How to Say Thank You in High Valyrian
The High Valyrian word for “thank you” is kirimvose (pronounced kih-rim-VOH-seh). It is the standard, polite way to express gratitude in the language David J. Peterson created for Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, and it works in every situation, from thanking a friend to addressing someone with full formality.
If you only learn one polite phrase in High Valyrian, make it this one. Below you will find the pronunciation broken down syllable by syllable, what the word literally means (it is more poetic than you might expect), a shorter casual form, and several example sentences you can start using right away.
How to Pronounce Kirimvose
Kirimvose has four syllables: ki-rim-vo-se. According to Peterson’s own pronunciation notes, the stress falls on the second “i” (the “rim” syllable), and the “r” is rolled, the way it is in Spanish or Italian.
Say it like this: kih-rim-VOH-seh.
Practice tips:
- Keep every vowel short and crisp. Do not stretch the “o” into “ohhh”.
- Roll the “r” lightly if you can. If you cannot roll your r’s yet, a quick tapped “r” still sounds close enough for everyday use.
- Say it at a natural speaking pace. Beginners often slow down so much that the word falls apart into separate pieces. Ki-rim-vo-se should flow as one smooth word.
There is also a shorter form, kirimvos (kih-rim-VOHS), which simply drops the final “e”. Think of it as the difference between “thank you” and “thanks”. Use kirimvose when you want to sound polite and complete, and kirimvos when you are speaking quickly or casually.
What Kirimvose Literally Means
Here is the part language lovers will enjoy. Kirimvose is not a standalone root word. It comes from kirimves, the High Valyrian noun for “happiness” or “joy”. The ending turns it into an instrumental form, so kirimvose literally means “with joy”.
In other words, when you say “thank you” in High Valyrian, you are really saying something like “with joy” or “joyfully”. Gratitude in Valyrian culture is framed as an act done in happiness, which tells you something lovely about how the Old Valyrians thought about kindness. It also connects to the related adjective kirine, meaning “happy” or “glad”.
This kind of hidden poetry is everywhere in Peterson’s work. If you enjoyed this breakdown, you will love our guide to Valar Dohaeris and what it really means, which hides a similar surprise in its grammar.
Example Sentences: Thank You in High Valyrian
These sentences use only documented High Valyrian vocabulary, so you can trust every word.
Kirimvose! Thank you!
Issa, kirimvose! Yes, thank you!
Syz iksan, kirimvose. I am good, thank you.
Kirimvose daor. No thank you. (A polite refusal, literally “thank you, no”.)
Kirimvos! Thanks! (The shorter, casual form.)
Try saying each one out loud. Notice how the stress stays on “rim” every time, which keeps the rhythm of the language consistent even as the sentence around the word changes.
When to Use Kirimvose (and When to Use Kirimvos)
High Valyrian does not have separate formal and informal pronouns the way French does with “tu” and “vous”, at least not in the documented vocabulary for gratitude. Instead, the choice is about length and tone:
- Kirimvose: the full, polite form. Use it with strangers, elders, or anyone you want to show respect to. This is the safest default.
- Kirimvos: the clipped form. Use it with friends, in quick exchanges, or when you are repeating thanks several times in a row.
A useful pair to learn alongside “thank you” is kostilus, which means “please”. “Please” and “thank you” together cover most polite situations a traveler, or a fan at a convention, will ever need.
And if someone thanks you first, the correct reply is biarvose (bee-ahr-VOH-seh), which means “you’re welcome”. There is a shorter form of that too, biarvos, following the same pattern as kirimvose and kirimvos.
A Note on Valyrian Gratitude in the Shows
Unlike famous phrases such as “Valar morghulis”, kirimvose was never a centerpiece line in Game of Thrones. It belongs to the everyday vocabulary Peterson built out for the language, the kind of word that lives in the Duolingo High Valyrian course and in his published language materials rather than in a single dramatic scene.
That actually makes it more useful. Show-stopping quotes are fun, but a language is really learned through its ordinary words: yes, no, please, thank you. Think of the scenes where Missandei translates Daenerys’s Valyrian for the masters of Slaver’s Bay. The power in those moments comes from Daenerys commanding a real, complete language, and kirimvose is part of the everyday machinery that makes that language feel alive.
If you are building your first Valyrian vocabulary list, pair this article with our guide on how to say “I love you” in High Valyrian. Gratitude and affection are the two phrases every learner reaches for first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say thank you in High Valyrian?
Say kirimvose (kih-rim-VOH-seh). It is the standard, polite word for “thank you” in High Valyrian, documented in David J. Peterson’s official language materials.
Is there a shorter way to say thanks in High Valyrian?
Yes. Kirimvos (kih-rim-VOHS) is the shortened, casual form, similar to saying “thanks” instead of “thank you” in English.
How do you say “you’re welcome” in High Valyrian?
Say biarvose (bee-ahr-VOH-seh). Like kirimvose, it has a shorter form: biarvos.
What does kirimvose literally mean?
It literally means “with joy”, built from kirimves (“happiness, joy”). Saying thank you in High Valyrian is poetically framed as an act done in happiness.
Keep Learning
Gratitude is only the beginning. Once kirimvose feels natural, learn how to greet people with our guide to how to say hello in High Valyrian, or browse dragon lore in our breakdown of High Valyrian dragon names and their meanings. And when you are ready to build your own sentences, try everything out in our free High Valyrian translator.
You can also browse the full collection of High Valyrian phrases or look up any single word in the High Valyrian dictionary.
Kirimvose is just one phrase — 180+ more, with pronunciation and grammar, are inside the complete phrasebook.