Very, Quite, A Lot: -qaa-, -rujussuaq, -ngaatsiar-

01

Very, A Lot: -qaa-

-qaa- "very, a lot" goes on a verb and has short endings of its own, as the future -ssa- does: -qaanga "I", -qaatit "you", -qaaq "he, she, it", -qaat "they".

• Atuarfimmi ilikkagaqaqaanga.

  I learned a lot at school. (-qaanga "I")

• Illugissaaqaatit, qanoq pisoqaatigiva?

  You have a very nice house. How old is it? (-qaatit "you")

• Tuniniaavimmiippunga, ulapeqaaq.

  I am at the market. It is very busy. (-qaaq "it")

• Eqiasunnak, suliffissat amerlaqaat.

  Don't be lazy. There are plenty of jobs available. (-qaat "they")

02

Very: -rujussuaq

-rujussuaq "very" follows a describing word, often one in -toq or -soq. With -u- "be" after it, the word becomes a verb again: -rujussuuvoq "is very …".

• Qarasaasiara pisoqaavoq kigaatsorujussuaq.

  My old computer is very slow.

• Qimmiaraataa inequnartorujussuuvoq.

  Her little dog is very cute.

• Guitaarillaqqeqaaq. Nipilersullaqqittupilussuuvoq.

  He's a great guitar player. He plays very well. (-pilussuaq, like -rujussuaq)

03

Quite: -ngaatsiar-

-ngaatsiar- "quite, a good deal" goes on a verb before its ending.

• Iipilit juiciat sukkumik imaqangaatsiarpoq.

  Apple juice contains a lot of sugar.

• Ningiora utoqqalingaatsiareerpoq.

  My grandma is already quite old.

-ngaar- "very, a lot" also goes on a verb before its ending.

• Aleqat portungaarami.

  Your older sister is very tall. (portu- "tall" + -ngaar-)