Appendix:Greenlandic suffixes
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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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
edit| Suffix | 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.