-galuar-: Would, Although — Greenlandic Grammar

-galuar- marks something that does not or did not happen as one might expect. It goes before the ending; after an r it is -raluar-, after another consonant -kkaluar-.

Would, Should

After -ssa- "will", it means "would" or "should".

Qiiavunga. Kavaajalissagaluarpunga.
I feel cold. I should put on a jacket.
Pisoorsuaasuuguma anginerusumik ineqassagaluarpunga.
If I were rich, I would own a bigger apartment.
Illiusuuguma taamaaliussanngikkaluarpunga.
I wouldn't do that if I were you. (-nngit- + -kkaluar-)

Although, Even If

On a joined verb such as -lunga "and I", or on an "if" verb such as -guma "if I", it means "although" or "even if".

Amerlasuumik aningaasaateqaraluarlunga biilisisinnaanngilanga.
I can't buy a car even though I have a lot of money. (-qar- + -raluar-)
Kaffisoraluarumaluunniit suli sinilertarpunga.
Even if I drink coffee, I still fall asleep.

If Only

After -ssa- and with a "because" ending such as -avit "because you", it makes a wish: "if only you would …".

Sipaallaqqinnerussagaluaravit.
I wish you were more frugal. (lit. if only you would be better at saving)

In the course

Sentences from Lingora’s Greenlandic course

8 of the course's 500 sentences use this, the first in lesson 297. A few of them, with the words “-galuar-: Would, Although” is about in bold:

Sipaallaqqinnerussagaluaravit.
I wish you were more frugal.
Lesson 328

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