Dothraki Tattoo Phrases: Warrior Words Worth Wearing

Dothraki Tattoo Phrases: Warrior Words Worth Wearing

Dothraki carries a warrior's philosophy that resonates well beyond Game of Thrones fandom. Phrases about strength, freedom, loyalty, and the pursuit of one's enemies speak to something universal — which is why Dothraki makes compelling tattoo material. Here are the most meaningful options, with accurate translations and guidance on getting them right.

Important: Dothraki Has No Official Script

Before choosing a Dothraki tattoo, understand this: unlike Elvish (which has Tengwar calligraphy) or Klingon (which has the pIqaD alphabet), Dothraki does not have a canonical writing system. The language was created for spoken television dialogue.

For Dothraki tattoos, your options are:

1. Romanized text — Dothraki written in the Latin alphabet as David J. Peterson designed it
2. Custom script — many tattoo artists have created beautiful decorative scripts for Dothraki text, but these are artistic inventions, not canonical
3. Transliteration into another script — some fans use Arabic or runic scripts for visual texture, though this is further from canonical

Choose your approach before selecting a phrase, as this affects how the tattoo is designed.

The Best Dothraki Tattoo Phrases

Anha zhilak yera

"I love you."

From zhilak (to love) + yera (you, accusative). Perhaps the most intimate phrase in Dothraki — the language of the most famous fictional love story in the show. Perfect for a tribute to a partner or someone deeply important.

Fonas chek

"Hunt well."

The standard Dothraki farewell, wishing success in whatever pursuit is ahead. Simple, elegant, and culturally complete. Works beautifully as a minimalist tattoo.

Hash yer dothrae chek

"Are you riding well?"

More than a question — a philosophy. The Dothraki orientation toward life is captured in this phrase: everything is about the ride, the quality of forward motion through life. As a tattoo, it asks the question you should always be asking yourself.

Me nem nesa

"It is known."

A declaration of certainty and shared truth. For someone who lives by strong convictions — this is them, this is fact, this was always going to be. Clean, brief, powerful.

Jalan atthirari anni

"Moon of my life."

Khal Drogo's term of endearment for Daenerys. Deeply romantic, evocative of the open sky, and linguistically beautiful in its construction. The counter-phrase, shekh ma shieraki anni ("my sun and stars"), is equally resonant.

Dothras chek

"Ride well."

The imperative farewell version — an active command/wish rather than a question. "Go forward. Ride well." A personal motto as a tattoo.

Getting Verification

Tattoos are permanent. Before your appointment:

1. Post your phrase on r/DothrakiLanguage with a request for verification
2. Cross-check with Peterson's book The Language of the Dothraki
3. Search previous posts — many common phrases have already been verified multiple times

The Dothraki fan community is knowledgeable and happy to help with accuracy. Taking the extra time is worth it.

Learn the Language Behind Your Ink

There's a different relationship with a tattoo when you understand the grammar. Knowing that zhilak is the verb, anha is the subject, and yera is you-in-the-accusative-case turns a phrase into a window into a language.

Start learning Dothraki properly at learningelvish.com.

Related Reading

• Dothraki Greetings and Phrases from Game of Thrones
• Dothraki Insults: How Warriors Demean Their Enemies
• Dothraki Phrases for Love and Loyalty

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