ushou zosuerohkoh!

Nnkahchee kahnohmoh keenoh ruh-ehnahsheewah cheeruh-eh tayruh-ah. Wahshahteh rohneeahkeh nohkoh wahnahkohroh neeoh-yohnoh sahgahkay. Tahgee wahkeetoh ruhnehdah-ee nnkah-ee tahgee tahruh-yah. Promethean wahzeguhkah kahjee mah.

Neetohmoh neekohnoh.

Cheenoh-ee. Keeoh-eesay. Geeohneechuh.

Cheennsay rehmah-oh. Cheennsay nnteh-hahdeh.

Kaidon sohruh kaysuhtah.

Neeshoh eesah Aabeetah tay shee shoh hyuhmahnn. 'Mdama wooeeee kehnndoh. 

Nnrah kahwah ahkeeteh yoh-uh yoh-uh.

Sheennshee roh-ehtahmahnay. Kraken bayoh-hoh.

Promethean ee-hahshee-hoo 'Mdama eerayrah cheennshee. Wahrahtsuah uhtohkah nohkoh eekahtahtah rohkehmah.

Ruhnahshuh ee-hah sheewoo Sangheili ruh-ahnee. Prophet ruh-ah-ee.

Suhrahnahkah sohkuhfoo sohruhsuh.

Gay uhsoh. 'Mdama zurahnahkahgah zohkuh-oh beechee.

Nn-ee eeseh kaysah. 

Nn-nee nnseh shuhkohroh.

Didact sah-ee nay.—

==Non-native speakers of Sangheili==
Several species, including [[human]]s,{{Ref/Novel|Id=Gla1|Gla|Chapter=1}} [[Mgalekgolo]],{{Ref/Film|Film=Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn}} [[Unggoy]],{{Ref/Game|H4|gameplay}} and [[Kig-Yar]]<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''' ''page 92''</ref> are able to speak Sangheili. Not all races can speak the same language due to evolutionary design restrictions; for example, the [[Yanme'e]] could only communicate through a cacophony of high-pitched clicks and screeches.{{Ref/Novel|CH|Chapter=18}}{{Ref/Book|Id=ENC|Enc09|Page=148-149}} To facilitate easier communications between member species, [[translation software]] is used on Covenant ships to decipher words.{{Ref/Reuse|BC21}} During and after the [[Human-Covenant War]], several humans were able to understand Sangheili:
*[[Catherine Halsey]]{{Ref/SpOps|Expendable}}
*[[Evan Phillips]]{{Ref/Reuse|Gla1}}
*[[Luther Mann]]{{Ref/Reuse|hitd}}
*[[Melody Azikiwe]]
*[[Mike Spenser]]<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 394''</ref>
*[[Olympia Vale]]{{Ref/Novel|Id=hitd|HitD}}
*[[Jacob Keyes]]{{Ref/Level|CE|The Truth and Reconciliation}}
{{Clear}}

==Symbol types==
There are four known written types of the Sangheili language.

===Triangle type (original cipher)===
This triangle variant of the written language has a few key features. They are a big triangle surrounded by numerous smaller triangles. These smaller triangles are known to be closer to the corners of the bigger triangle, and can either be floating above the corner, or very close to it. The direction of the bigger triangle is not set, leading to there being numerous possibilities to what one symbol could mean. The bigger triangle is also known to have semi-circles cut out of the middle of its sides, sometimes filled with circles. Sometimes the triangles points are not there and are replaced by a circle. Sometimes rectangles are involved in