Nouns: Ablative Case (-mit) — Greenlandic Grammar

The ablative ending -mit means "from" or "out of". In the plural it is -nit. The longer forms -miit and -niit mean exactly the same. Besides "from", the ablative is the word for "than" in comparisons.

From, Out Of

After a vowel, -mit is simply added. Many nouns change their end first, and the dictionary form does not show how: in "school" and "man" the k or t becomes m, , , while "dog" loses its q, .

Inuit bussimit niupput.
The people are getting off the bus.

From When

Together with "until", the ablative gives "from … until …".

Januaarimit Marsip tungaanut kavaajaqartariaqarpunga.
From January to March I have to wear a coat.

Than

To say "bigger than" or "warmer than", the thing compared with stands in the ablative.

Nuna una Belgiamit anneroqaaq.
This country is much bigger than Belgium.
Frankrigi Ruslandimit minnerujussuuvoq.
France is much smaller than Russia.
Sila nunannit kianneruvoq.
The weather is warmer than at home. (nunannit "than my country": -nnit is the ablative with "my")

Than the People There

To compare people with those of another place, Greenlandic names that place's people: -miu- "person from", followed by the plural ending -nit.

Inuillu Spaniamiunit inussiarnernerullutik.
The people are much more friendly than in Spain. (lit. than the people from Spain)
Inuit maanimiut nunatsinnimiunit pinnernerupput.
The people here are prettier than at home.

By Whom

The ablative also names the people by whom something is done or known.

Una aqqusineq turistinit tusaamasaavoq.
This street is really famous for tourists. (lit. is known by tourists)

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