Appendix:Greenlandic suffixes
(Redirected from Appendix:Greenlandic affixes)
This is a categorised list of suffixes in Greenlandic. For examples of usage see the individual entries.
Some sources refer to these morphemes as affixes, but they are exclusively suffixes used in a highly synthetic, agglutinative way.
Being and becoming
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-giiaar | be mutually, several |
-giig | be mutually |
-kkuminar | be good for |
-kkuutaar | be grouped in -s |
-miit | be in/on |
-nngor | become |
-ssaqqig | be good for |
-u, -a, -ju | to be |
Lacking
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-ilatsi | be short of |
-erser | have lost |
-erutï, -ssaarutï | have no more |
-isag | have very few |
-it | be without |
-ssaaleqi | lack |
-ssaasua | lack |
Feeling
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-gug | thirst, long for |
-ersi | feel cold in one's * |
-katag | be fed up with |
-leri | have pain in one's * |
-nnger | like, be crazy about |
-nngu | feel bad in one's * |
Having
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-gasag, -gasaar | have scattered, be speckled with something |
-gï | have as, temporary use/possession |
-gig, gissaar | have a good |
-gissi | have got a better |
-erluer | be smeared with |
-kit, -killior | have few/little/small |
-kisaar | have rather little |
-lisaar | be wearing |
-lisar | have with one |
-lissuu | have much/many |
-lug | have a bad/painful |
-maar | be wearing |
-qar | have, there is |
-qqortu | have much/big |
-tujaar | have rather a big |
-tusi, -ttor | have got a more/bigger |
Acquiring
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-a | catch several |
-isor | fetch |
-lerngusaatii | fight for |
-nialug | hunt - small game/a little |
-(n)niar | hunt |
-nig | get/have come |
-niutï | hunt several |
-nnag | get - as gift/plenty |
-raar | catch so many |
-si | get, buy, find |
-sior | look for |
-t, -g | catch |
Movement
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-kkoor, -(a)goor | move in/through |
-liar | go to |
-meer, -minngar | come from |
-mukar | go to |
-mukaa | go to several |
-moor, -noor (pl.) | move towards |
-sior | travel on |
Acting and seeming like
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-lisar | resemble |
-nga | resemble |
-(r)palaar | seem/sound like |
-(r)pallag | act like |
-(r)palug | resemble/seem like |
-(r)pasig | look like |
-ssi | act/be just like |
-sunnit | smell like |
-toor | act like/speak - language |
-usaar | act like/seem |
Doing with and providing
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-iar | remove - several, break/damage |
-er | be removed/sell |
-erniar | sell |
-er | remove/deprive of |
-erutï | remove/deprive of |
-liari, -ssiari | make into |
-ler, -er | provide with |
-leri | occupy oneself with |
-lersaar | tell about |
-lersor | provide with - several/bit by bit |
-lior, ior | make |
-liutï | use for |
-ller | offer/serve |
-(t)mig | touch with one's |
-meer | do with |
-nngor(tit) | make into |
-riar | do so many times |
-ror | hit on the |
-ssit | give to |
-ter | cover with |
-tor | use/eat |
-tuuma | like to use/eat a lot |
Judging and saying
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-gi | consider |
-gissaa | complain that |
-gunar | look like |
-naar | find too/more than expected |
-nerar | say that |
-nni | look like |
-(r)palaar | appear/sound like |
-(r)pallag | sound like/he said |
-(r)palug | look/sound like |
-(r)pasig | look like |
-r | say/shout |
