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-chu' clearly, perfectly
This Type 6 verb suffix is used to describe an action which is conducted perfectly, or demonstrates a quality in an exemplary manner.
| jaghpu' tojchu'ta' tlhIngan ra'wI' | The Klingon Commander fooled the enemies perfectly |
| tayqeqDaj ghobmey 'oSchu' | He exemplifies his culture's virtues |
| Dochvetlh Data'chu'ta' | You did that perfectly |
| jIyajchu' | I clearly understand. |
| yajchu''a' | Does she understand clearly? |
| DapoHchu'ta' | You timed it perfectly |
-chu' versus -qu'
The Type 6 suffix -chu' and the emphatic rover suffix -qu' seem to have a similar function. Similar, but not identical.Whereas -chu' indicates that an action is being performed perfectly or flawlessly, -qu' has the effect of emphasising the property, quality or activity being conducted - whether it is exemplary or not.
An example could be something very bright (wovqu') as against something shining clearly (wovchu') - the former could be shining through smoke, visible but obscured; the latter could be shining clearly through any obscuring smoke.
Another way of thinking of the difference is that something does not need to be loud to be clear: chut maqqu' noHwI' The Judge proclaims the law could mean that he is delivering his words with emphasis, perhaps beating a sparking steel ball on a stone, but chut maqchu' noHwI' The Judge proclaims the law could indicate that the Judge is delivering a proclamation in such a way that the wording is clear, distinctive and absolutely unequivocal, even if the Judge is unable to speak more loudly than a hoarse whisper.
| pIvchu' | He is perfectly healthy |
| pIvqu' | He is very healthy |
| Doqqu' | It is very red |
| Doqchu' | It is a perfect shade of red |
| qama' jonchu' | She captured the prisoner flawlessly |
| paQDI'norgh vIyajchu' | I understand the teachings clearly |
| yIjatlhchu' | Speak clearly! |
| jatlhchu' 'ach 'Ijchu'be' | She is good at talking ... not so good at listening |
| qaQoychu' | I hear you perfectly |
| qaQochbe'chu' | I agree with you totally |
-chu' is also used to describe a combat action or challenge which, in this specific context, means to the death.
| Qojchu' | They fight a war without quarter |
| DaH DIHIvchu'nIS | We must attack them now, and show no mercy |
| peSuvchuqchu' | Fight (one another to the death!) |
| jagh QIDchu'ta' SuvwI' | The warrior fatally wounded the enemy |
| DaqIpchu' | You hit him hard (fatally) |
Sometimes, the two suffixes can be combined to indicate a most decisive action, carried out not only flawlessly but emphatically flawlessly - an action conducted in an exemplary manner.
To indicate this, the suffixes must be used in the order -chu'qu', with -qu' always placed immediately behind -chu' to emphasise the perfection of the action or quality.
| jaj qeylIS molor mIgh Hohchu'qu' | The day Kahless slew the evil Molor |
| jajvetlh batlh maHeghchu'qu' | On that day, we shall perish honourably |
| SuSuvchu'qu'ta' | You fought in an exemplary manner |
| Qubchu'qu' tej | The scientist thought flawlessly |
Next: -law' uncertainty.
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