Greetings

1. Aluu

   A-luu

   Hello

   Usage

   The common Greenlandic (Kalaallisut) greeting

   Grammar Note

   Greenlandic is a polysynthetic language — single words can express entire sentences

2. Qujanaq

   Qu-ja-naq

   Thank you

   Usage

   The most common Greenlandic expression of gratitude

   Grammar Note

   "Qujannarsuaq" means "thank you very much" — a more emphatic form

3. Inuulluarit!

   I-nuul-lu-a-rit!

   Goodbye / Bye

   Usage

   The everyday Greenlandic farewell

   Grammar Note

   inuu- (live) + -lluar- (well) + imperative -it: "live well" — the standard farewell. To more than one person: Inuulluaritsi!

4. Aap / Naagga

   Aap / Naag-ga

   Yes / No

   Usage

   Basic Greenlandic words for yes and no

   Grammar Note

   "Aap" is found across Inuit languages. Greenland is part of the broader Inuit cultural sphere

5. Qanoq ippit?

   Qa-noq ip-pit?

   How are you?

   Usage

   The Greenlandic way to ask how someone is doing

   Grammar Note

   Reply "Ajornarmat" (fine / it can't be helped) or "Ilaatigut" (so-so)

6. Sinilluarit!

   Si-nil-lu-a-rit!

   Good night.

   Usage

   A farewell expression used at night

   Grammar Note

   Good night is "sinilluarit[si]" (with -si for more than one addressee) and "siger godnat = sinilluaqqusivoq" (sinippoq "sleeps" plus -lluar- "well").

7. Tanngerlugit.

   Tan-nger-lu-git.

   Please (go ahead / be welcome).

   Usage

   Used when inviting someone to go ahead or welcoming them

   Grammar Note

   "tanngerlugit" comes from a verb meaning "to go forward" and serves as a polite invitation

8. Ullumi qassingat?

   Ul-lu-mi qas-sin-gat?

   What day is today?

   Usage

   A common expression to ask what day or date it is

   Grammar Note

   "ullumi qassingat" corresponds to Danish "hvad er datoen i dag". Greenland has midnight sun in summer and polar night in winter, making date awareness especially important

9. Kalaallit Nunaannut tikilluarit!

   Ka-laal-lit Nu-naan-nut ti-kil-lu-a-rit!

   Welcome to Greenland!

   Usage

   Welcoming a visitor or tourist to Greenland

   Grammar Note

   Kalaallit Nunaat (Land of the Kalaallit) takes the terminalis -nut, giving Nunaannut. tikilluarit = tikip- (arrive) + -lluar- (well) + imperative -it. To several people: tikilluaritsi!

10. Ajornarmat.

    A-jor-nar-mat.

    I am fine / It cannot be helped.

    Usage

    Reply to "how are you" or expressing acceptance of a difficult situation

    Grammar Note

    A philosophical expression of acceptance born from Greenland's harsh environment; also used as a casual reply

11. Anartarfik sumiippa?

    A-nar-tar-fik su-miip-pa?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Essential Greenlandic phrase for asking where the bathroom is

    Grammar Note

    The toilet is anartarfik, aquittarfik or perusuersartarfik.

12. Kalaallisut oqalussinnaanngilanga

    Ka-laal-li-sut o-qa-lus-sin-naan-ngi-la-nga

    I can't speak Kalaallisut

    Usage

    Used to let someone know you cannot speak Greenlandic

    Grammar Note

    oqaluppoq is "speaks", and "kan tale grønlandsk" is kalaallisut oqaluttarpoq. This simply negates the root used in oqalussinnaavunga / oqalussinnaavit?

13. Illillu

    Il-lil-lu

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Reply to "Qujanaq" (thank you)

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