Traveling with Kids

1. Meeqqat pingaartuupput

   Meeq-qat pi-ngaar-tuup-put

   Children are important

   Usage

   Express the central value of children in Greenlandic culture

2. Meeraq napparsimavoq.

   Mee-raq nap-par-si-ma-voq.

   The child is sick

   Usage

   Report that a child is sick

   Grammar Note

   meeraq is "child"; an infant is meeraaraq. napparsimavoq means "is ill".

3. Pinnguartarfeqarpa?

   Pinn-gu-ar-tar-fe-qar-pa?

   Is there a place where children can play?

   Usage

   Find a space for children to play

   Grammar Note

   pinnguarpoq is "plays" (of a child); with -tar- (habitual) and -fik (place) it gives pinnguartarfik "playground".

4. Meeqqat nerisassarsiorfigineqarsinnaappat?

   Meeq-qat ne-ri-sas-sar-si-or-fi-gi-neq-ar-sin-naap-pat?

   Can the children be given food?

   Usage

   Request food for children

   Grammar Note

   "-sinnaa-" (can) with the passive "-neqar-", closed by the 3pl interrogative ending "-ppat", asks "can (the children) be given food?". "-ppata" is a subordinate (conditional) ending and cannot close a question.

5. Meeraq peqqissaartissariaqarpoq

   Meer-aq peq-qis-saar-tis-sa-ri-aq-ar-poq

   The child needs to be seen by a doctor

   Usage

   Communicate that a child needs medical attention

   Grammar Note

   "peqqissaar" (become healthy) + "-tis" (causative) + "-sariaqarpoq" (it's necessary) — polysynthetic

6. Meeraq oqortunik atukkersoruk

   Mee-raq o-qor-tu-nik a-tuk-ker-so-ruk

   Make sure the child doesn't get cold

   Usage

   Keep a child warm in Greenland's cold climate

   Grammar Note

   oqortunik atukkersorpaa (klæder ham varmt på) = dresses him warmly. oqorpoq is "is warm" of clothing (kiappoq is used of air and water, kissarpoq of hot objects). The imperative takes -ruk for a third-person singular object.

7. Meeqqat inuiaqatigiinni pingaartinneqarput.

   Meeq-qat i-nu-i-a-qa-ti-giin-ni pi-ngaar-tin-ne-qar-put.

   Children are cherished in the community

   Usage

   Describe children's valued place in Greenlandic community life

8. Meeqqat pinnguarnerat

   Meeq-qat pinn-gu-ar-ne-rat

   Children's play and activities

   Usage

   Inquire about children's activities

   Grammar Note

   pinnguarnerat is the verbal noun pinnguarneq (from pinnguarpoq "plays") with the 3pl possessive ending, "their play". Meeqqat "children" is the possessor, giving "the children's play and activities".

9. Meeraq angerlarsimava?

   Meer-aq an-ger-lar-si-ma-va?

   Has the child returned?

   Usage

   Check if a child has returned safely

   Grammar Note

   "angerlarsima" ("has returned home") plus the 3rd-person singular interrogative ending "-va". Greenlandic questions are marked by the verb ending (Moortat angerlarsimava?)

10. Meeraq kulturimik misigitittariaqarpoq.

    Mee-raq kul-tu-ri-mik mi-si-gi-tit-ta-ri-a-qar-poq.

    The child should experience the culture

    Usage

    Express interest in letting a child experience local culture

Browse all TravelPhrases languages