Hello, I'm rewatching LotR and I was wondering what phrases would one say to flirt in the dwarf language with Men?
"I would share the last piece of my bread with you"
"All my stones/metal are yours to hold"
If this would pass as a flirt line, how would it be like translated?
Thank you and sorry to bother you!
Ah, a delightful question — and certainly not a bother at all. On the contrary, it’s one of those charming topics that allow us to explore both the language and the culture of the Dwarves.
Let's dive in. Firstly though...
🪓 Would Dwarves Flirt the Same Way?
The short answer: not quite.
Dwarves are famously private and reserved folk, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Flirtation, as we might know it among Hobbits, Men or even Elves — with flowery compliments and bold declarations — is unlikely to be common in Dwarvish culture.
If we look at Tolkien’s inspirations for the Dwarves (namely Old Norse and Hebraic cultures), we find that expressions of affection are often subtle, practical, and rooted in acts of service or shared prosperity, rather than open praise of beauty or lofty romantic declarations.
A beautiful real-world example comes from an Old Swedish runic inscription on the stone found at the estate of Hassmyra, in Fläckebo parish, Västmanland, raised in memory of a man’s deceased wife. Part of the inscription reads:
“Never will come
to Hasvimyra
a better mistress
to manage the house.”
It is an expression of love and respect, not through flowery praise of appearance, but through admiration of skill, shared labour, and the life they built together. Such heartfelt and practical sentiments feel very Dwarvish indeed.
Similarly, in Hebraic tradition, the concept of Yichud encapsulates this beautifully. Yichud — meaning “together, alone, with no one else present” — refers to the privacy and sanctity of the bond between two people. In fact, "Ahavah," the more common Hebrew term for love, is often used in the Torah to refer not to romantic affection, but to friendship, loyalty, and familial devotion.
Even David, in mourning Jonathan, said:
“Wonderful was thy love for me, passing the love of women.” (II Samuel 1:26)
In both these cultures, we see love expressed not in boastful declarations, but in quiet moments of unity, shared burdens, and loyal companionship. And if love is customarily expressed this way, why should flirting be any different?
A Dwarf, rather than saying “Your eyes are like stars”, might say:
“Your work shines bright in my hall.”
Or, as you so well suggested:
“I would share my last bread with you.”
Such gestures, grounded in generosity, loyalty, and the sharing of crafted goods or hard-earned wealth, feel far more natural to a Dwarven suitor.
🧝♀️ A Note on Dwarf-Non-Dwarf Relations
Now, this deserves a special mention.
While The Hobbit films openly flirted with the idea of Dwarf-Elf romance, this would be extremely unlikely within Tolkien's Middle Earth and the Dwarvish culture. Dwarves are deeply insular and loyal to their own kind — they would not look outside their kin to find their partner.
Two important points on this:
Dwarves would not naturally find non-Dwarves attractive. Their standards of beauty are very much rooted in their own culture — resilience, craftsmanship, endurance, and the beauty of their own people. Not to mention the lack of beards in many other races would be a major issue.
Cultural taboos would strongly discourage cross-species unions. The notion of a Dwarf marrying an Elf or a Man would be not only rare but almost unthinkable, and very likely not be accepted culturally.
Gimli’s famous admiration for Galadriel is often cited as a counterexample. But this deserves closer inspection.
Rather than romantic love, Gimli’s reverence mirrors something quite different — an almost sacred admiration, akin to the veneration of saints. Tolkien, a devout Catholic, infused his work with reflections of his faith. Galadriel, in many ways, is constructed as a saintly figure: her beauty, power, and grace possess unmistakably Marian qualities.
Tolkien scholars have observed this parallel too. Though Galadriel is not an exact replica of the Virgin Mary in Middle-earth, she embodies elements of saintliness and purity, especially in Tolkien’s later writings. In Letter 353, Tolkien even acknowledges how some readers, like his proofreader Father Robert Murray, S.J., perceived Galadriel in these terms — and this perception may well have shaped Tolkien’s evolving depiction of her. Initially seen as a flawed, repentant character who fell into pride at the Kinslaying, Tolkien later elevated Galadriel to an almost unstained figure: a guiding light for others, not unlike the role of Mary in Christian tradition.
In this way, Tolkien crafts Galadriel’s image to inspire reverence, not romantic desire. Thus, Gimli’s feelings toward Galadriel are not of worldly love, but of deep respect, awe, and devotion to an ideal of beauty and wisdom. His gift-request — “a single strand of her hair” — is not the plea of a suitor, but rather, the respectful homage of a craftsman to a paragon of light. It is admiration, not courtship.
In short: a Dwarf may admire the skill or grace of another race, but when it comes to lifelong partnership, their loyalty and affection remain firmly within their own halls.
🧱 Some Dwarvish Flirtation Lines
That said, within their own circles, here’s a small collection of lines a Dwarf might use to express interest (in the below examples, directed at a female individual) — short, sincere, and true to their culture:
Zâskhari yazi karfu hamdê nutut.
(“I would share the last piece of my bread with you.”)
Sullu 'abbanê ra ritîhê tâtîn azi d' akhlut.
(“All my stones and metals are yours to hold.”)
Zasamkhihiya gâra 'unsasul undu markhê.
(“You’d find no safer shelter than beneath my shield.”)
Ni zinanîn, zâthrigi rathkh-kheledulkhud khamazi.
(“In the dark places, I would carry a lantern for you.”)
Sâti azafr sanzigil: hudukh ra binhulk.
(“You are like mithril: rare and without equal.”)
💡 A Cultural Note: Actions Over Words
It’s also worth noting that for Dwarves, actions often speak louder than words. While such phrases certainly would exist, a Dwarf might more likely show affection by:
Gifting a finely crafted token (even a simple one, like a clasp or brooch)
Offering aid in tasks or protection
Forging something by their own hand specifically for the person they care about
The spoken word is secondary to deeds — but still, a well-placed compliment never hurts!
Ever at your service (and happily the scholar, not the suitor),
The Dwarrow Scholar