-ssanga(tit) | think - will |
-(ga)sugi | think that |
-(ga)sori | think that |
-tit | think |
Wishing and wanting
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-juma | want to |
-jumagaluar | would like |
-jumaller | get an urge to |
-jumatu | always want to |
-katag | be tired of |
-qquneru | prefer to |
-(llaq)qu | hope to |
-rusug, -gusug | would like to |
-(t)ser, -(t)sii | wait for |
Causation and request
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-qatiseri | want/ask someone to * with one |
-qqu | ask/want someone to |
-qqunngit | ask not to/forbid |
-qqusaar | try to get people to * one |
-qqusaa | be allowed to |
-sar, -saar | try to get to |
-tit | cause/let |
-titer | cause/let - several by stages |
-tsaali | prevent from |
Striving and intending
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-giar, -(gi)jartur | go and/to |
lersaar | intend |
-naveersaar | try not to |
-nialug | try a little |
-niar | try |
-niarsarï, -niarsuaar | try - despite difficulty |
-niinnar | try at all costs/just try |
-neqqisaatï | complete at |
-qqaanniutï | complete at |
-riaraluar | try unsuccessfully |
-ssamaar | intend |
-ssamaartuu | look forward to |
Potentiality
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-ja | apt to/can easily |
-jaat | not likely |
-janngit | cannot/never |
-juit | cannot/never |
-juminaat | not be easy/good to |
-juminar | be easy/good to |
-llaqqig | be good at |
-naat | not to be *-ed |
-nar | such as to be/ *-able |
-naveer | can no longer |
-nngitsuugassaanngit | cannot not |
-rataannaa, -ratarsinnaa(nngor) | can easily |
-riaa(nnaa) | can easily |
-sariaqaarut(i) | need no longer |
-sariaqanngit | must not/need not |
-sariaqar | must |
-sassaa | is to be *-ed |
-sinnaa | can |
-seriar | be easy/liable to |
-seriit | not be easy/liable to |
-sussaa | be supposed to |
Relation shifters
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-i, -si | intransitivizer |
-neqar | dynamic passive |
-qatigi | do together with |
-qatigiig | do reciprocally |
-saa, -gaa | stative passive |
-soor | happen to one that |
-ussor | do with/for - bit by bit |
-ssutï, -utï | do with/for/with respect to |
-ssutigï, -utigï | transitivizer - reason/time/means |
-ffigi | transitivizer - place/time/person |
Degree
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-alug | rather/here and there |
-aqqik | very |
-kanner | more or less/rather |
-kujug -kujoor | somewhat |
-kulug | somewhat |
-kutsoor, -kusoor | greatly |
-laar | a little |
-(l)luinnar | completely |
-miner | a little |
-misaar | a little |
-ngaanngit | not especially |
-ngaar | greatly |
-ngajag | almost/more or less |
-nerpaa | most |
-neru | more |
-nerujussuar | much more |
-nerumaar | a little more |
-nnguar | a little |
-pajaar | more or less/partly |
-pajug | just a little |
-(r)piar | exactly/really |
-qqar | barely |
-qqanngit | a lot |
-qqig | completely |
-qqinnaar | completely |
-rujug -rujoor | a little |
-(pilo)rujussuar | enormously |
-ruttor | at height of/very much |
-tigi | so |
-tsiar | rather/a bit |
-umi | a little |
-usar | more or less |
-vallaanngit | not so much |
-vallaar | too/very much |
-vig, -vissor | really/completely |
Manner
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-allag | suddenly a bit |
-arsug | half-heartedly |
-(r)su/juataar | powerfully/hard |
-galuar | nevertheless/formerly/though in vain |
-gasuar, -nasuar | quickly |
-(s)innar | just/only |
-jaallu | early - habitually |
-jaar | early |
-lertor | quickly/a short time |
