Describing Nouns: Modifiers Agree in Case — Greenlandic Grammar

A describing word, like "new" or "beautiful", comes after its noun. It takes the noun's case ending, and it is plural when the noun is.

After the Noun

Most describing words are verbs turned into nouns with -toq or -soq, "one that is …": "is beautiful", "a beautiful one". A few are plain nouns, such as "new".

Asseq kusanartoq iikkami nivingavoq.
The beautiful photo hangs on the wall.
Sila issittoq nuannaraara.
I love cold weather.
Sunaana puuliamiittoq? Inuusaq nutaaq?
What's in the plastic bag? A new doll?

The Same Case

When the noun has a case ending, the describing word repeats it.

Neriniartarfimmik pitsaasumik nalunngisaqaravit?
Do you know a good restaurant? (both -mik)
Nunamut allamut angalanissannut pilereqaanga.
I'm so excited to travel to another country. (nunamut allamut "to another country")
Inuuneq sukkulaammut pooqqasumut assinguvoq.
Life is like a box of chocolates.

The Same Number

With a plural noun, the describing word is plural too.

Ballonngit aappaluttut festernissannut pisiaraagit?
Did you buy these red balloons for your party? (both -t)
Imaq aalisakkanik amerlasuunik imaqarpoq.
There are many fish in the sea. (both -nik)

With a Noun Built Into the Verb

A noun built into the verb, as with -qar- "have", cannot be followed by anything, so its describing word stands before the verb, in the -mik form.

Pinnersumik kiinaqarpoq.
She has a beautiful face.
Uku naasut kusanartumik qalipaateqarput.
These flowers have a beautiful color.
Igallaqqittoq ipittumik saveqartarpoq.
A good cook uses a sharp knife. (lit. has a sharp knife)

In the course

Sentences from Lingora’s Greenlandic course

22 of the course's 500 sentences use this, the first in lesson 87. A few of them, with the words “Describing Nouns: Modifiers Agree in Case” is about in bold:

Sila issittoq nuannaraara. Aput sermerlu nuannareqaakka.
I love cold weather. I love snow and ice.
Lesson 295
Nunamut allamut angalanissannut pilereqaanga.
I'm so excited to travel to another country.
Lesson 449
Oqaatsimik nutaamik ilinniarneq assut nalunarpoq.
Learning a new language is very hard.
Lesson 499

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