The Empty Stem pi- — Greenlandic Grammar

pi- is a stem with hardly any meaning of its own: "thing, do, happen". It never appears without an ending or a suffix, and it carries them where there is no other stem to attach them to.

Happen, Do

is "happens" or "does".

Qanga pigami? Sumi pigami?
When did it happen? Where did it happen?
Qanutut taama pisoqarami?
How did this happen? (pisoq "what happens" + -qar-)

Do To, Treat

"does something to him, treats him".

Ittukasima inussiarniitsumik pivaanga.
My stupid boss is rude to me. (lit. treats me in an unfriendly way)

Have, Take

is "has it, owns it", and pi- with -innar- "just" asks someone to just take something.

Nalunaaqutakora ukiut qulit pigaara.
I had my old watch for ten years.
Aana tyve dollarit. Sinnera piinnaruk.
Here is twenty dollars. Keep the change. (lit. just take the rest)

Something

With a suffix that builds a noun into the verb, pi- stands for "something".

Utoqqatserpunga. Pisilanga?
Excuse me. Can I order, please? (pi- + -si- "get": lit. may I get something?)

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