Personal Pronouns

01

Only for Emphasis

The verb ending already says who does it: sinippunga alone means "I sleep". A pronoun is added only to stress the person, often to set two people against each other. It keeps the same form whether the verb has an object or not.

• Uanga isumaqarpunga nerisassat kimittuusariaqartut.

  I think food should be spicy. (uanga: "I, for my part")

• Arsaq miloriutissavara, illit akussavat.

  I throw the ball, and you catch it.

• Uanga kammagaakkit.

  I am your friend!

• Ilissi nuannaarpusi. Uku nuannaanngillat.

  You (pl.) are happy. They are unhappy. (uku "these" for "they")

02

My, Your

Before an owned noun, the pronoun stresses the owner: uanga "my", illit "your".

• Uangaana qarasaasiara, illit qarasaasiat ikaniippoq.

  This is my computer. Your computer is over there.

03

And You?

-mi "what about" on a pronoun asks the question back. On illit the t becomes m: Illimmi?.

• Uanga upperaara nunarsuaq manissuusoq. Illimmi?

  I believe the earth is flat. What about you?

• Tuluttut Koreamiusutullu. Ilissimi?

  I know English and Korean. What about you? (ilissi + -mi, asking several people)

04

To You

The pronouns have case forms of their own, such as uannut "to me" and ilinnut "to you".

• Mobiiliga ilinnut atortereerpara. Utertiguk!

  I already lent you my cell phone. Give it back!

• Manniit aqqaneq marluk pisiaraakka, sukkulaatiminerlu ilinnoortoq.

  I bought a dozen eggs and a candy bar for you too.

• ilinnoortoq "the one meant for you", built on ilinnut "to you"