-llarig | well |
-(l)luar | well/a lot |
-lussinnar | in vain |
-nerlug, -nerlior | badly |
-palaar | half-heartedly/with difficulty |
-pallag | quickly/hurriedly |
-pilug, -piloor | strongly/violently |
-qqissaar | carefully/exactly |
-riasaar, -riataar | suddenly |
-rulug (-rulup), -ruloor, -ruller | hard/violently |
-rusaar, -luusaar, -ruusaar | at easy/slowly |
-(r)suar | strongly |
-tsag | with emotion |
-ummi, -ummer | suddenly - feeling |
Phase of completion
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-gallanngit | not yet - for long time/though expected |
-galuttuinnar | gradually more and more |
-(gi)jartuaar | gradually more and more |
-(gi)jartur | more and more |
-jumaarnertu, -jumaataar | take a long time |
-junnaar, -gunnaar | no longer |
-li, -si | become |
-ler | begin/about to |
-nga, -ma | in state of |
-ngajag, -ngajassaa | about to/almost |
-nialer | set about |
-nngikkallar | not yet |
-nngiler | not yet - but should |
-nngersaar | about to |
-qqa | in state of |
-qqajar, -qqajaa | about to/almost do |
-riar | set about/dynamic state/all at a go |
-reer | perfective/already |
-(r)sari | be in middle of |
-sima | perfective state |
-simaar | continuing/intense state |
-ssaar | stop/no longer |
-sungar | almost/be danger that |
-ter | one by one/gradually |
Frequency and duration
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-akaa, -rratï | several do |
-(s)ar(i) | repetition/habit |
-gajug | often/habitually |
-gallar | still/for the time being |
-innar, -(t)tuinnar | always/continually |
-juaannar | always/continually |
-juaar | continuously/on and on |
-juar | continuously/still |
-jortor, -jorar | one after another |
-kula(ar), -kullatsit | often |
-llatsiar | for a short while |
-llattaar | from time to time |
-loor | for some/the whole time |
-mmersor | for some time |
-nngisaannar | never |
-qattaar | again and again |
-qqaar | first |
-qqig | again/further |
-saannar | often/all the time |
-sar, -tar | repetition/habit |
-(r)sor | repeated action |
-(lla)tuar | for once/at least |
-umisaar | back and forth |
-or, -ar | prolonged/repeated action |
-usaar | keep on *-ing |
Tense
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-jumaar | vague future |
-niar | intended/inevitable future |
-qqamminngit | some time ago |
-qqammer | recently |
-riikatag | a long time ago already |
-sima, -nikuu | perfect tense |
-ssa | future tense, should |
Modality
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-gunanngit | certainly not |
-gunar | it seems/no doubt |
-junnarsi | probably/no doubt |
-naviaq | certainly (used mainly in negative: see below) |
-navianngit, -naviarsimanngit, -naviarunanngit | certainly not; certain conviction |
-nnguatsiar | probably/as far as one can see |
-qqajaqi | would * if |
-(ssa)qqoor, --qqooqi | undoubtedly/must have |
-(ssa)sima | apparently |
-(sima)ssa | must have/be |
-ssagaluar | should/would * if |
Negation
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-galuanngit | not a bit/did not however |
-nngilluinnar | not at all |
-nngit | not |
-nngitsoor | happen not to |
-nnguanngit | not a bit |
-(r)pianngit | not really |
-qqajanngit | not at all |
-vinngit | not really/at all |
Subjective coloration
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-ataar | in a big way - exclamatory |
-gallar, -laar | imperative softener |
-galuar | sure/formerly - but |
-galuttuaqi, -galuttuar | now we'll see/look out |
-gi, -gu | and so (at length)/moreover |
-(s)innar | just |
