Nouns: Absolutive Case — Greenlandic Grammar

The absolutive is a noun's plain form, the one listed in the dictionary. In the singular it has no ending at all; in the plural it ends in -t, or -it on some nouns: "dog", "dogs"; "man", "men".

The One Doing It, When There Is No Object

When the verb has no object, the one doing it stands in the absolutive.

Kaageeraq assut tungusunnippoq.
That cookie tastes really sweet.
Inuit bussimit niupput.
The people are getting off the bus.
Meeqqat bussimut ikipput.
The children are getting on the bus.

The Thing Something Is Done To

When the verb has an object, the object stands in the absolutive as well.

Matu ammarpaa.
She is opening the door.
Asseq takutissinnaaviuk?
Can you show me the photo?

Who Does What

So the same plain form is used for the one doing it when there is no object, and for the object when there is one. The one who does something to something takes a different ending, -p.

Meeraq qiavoq.
The child is crying. (meeraq: no object)
Meeqqap atuagaq atuarpaa.
The child read the book. (meeqqap: it has an object; atuagaq stays plain)

Owned, but Still Plain

A noun with "my" or "your" can be in the absolutive too: the owner ending is not a case ending.

Kammaga allaffimmi suliffeqarpoq.
My friend works in an office.
Isarussakka tammaavakka.
I can't find my glasses.

After "This Is"

A noun presented with "this is", "here is" or "that is" stands in the absolutive.

Unaana arnaq.
This is a woman.

Plural Shapes

Most nouns add -t in the plural, often after a change at the end: "picture", "pictures". Nouns ending in k or t take -it: "man", "men". A describing word takes the plural too.

Assit kusanaatsut puuaqqami ilisiviup iluaniipput.
The ugly photos are in a box in the closet. (kusanaatsut "ugly ones")

In the course

Sentences from Lingora’s Greenlandic course

260 of the course's 500 sentences use this, the first in lesson 2. A few of them, with the words “Nouns: Absolutive Case” is about in bold:

Aana kammaga Anna, ilinniartuuvoq.
This is my friend, Anna. She is a student.
Lesson 2
Angut aamma sinippoq, arnaq suli naamik.
He is also sleeping. She isn't.
Lesson 16
Marlunnik biileqarpunga, sikkilit marluk, motorsikkilillu pingasut.
I have two cars, two bicycles, and three motorbikes.
Lesson 33

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