Demonstratives: this, that, these — Greenlandic Grammar

Greenlandic has several words for "this" and "that". The most common is , plural . The plural is also written , and also ; is also the -p form, "of these".

This, That

points at something near or in view, "this" or "that" as the situation needs. It can stand before or after its noun.

Una matuuvoq, unalu igalaajuvoq.
This is a door, and that is a window.
Naasoq una pisiarerusuppara.
I want to buy this plant.

These, They

The plural is "these", and also "they".

Uku naasut kusanartumik qalipaateqarput.
These flowers have a beautiful color.
Ilissi nuannaarpusi. Uku nuannaanngillat.
You (pl.) are happy. They are unhappy.

That One, Over There

, plural , points to something already known or mentioned. is "that one over there".

Angallatit taakkua assut akisupput.
Those boats are very expensive.
Innga angut inuusuttoq uigaajuk?
Is that young man over there your husband?

Here Is, This Is

presents something, "here is". Joined to it gives "this is".

Aana tyve dollarit. Sinnera piinnaruk.
Here is twenty dollars. Keep the change.
Unaana arnaq.
This is a woman.

With Case Endings

Before a case ending, becomes taassu-: its -p form is . The -p form of is .

Arnap taassuma qimmini aneeruppaa.
That woman is walking with her dog.
Uuma matup parnaannginnissaa eqqaamassavat.
Remember to never lock this door. (uuma matup "of this door")

In the course

Sentences from Lingora’s Greenlandic course

45 of the course's 500 sentences use this, the first in lesson 2. A few of them, with the words “Demonstratives: this, that, these” is about in bold:

Aana kammaga Anna, ilinniartuuvoq.
This is my friend, Anna. She is a student.
Lesson 2
Una imeq nillerpoq, aappaa kissarpoq.
This water is cold. That water is hot.
Lesson 68
Una nerissanngilat! puulukiminiuvoq!
Don't eat that! That's pork!
Lesson 366

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