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Greenlandic grammar · A1

Nouns: Allative Case (-mut)

Alexander StebnerCreator of Lingora · Updated 14 October 20262 min readComments

The allative ending -mut means "to": "to Nuuk". In the plural it is -nut. Besides the place something is heading for, it names the person something is written to, what something is for, and the time on the clock.

01

Where To

After a vowel, -mut is simply added. A final k or t becomes m first. Other nouns change in ways the dictionary form does not show: "dog" becomes , and "child" becomes .

  • Meeqqat bussimut ikipput.

    The children are getting on the bus. (bussi + -mut)

  • Pisiniarfimmut iserusuppunga.

    I want to go into the shop. (pisiniarfik: k becomes m)

  • Qaammammut apuuppoq.

    He reached the moon. (qaammat: t becomes m)

02

To Whom

The person something is written or sent to also takes -mut, when the verb has no object of its own.

  • Ikinngummut allappunga.

    I wrote to a friend.

03

What For

-mut also says what something is for. A word in -nissaq, "the doing of", drops its q before it: -nissamut "for doing".

  • Biilimut akissaqarpunga.

    I have enough money to buy a car. (lit. I have means for a car)

  • Neriartornissamut qaaqquaanga.

    He invited me for dinner. (lit. for going out to eat)

04

At What Time

A time on the clock takes the plural ending -nut. So does "how many" when it asks for the time: "at what time", literally "at how many".

  • Qassinut soraartaravit?

    At what time do you get off work?

  • Arfinernut.

    At six.

  • Qulinut.

    At ten o'clock.

05

Describing Words Take It Too

A word that describes the noun follows it and takes -mut as well.

  • nunamut allamut

    to another country (lit. to country, to other)

In the course

Sentences from Lingora’s Greenlandic course

31 of the course's 500 sentences use this, the first in lesson 37. A few of them, with the words “Nouns: Allative Case (-mut)” is about in bold:

  • Ataataga anaanannut tunissutisivoq.

    My father bought a present for my mother.

    Lesson 225

  • Sisamanngorpat katersugaasivimmut isissaanga.

    I will visit the museum on Thursday.

    Lesson 396

  • Septembarimi koncerteriarnissamut bilitsissaqarpunga.

    I have tickets for a concert in September.

    Lesson 398

All 121 Greenlandic grammar topics

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