The Thu'um, or the Voice, remains the most iconic mechanic in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Even years after its initial release, mastering the ancient dragon tongue is essential for any playthrough, whether you are running a classic stealth archer or a heavy-armored battlemage. In Skyrim, a Shout (Thu'um) consists of three Words of Power. Collecting these words from Word Walls scattered across the province and unlocking them with Dragon Souls grants the Dragonborn god-like abilities.

This comprehensive list covers all 20 base game shouts and the 7 additional shouts introduced in the Dawnguard and Dragonborn DLCs. Each entry includes the dragon words, their translations, cooldown periods, and precise locations to help you complete your collection.

Core Mechanics of the Thu'um

Before diving into the list, it is important to understand how Shouts function in the current version of the game. A shout's potency typically increases with each word unlocked. Using only the first word results in a shorter cooldown but a weaker effect, while the full three-word shout delivers maximum impact at the cost of a significantly longer recharge time.

To unlock a shout after finding a Word Wall, you must slay a dragon and absorb its soul. In the magic menu, you can then spend one soul per word. Some shouts are scripted and granted automatically during the Main Quest, but the majority require exploration of ancient Nordic ruins and dragon lairs.

The Complete Base Game Shouts List

1. Animal Allegiance (Raan Mir Tah)

This shout calls upon the beasts of the wild to fight by your side. It is particularly useful in the early game when encountering bears or sabre cats.

  • Words: Raan (Animal) / Mir (Allegiance) / Tah (Pack)
  • Cooldown: 50 / 60 / 70 seconds
  • Locations: Angarvunde (The Rift), Ancient's Ascent (Falkreath Hold), and Ysgramor's Tomb (Winterhold).

2. Aura Whisper (Laas Ya Nir)

Unlike most shouts, this is a silent whisper that reveals the life force of all entities—living, undead, or mechanical—through walls. It is the ultimate tool for stealth-focused characters.

  • Words: Laas (Life) / Ya (Seek) / Nir (Hunt)
  • Cooldown: 30 / 40 / 50 seconds
  • Locations: Northwind Summit (The Rift), Valthume (The Reach), and Volunruud (The Pale).

3. Become Ethereal (Feim Zii Gron)

One of the most versatile utility shouts. It turns you into a ghost-like form, making you immune to all damage, including fall damage. Note that performing any offensive action will break the effect.

  • Words: Feim (Fade) / Zii (Spirit) / Gron (Bind)
  • Cooldown: 20 / 30 / 40 seconds
  • Locations: Ironbind Barrow (Winterhold), Lost Valley Redoubt (The Reach), and Ustengrav (Hjaalmarch - during "The Horn of Jurgen Windcaller").

4. Call Dragon (Od Ah Viing)

This shout is unique as it summons a specific ally, Odahviing, to provide aerial support. It can only be used outdoors and is unlocked during the main questline.

  • Words: Od (Snow) / Ah (Hunter) / Viing (Wing)
  • Cooldown: 5 / 5 / 300 seconds
  • Location: Learned automatically during the quest "The Fallen."

5. Call of Valor (Hun Kaal Zoor)

Summons a hero from Sovngarde to fight for you. Depending on the words used, you summon Gormlaith Golden-Hilt, Felldir the Old, or Hakon One-Eye.

  • Words: Hun (Hero) / Kaal (Champion) / Zoor (Legend)
  • Cooldown: 180 / 180 / 180 seconds
  • Location: Rewarded after completing the Main Quest "Dragonslayer."

6. Clear Skies (Lok Vah Koor)

Used primarily to clear fog, rain, or snow. In combat, it can stagger enemies briefly and has a very short cooldown, making it an underrated tactical tool.

  • Words: Lok (Sky) / Vah (Spring) / Koor (Summer)
  • Cooldown: 5 / 10 / 15 seconds
  • Location: Granted by the Greybeards at High Hrothgar before ascending to the Throat of the World.

7. Disarm (Zun Haal Viik)

Rips the weapon out of an opponent's hand. This is highly effective against high-level draugr and humanoid bosses, though it fails against enemies above level 30.

  • Words: Zun (Weapon) / Haal (Hand) / Viik (Defeat)
  • Cooldown: 30 / 35 / 40 seconds
  • Locations: Eldersblood Peak (Hjaalmarch), Silverdrift Lair (The Pale), and Snow Veil Sanctum (Winterhold).

8. Dismay (Faas Ru Maar)

Causes enemies to flee in terror. It provides breathing room when overwhelmed, though chasing down fleeing enemies can sometimes be tedious.

  • Words: Faas (Fear) / Ru (Run) / Maar (Terror)
  • Cooldown: 40 / 45 / 50 seconds
  • Locations: Dead Crone Rock (The Reach), Labyrinthian (Hjaalmarch), and Lost Tongue Overlook (The Rift).

9. Dragonrend (Joor Zah Frul)

Arguably the most important combat shout. It forces a dragon to land, stripping away its mobility and making melee combat possible.

  • Words: Joor (Mortal) / Zah (Finite) / Frul (Temporary)
  • Cooldown: 10 / 12 / 15 seconds
  • Location: Learned during the quest "Alduin's Bane" at the Throat of the World.

