-laH - The Suffix Of Ability

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Previously, you learned that there are two Type 5 verb suffixes, and only two. You learned of the first Type 5 suffix, -lu' indefinite subject. Now it is time to learn of the other Type 5 suffix - a suffix which has absolutely nothing in common with -lu', apart from the fact that it is a Type 5 suffix, which means you can never append -lu' and -laH to the same verb.

-laH can, able

When you want to express that you can do something - that you have the capability to do the verb stated - you can use the other Type 5 suffix, -laH can, able.

jISop	I eat
tlhIngan Soj vISoplaH	I can eat Klingon food
tlhInganpu' DISuv	We fight Klingons
tlhInganpu' DISuvlaHbe'	We cannot fight Klingons
DIHIvlaHtaHvIS DaH DIHIvnIS	We must attack them now, while we still can/ (from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)
qaStaHvIS wa'ram loS SaD Hugh SIjlaH qetbogh loD	Four thousand throats can be slit in one night, by a running man /(Famous Klingon proverb)
loghDaq bIjachDI' DuQoylaH pagh	In space, no-one can hear you scream
yuch vISoplaH'a'	Can I have chocolate?/ (as in "Would it kill me if I tried to eat it?")
qaja'laHbe'	I cannot tell you/ (e.g. because I have been ordered not to)
qajanglaHbe'	I cannot tell you/ (I cannot reply, e.g. because I do not know the answer)
tlhIngan Hol DajatlhlaHchugh, vaj SoHvaD lojmItmey law' poSmoHlu'	The ability to speak Klingon opens many doors for you

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