Animals

1. puisi

   Seal

   Usage

   The animal at the centre of Greenlandic life — meat and hide alike, and hunting is still part of it

2. aataaq

   Harp seal

   Usage

   Greenlandic names each seal species separately; this is the harp seal, and a young one is "aataavaraq"

3. nanoq

   Polar bear

   Usage

   Found in the north and east; where they roam, always follow local guidance before going out alone

4. tuttu

   Reindeer / caribou

   Usage

   The same word also names the Big Dipper constellation

5. umimmak

   Musk ox

   Usage

   Large herds live around Kangerlussuaq, and the meat is sold in shops

6. qimmeq

   Dog / sled dog

   Usage

   The Greenland dog is a working animal — never approach or pet one without permission. A dog in harness is "qimuttoq"

7. terianniaq

   Arctic fox

   Usage

   In white winter coat it is "terianniaq qaqortaq"; in the blue transitional coat "terianniaq qernertaq"

8. ukaleq

   Arctic hare

   Usage

   Seen on mountain slopes

9. aaveq

   Walrus

   Usage

   Lives in the northern waters; the tusk ("tuugaaq") is used in carving

10. arfeq

    Whale

    Usage

    Whale watching is possible in summer

11. qilalugaq

    Beluga / narwhal

    Usage

    One word covers both species; "qilalugaq qernertaq" is the narwhal

12. aarluk

    Killer whale / orca

    Usage

    A predator of seals and walrus — Greenlandic even has verbs for fleeing one

13. naaja

    Seagull

    Usage

    Everywhere around the harbours, and a street name in Nuuk

14. tulugaq

    Raven

    Usage

    One of the few birds that stays all winter, and a regular in the old stories

15. aqisseq

    Ptarmigan

    Usage

    A game bird that turns up on restaurant menus

16. miteq

    Eider duck

    Usage

    Known for eiderdown; the king eider is "miteq siorakitsoq"

17. imeqqutaalaq

    Arctic tern

    Usage

    The longest-migrating bird on earth; keep away from the nesting grounds in summer

18. nattoralik

    White-tailed eagle

    Usage

    Seen along the southern coasts

19. sava

    Sheep

    Usage

    South Greenland really does have sheep farms, and the lamb is a local speciality

20. eqaluk

    Arctic char

    Usage

    Caught in rivers and lakes; a restaurant staple

21. saarullik

    Cod

    Usage

    A mainstay of the coastal fishery

22. qaleralik

    Greenland halibut

    Usage

    One of Greenland's largest exports

23. raaja

    Shrimp / prawn

    Usage

    Cold-water shrimp is a major Greenlandic industry, with plants at the harbours

24. ippernaq

    Mosquito

    Usage

    Arctic summers are famously thick with mosquitoes — a head net is essential. "unnaalik" is another word for it

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