10. Elemental Fury (Su Grah Dun)

Significantly increases the speed of your weapon swings. Note that this shout does not work on enchanted weapons, making it the premier choice for physical weapon builds using Smithing.

  • Words: Su (Air) / Grah (Battle) / Dun (Grace)
  • Cooldown: 30 / 40 / 50 seconds
  • Locations: Dragontooth Crater (The Reach), Kilkreath Ruins (Haafingar), and Shriekwind Bastion (Falkreath Hold).

11. Fire Breath (Yol Toor Shul)

The classic offensive dragon shout. It deals direct fire damage and can be enhanced via the "Dragonborn Flame" ability from the Black Books.

  • Words: Yol (Fire) / Toor (Inferno) / Shul (Sun)
  • Cooldown: 30 / 50 / 100 seconds
  • Locations: Dustman's Cairn (The Whiterun Hold), Sunderstone Gorge (Falkreath Hold), and learned from Paarthurnax during the Main Quest.

12. Frost Breath (Fo Krah Diin)

The icy counterpart to Fire Breath. It slows enemies and deals frost damage. When paired with the "Dragonborn Frost" ability, it can freeze enemies solid in a block of ice.

  • Words: Fo (Frost) / Krah (Cold) / Diin (Freeze)
  • Cooldown: 30 / 50 / 100 seconds
  • Locations: Bonestrewn Crest (Eastmarch), Folgunthur (Hjaalmarch), and Skyborn Altar (Hjaalmarch).

13. Ice Form (Iiz Slen Nus)

Freezes an enemy solid, rendering them completely paralyzed for a duration. Any damage dealt will eventually break the ice, but it is excellent for crowd control.

  • Words: Iiz (Ice) / Slen (Flesh) / Nus (Statue)
  • Cooldown: 60 / 90 / 120 seconds
  • Locations: Frostmere Crypt (The Pale), Mount Anthor (Winterhold), and Saarthal (Winterhold).

14. Kyne's Peace (Kaan Drem Ov)

Calms wild animals, preventing them from attacking or fleeing. While similar to Animal Allegiance, this is more suited for pacifist or exploration-heavy playstyles.

  • Words: Kaan (Kyne) / Drem (Peace) / Ov (Trust)
  • Cooldown: 40 / 50 / 60 seconds
  • Locations: Fastred's Hideout (The Rift), Ragnvald (The Reach), and Shroud Hearth Barrow (The Rift).

15. Marked for Death (Krii Lun Aus)

Applies a permanent (in many versions of the game) armor reduction and health drain to the target. It is statistically one of the strongest shouts for taking down high-health bosses.

  • Words: Krii (Kill) / Lun (Leech) / Aus (Suffer)
  • Cooldown: 20 / 30 / 40 seconds
  • Locations: Autumnwatch Tower (The Rift), Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary (Falkreath Hold), and Forsaken Cave (The Pale).

16. Slow Time (Tiid Klo Ul)

The Dragonborn slows down the world while remaining at near-normal speed. This allows you to dodge arrows, navigate traps, and land dozens of hits before the enemy can react.

  • Words: Tiid (Time) / Klo (Sand) / Ul (Eternity)
  • Cooldown: 30 / 45 / 60 seconds
  • Locations: Hag's End (The Reach), Korvanjund (The Pale), and Labyrinthian (Hjaalmarch).

17. Storm Call (Strun Bah Qo)

Calls down a massive lightning storm that strikes enemies and allies alike. Because of its indiscriminate nature, it is best used when fighting alone outdoors.

  • Words: Strun (Storm) / Bah (Wrath) / Qo (Lightning)
  • Cooldown: 300 / 480 / 600 seconds
  • Locations: Forelhost (The Rift), High Gate Ruins (The Pale), and Skuldafn (Other Realm - reached during the Main Quest).

18. Throw Voice (Zul Mey Gut)

Used for distraction, this shout makes the voice appear to come from a distance, drawing enemies toward that location. Essential for a non-magical stealth build.

  • Words: Zul (Voice) / Mey (Fool) / Gut (Far)
  • Cooldown: 30 / 15 / 5 seconds (Note: Cooldown decreases with more words!)
  • Location: Shearpoint (The Pale - found at a dragon lair with a Dragon Priest).

19. Unrelenting Force (Fus Ro Dah)

The most famous shout. It staggers or flings enemies away. The third word is legendary for its ability to push enemies off cliffs.

  • Words: Fus (Force) / Ro (Balance) / Dah (Push)
  • Cooldown: 15 / 20 / 45 seconds
  • Locations: Bleak Falls Barrow (Whiterun Hold) and learned from the Greybeards during "The Way of the Voice."

20. Whirlwind Sprint (Wuld Nah Kest)

A rapid forward dash. It is used to cross large gaps, escape combat, or close the distance on archers and mages.

  • Words: Wuld (Whirlwind) / Nah (Fury) / Kest (Tempest)
  • Cooldown: 20 / 25 / 35 seconds
  • Locations: Dead Men's Respite (Hjaalmarch), Volskygge (Haafingar), and learned from the Greybeards.

