Basic Words

1. ᐄ

   Ii

   Yes

   Usage

   Affirmative answer. A nod alongside makes it clear

   Grammar Note

   The long vowel ii is written with the dotted character ᐄ, which is a different character from short ᐃ (i)

2. ᐋᒡᒐ

   Aag-ga

   No

   Usage

   Negative answer. "Not yet" is aaggaa suli

   Grammar Note

   North Baffin says aakka instead. Do not mix the two forms

3. ᓇᑯᕐᒦᒃ

   Na-kur-miik

   Thank you

   Usage

   The usual "thank you" in South Baffin (Iqaluit). The reply is ilaali ("you're welcome")

   Grammar Note

   Qujannamiik is also widely used with the same meaning. For emphasis say nakurmiimmarialuk

4. ᓇᑯᕐᒦᒻᒪᕆᐊᓗᒃ

   Na-kur-miim-ma-ri-a-luk

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   For heartfelt thanks. Stronger than the ordinary nakurmiik

   Grammar Note

   A fixed, intensified form of nakurmiik

5. ᐃᓛᓕ

   I-laa-li

   You're welcome

   Usage

   The set reply to thanks

   Grammar Note

   A one-word fixed reply to nakurmiik or qujannamiik

6. ᒪᒥᐊᓇᖅ

   Ma-mi-a-naq

   I'm sorry.

   Usage

   Used to say sorry

   Grammar Note

   The stem mamia- means to regret something. Mamiattuq means "he/she feels sorry"

7. ᖃᓄᐃᙱᑦᑐᖅ

   Qa-nu-i-nngit-tuq

   It's fine.

   Usage

   Says that something is fine or no problem

   Grammar Note

   Qanuinngittunga means "I am fine" and qanuinngittuq means "he/she/it is fine"

8. ᑐᑭᓯᙱᑦᑐᖓ

   Tu-ki-si-nngit-tu-nga

   I don't understand.

   Usage

   Say it as soon as you lose the thread so that the other person rephrases

   Grammar Note

   -nngit- is the negative and -tunga means "I". The positive form is tukisijunga

9. ᑐᑭᓯᔪᖓ

   Tu-ki-si-ju-nga

   I understand.

   Usage

   Tells the other person that you followed the explanation

   Grammar Note

   Tukisijuq means "he/she understands"

10. ᑐᑭᓯᕕᑦ?

    Tu-ki-si-vit?

    Do you understand?

    Usage

    Checks whether the other person is following

    Grammar Note

    -vit is the question ending for one person

11. ᐋᑦᓲ

    Aat-suu

    I don't know.

    Usage

    The reply when you cannot answer a question

    Grammar Note

    A fixed one-word reply. Qaujimajuq means "he/she knows"

12. ᓯᐊᕈᐊᐃ

    Si-a-ru-a-i

    Just a moment.

    Usage

    Asks someone to give you a short moment

    Grammar Note

    Siaru means "a little while" and also appears in siaruttauq ("see you later")

13. ᐃᑲᔪᖅᑕᐅᔪᒪᔪᖓ

    I-ka-juq-ta-u-ju-ma-ju-nga

    I'd like some help.

    Usage

    Use it to ask for help when you are in trouble

    Grammar Note

    The literal meaning is "I want to be helped". Ikajuqtuq means "he/she helps"

14. ᐅᖃᒃᑲᓐᓂᕈᒃ

    U-qak-kan-ni-ruk

    Please repeat that.

    Usage

    Asks someone to say again what you missed

    Grammar Note

    An imperative addressed to one person

15. ᓱᒃᑲᐃᓪᓗᑎᑦ ᐅᖃᕈᒃ

    Suk-ka-il-lu-tit u-qa-ruk

    Say it slowly.

    Usage

    When the speech is too fast to follow

    Grammar Note

    Sukkaillutit means "being slow" and uqaruk is the imperative "say it"

16. ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑑᓲᖑᔪᖓ ᒥᑭᔪᒥᒃ

    I-nuk-ti-tuu-suu-ngu-ju-nga mi-ki-ju-mik

    I speak a little Inuktitut.

    Usage

    Saying it early makes the other person slow down

    Grammar Note

    -suungujunga means "I speak (a language)" and mikijumik means "a little bit". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

17. ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑑᓲᖑᕕᑦ?

    I-nuk-ti-tuu-suu-ngu-vit?

    Do you speak Inuktitut?

    Usage

    A typical answer is ii, mikijumik ("yes, a little")

    Grammar Note

    The pattern -suunguvit (you) / -suungujunga (I) means "speak / habitually do". The same pattern gives immulisuunguvit ("do you take milk?")

18. ᖃᓪᓗᓈᑎᑐᓲᖑᕖᑦ?

    Qal-lu-naa-ti-tu-suu-ngu-viit?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when you get stuck. A typical answer is ii, mikijumik ("yes, a little")

    Grammar Note

    Qallunaatitut means "English". The ending -suunguvit (also written -suunguviit) asks "do you speak …?"

19. ᐊᖑᑦ

    A-ngut

    Man / male

    Usage

    Use it to indicate a man or male

    Grammar Note

    Angut means "man". The word for "woman" is arnaq

20. ᐊᕐᓇᖅ

    Ar-naq

    Woman / female

    Usage

    Use it to indicate a woman or female

    Grammar Note

    Arnaq means "woman". The word for "man" is angut

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