-kasig, -kassag | disdain/complicity/naughty/poor |
-kisar | negative imperative - stop *-ing |
-kulug | dear/poor |
-(ria)llar | vivid/surprising action |
-llariaa | negative imperative - strengthener |
-llarumaar | just wait and see |
-llassa | just wait and see - more definite |
-(l)luinnar | really |
-(m)mi | and then - vivid |
-niar | imperative softener |
-ner | wonder whether/maybe |
-nnguar | affection/comfort |
-ngusar | thank heavens/dear - ironic |
-qï | intensity/very |
-qina | there's danger that/take care not to |
-ratar | suddenly/surprisingly |
-riannguar | vivid - often for discovery |
-riar | vivid action |
-riassa | let's/why don't you |
-ssaqqaar | will - just wait and see |
-vallaar | so very much |
Conjunctional
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-gaa(-ngat) | whenever |
-galuar(-mat/-luni) | although |
-(ssa)galuar(-pat) | even if |
-(s)innar(-toq/-luni) | after |
-juma/-qqu(-lluni) | in order to |
-llar(-mat) | just as - vivid |
-ngaar(-mat) | because so much |
-ngajaler(-soq) | just before |
-niaqa(-luni) | just as/even though |
-niar(-lunitoq) | while |
-niariar(-toq) | just after |
-niassa(-mmat) | so that |
-niassaqa(-luni) | though one should have |
-ner(-soq) | if perhaps/I wonder |
-nngikkallar(-mat) | before |
-(lla)nnguar(-ani) | without even/in the least |
-qqaar(-luni/-mat) | only/just after |
-qqajanngiti(-soq) | long before |
-riallar(-mat/-toq) | when - surprise |
-riar(-mat/-pat) | as soon as |
-riar(-luni) | after |
-ruttor(-toq) | just as |
-(t)siisiga(-lugu) | until |
-ssa(-nani) | without |
-ssaqqaar(-teq) | while still |
-tit(-lugu) | while |
-tit(-nagu) | until/before |
-utiga(-lugu) | at same time as |
Nominalizers
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-gajooq | one who often |
-kkajaaq, -kujooq | one that is rather [verb] |
-llammak | one good at [verb]ing |
-naq | how * it is! |
-niaq | one who tries to |
-niku, -nikoq | remains of/one who has [verb]ed |
-neq | state/result/action of [verb]ing |
-neq | the most/more |
-nerpaaq, -nersaq | the most |
-nertooq | one who [verb]s strongly |
-niutï | thing for [verb]ing |
-nnguarsi | how * it is! |
-(r)paluk | sound of *ing |
-qatï | fellow in, one with whom you [verb], a co-[verb]er |
-qqaaq | something newly [verb]-ed/one who has just [verb]ed |
-qqammeq | one who has just [verb]ed |
-riaq | place/thing where one [verb]s |
-rlaaq | one who newly [verb]ed, one who has just [verb]ed |
-saatï | means for [verb]ing |
-taq, -saq, -gaq | passive participle |
-ti, -si | agent mood/ [verb]er (active participle) |
-tsiiaq, -siiaq | something left to be [verb]ed |
-ssuseq | quality of; *-ness/*-ance/*-ledge |
-toq, -soq | intransitive participle |
-useq | manner of [verb]ing |
-utï | means/instrument/cause for [verb]ing |
-fik, -vik | place/time for [verb]ing |
Nominal extenders
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-giit, -giiaat | a pair of [verb]ers/mutual [verb]ers |
-gik | one with a good [noun] |
-erniaq | seller of [noun] |
-kkaaq | one with a big [noun] |
-kkut | and family and companions of [noun] |
-kkuutaat | at intervals of [noun]s |
-ku, -koq | remains of/previous/discarded [noun] |
-koorfik | place for discarding [noun] |
-liaq | traveller to [noun] |
-lik | something provided with [noun]/owner of [noun] |
-lersaarut, -lersaarneq | story/account of a [noun] |
-lisaq, -nisaq | something from last [noun] |
-livik | container for [noun] |
-mineq | a piece of [noun] |
-minaatsiaq | a fair-sized piece of [noun] |
-miu, -mioq | inhabitant/dweller of [noun] |