Dawnguard DLC Shouts

The Dawnguard expansion adds three powerful shouts that focus on life-force manipulation and draconic summoning.

1. Drain Vitality (Gaan Lah Haas)

Drains health, magicka, and stamina from the target. Often confused with Marked for Death due to similar icons, but this is a faster-acting drain.

  • Words: Gaan (Stamina) / Lah (Magicka) / Haas (Health)
  • Cooldown: 30 / 60 / 90 seconds
  • Locations: Dimhollow Crypt (The Pale), Forgotten Vale (Haafingar), and Arcwind Point (The Rift).

2. Soul Tear (Rii Vaaz Zol)

Deals massive damage and traps the soul of the victim. If the target dies, they are resurrected as an undead thrall to fight for you.

  • Words: Rii (Essence) / Vaaz (Tear) / Zol (Zombie)
  • Cooldown: 5 / 5 / 90 seconds
  • Location: Learned from Durnehviir in the Soul Cairn after summoning him three times.

3. Summon Durnehviir (Dur Neh Viir)

Summons an undead dragon from the Soul Cairn to fight for you. He also summons his own undead minions during battle.

  • Words: Dur (Curse) / Neh (Never) / Viir (Dying)
  • Cooldown: 5 / 5 / 300 seconds
  • Location: Learned in the Soul Cairn during the Dawnguard questline.

Dragonborn DLC Shouts

Set on the island of Solstheim, the Dragonborn DLC introduces shouts that reflect the power of Hermaeus Mora and Miraak.

1. Battle Fury (Mid Vur Qaan)

Similar to Elemental Fury, but it affects your followers and allies instead of yourself. This is devastating for players who utilize multiple followers or summoned minions.

  • Words: Mid (Loyal) / Vur (Valor) / Qaan (Conquer)
  • Cooldown: 20 / 30 / 40 seconds
  • Location: Vahlok's Tomb (Solstheim).

2. Bend Will (Gol Hah Dov)

Allows you to control animals, people, and eventually dragons. The third word is required to ride dragons and engage in aerial combat.

  • Words: Gol (Earth) / Hah (Mind) / Dov (Dragon)
  • Cooldown: 10 / 90 / 120 seconds
  • Locations: Saering's Watch and granted by Hermaeus Mora during the Dragonborn main quest.

3. Cyclone (Ven Gaar Nos)

Creates a spinning vortex that launches enemies into the air. It deals significant damage and provides excellent crowd control compared to Unrelenting Force.

  • Words: Ven (Wind) / Gaar (Unleash) / Nos (Strike)
  • Cooldown: 30 / 45 / 60 seconds
  • Locations: Benkongerike, Kolbjorn Barrow, and White Ridge Barrow (all on Solstheim).

4. Dragon Aspect (Mul Qah Diiv)

Once per day, you can wrap yourself in draconic armor. This shout improves your armor rating, shout power, and resistance while also summoning an ancient Dragonborn hero when your health gets low.

  • Words: Mul (Strength) / Qah (Armor) / Diiv (Wyrm)
  • Cooldown: 5 / 5 / 5 seconds (Note: Useable only once per day.)
  • Locations: Raven Rock Mine, Temple of Miraak, and Apocrypha.

Optimizing Your Shout Usage

While collecting the shouts is half the battle, using them effectively in 2026 requires a bit of strategizing. In the Anniversary Edition, there are several ways to reduce shout cooldowns, which is often the biggest bottleneck for "Tongue" builds.

  • Amulet of Talos: Provides a 20% cooldown reduction. This is a staple for any Dragonborn.
  • Blessing of Talos: Found at shrines, this adds another 20% reduction for a limited time.
  • Dragon Aspect (Shout): Using the first word of this shout reduces other shout cooldowns by 20%.
  • Fortify Restoration Potions: While some historical glitches have been patched, high-level alchemy can still subtly influence the effectiveness of certain active effects related to shouts.

When choosing which shout to prioritize, consider your combat style. Melee fighters often benefit most from Elemental Fury or Slow Time. Pure mages can use Become Ethereal to safely charge master-level spells or Cyclone to keep enemies at a distance. If you are playing on Legendary difficulty, Marked for Death remains one of the few ways to effectively bypass the massive armor ratings of high-level bosses.

Word Wall Etiquette and Troubleshooting

Sometimes, players find that a Word Wall is "dead" (the chanting plays, but no word is learned). This is often due to script lag or conflicts. To avoid this, ensure you are standing directly in front of the glowing rune and wait for the screen-darkening effect to complete.

Another common issue involves the shout Marked for Death in the original game versions, where it could permanently lower your followers' armor if they were caught in the blast. In modern patches, much of this has been addressed, but it is still wise to use precision when shouting around allies.

Collecting every word in the Skyrim shouts list is a significant achievement that takes the Dragonborn from a mere survivor to the apex predator of Tamriel. Whether you are hunting down the last word of Storm Call in the ruins of Skuldafn or testing the limits of Cyclone on Solstheim, the Thu'um is your most potent weapon.