Which language is the Elvish tongue called Quenya in J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium?

The story behind the answer

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium, Quenya is a High Elvish language.

Tolkien constructed Quenya as one of the major languages of the Elves. Its name is often translated or described in connection with speech, and within the stories it is associated particularly with the Noldor and the cultural traditions of the Eldar. It was inspired in part by Finnish, although Tolkien developed its grammar, vocabulary, and history independently.

Quenya is not the same as Sindarin, another major Elvish language that became more widely spoken in parts of Middle-earth. Tolkien designed both languages with related historical development, much as real languages evolve from older forms.

The other options belong to different peoples or language traditions: Black Speech is associated with Mordor, Westron is the Common Speech, and Khuzdul is the secret language of the Dwarves.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

Add question to a list

Choose a list to keep this question in: