"Imzadi": Star Trek"s Betazoid Term of Endearment Explained

Summary

• Imzadi is a Betazoid term of endearment that means "beloved," and is often used to describe romantic love but can also refer to platonic love.
• Although the relationship between Riker and Troi goes through different stages, they always remain Imzadi to each other, with their initial connection on Betazed being influential.
• Even after their marriage and the loss of their child, Riker and Troi continue to refer to each other as Imzadi, showcasing the deep love and respect they have for one another.

Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) and Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) call one another Imzadi throughout Star Trek, but what does the Betazoid term of endearment really mean? The word Imzadi is first spoken (or rather thought telepathically) by half-Betazoid Deanna Troi in the series premiere of Star Trek: The Next Generation. After Commander Riker arrives on the USS Enterprise-D as its new First Officer, Troi greets him telepathically, referring to him as Imzadi. Riker continues to stare longingly at Deanna, but he does not respond to her, making it unclear if he could even hear her.
By the time they join the crew of the Enterprise-D when Star Trek: The Next Generation begins, Troi and Riker have ended the relatioship they shared years earlier on Betazed, but both of them clearly still have lingering feelings. Despite this, they do not officially rekindle their romance until the third TNG film, Star Trek: Insurrection. Still, they refer to one another as Imzadi throughout TNG, as well as after Riker and Troi finally marry in Star Trek: Nemesis. In TNG season 1, episode 10, "Haven," Deanna and Will discuss the term Imzadi as Deanna prepares for her wedding to a man she was bonded to as a child. Although she does not go through with the arranged marriage, Troi reveals to Riker that he will always be her Imzadi, even if they cannot be together romantically.


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