-qatï | a fellow [noun] |
-siutï | means for going in/seeking/travelling in/celebrating [noun] |
-ssiaq | something intended for/to be used for [noun] |
-sunni | smell of [noun] |
-tooq | one with a big/much [noun] |
-tooq | something in the language [noun] |
-usaq, -usaaq | something that looks like a [noun] |
-usiaq | a figure, model of [noun], something made that looks like [noun] |
Nominal modifiers
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-aluit, -paaluit | several/a group of [noun] |
-aq | young, offspring |
-araq | a small [noun] |
-arsuk | shoddy/low quality; small |
-gigaluaq, -galuaq | possessor's previous/former [noun] |
-innaq | just/only an [noun] |
-kanneq | almost/more or less a [noun] |
-kasik, -kassak | bad/poor [noun] |
-kujuit | dear ones - ironic |
-kkattaaq | a rather big [noun] |
-kullak | rather big/clumsy [noun] |
-kuluk | bad/small/dear [noun] |
-kulooq | a big [noun] |
-liaq | a made/fabricated [noun] |
-(r)luinnaq | complete(ly) [noun] |
-ngaaq | considerable/large [noun] |
-ngaatsiaq | quite a big [noun] |
-ngajak | almost a [noun] |
-ngusaq | dear little [noun] |
-nnaq, -nnaaq | main/favourite [noun] |
-nnguakkuluk | poor old/little |
-nnguaq (declines in ergative to sing. -nnguup and pl. -nnguit) | cute/sweet/small/dear little [noun] |
-pajuk | bad/poor [noun] |
-palaaq | bad/miserable [noun] |
-palaarsuaq | bad/damned [noun] |
-(r)passuit, -(r)paat | many/crowd of/flock of [noun] |
-(r)piaq | real/just/exactly [noun] |
-piluk | bad [noun] |
-rajuk, -rajussuaq | damned [noun] |
-ralaannguaq | tiny |
-ralak | bad/poor [noun], or (affectionately) dear [noun] |
-rujuk | bad/big [noun] |
-rujussuaq | enormous [noun] |
-siaq | bought/found [noun] |
-ssamaaq | intended [noun] |
-ssaq | future [noun], something to be used as [noun] |
-ssatsiarsuaq, -ssarsuaq | which should have been [noun] |
-(r)suannguaq | naughty [noun] |
-(r)suaq (ergative sing. -(q)suup, pl. -(q)suit) | big/bad [noun] |
-taaq | a new [noun] |
-taq | pertaining to [noun], part of possessor made of [noun] |
-tsialak | a good/nice [noun] |
-tsiannguaq | good little/usable [noun] |
-(a)tsiaq (-tsiaap, -tsiaat, -tsiaami) | a fair-sized [noun] |
-tuaq | the only/sole [noun] |
-toqaq (-toqqap, -toqqat) | an old [noun] |
-ugaluaq | previously/decreased |
-uneq | the highest/chief [noun] |
-utï | owned/belonging to one |
-vik | a real [noun] |
-ffaarik | a particularly good [noun] |
Enclitics
editSuffix | Definition |
---|---|
-aa | vocative case |
-aasiit | again as usual |
-gooq, -nngooq | he says/they say |
-li | but |
-lu | and |
-lusooq | as if |
-luunniit | or/neither * nor/(not) even |
-maa(nna) | eh? how is it? |
-mi | but/yet/indeed - contrast |
-mita | -mitaava | I wonder |
-(t)taaq | also |
-toq | expresses a wish |
-una | it is */it is that |
References
edit- Fortescue, M. (1980) Affix Ordering in West Greenlandic Derivational Processes, from International Journal of American Linguistics, Vol.46, no.4, pages 259-278, The University of Chicago Press.
- Fortescue, M. (1983) A comparative manual of affixes for the inuit dialects of Greenland, Canada and Alaska, Meddelelser om Grønland, Man & Society, 4.
- Fortescue, M. (1984) West Greenlandic, Croom Helm, Dover, New Hampshire
- Fortescue, M. (1990) Arctic Languages: An Awakening, Chapter 2, pages 309-332
- Lybech, S. (2020) A List of Greenlandic Affixes, oqa.dk
- Lybech, S. (2019) An Introduction to West Greenlandic, oqa.dk, 1st edition.
- Nielsen, F.A.J. (2014) Vestgrønlandsk grammatik, Nuuk.