Laundry

1. Errorsisarfik qaninnerpaaq sumiippa?

   Er-ror-si-sar-fik qa-nin-ner-paaq su-miip-pa?

   Where is the nearest laundromat / laundry service?

   Usage

   Used to ask where the nearest laundry service is

   Grammar Note

   The laundry vocabulary all derives from the root error- (errorpaa "washes it", errorsivoq "does the laundry"). Note that kissarpoq means "is hot" and has nothing to do with washing.

2. Errorsineq panersaanerlu qanoq akeqarpat?

   Er-ror-si-neq pa-ner-saa-ner-lu qa-noq a-ke-qar-pat?

   How much does it cost to wash and dry?

   Usage

   Used to ask the price for washing and drying

   Grammar Note

   The fixed phrase for asking a price is qanoq akeqarpa?. With two coordinated subjects the verb takes the 3pl interrogative -pat. The enclitic -lu "and" attaches to the end of the preceding word.

3. Errorsineq qanoq sivisutigissava?

   Er-ror-si-neq qa-noq si-vi-su-ti-gis-sa-va?

   How long does the laundry take?

   Usage

   Used to ask how long the laundry takes

   Grammar Note

   Duration is asked with qanoq sivisutigissava? "how long will it last?" — sivisuvoq "lasts long" + -tigi- "to that degree" + future -ssa-.

4. Una mianersorluni errorsinnaaviuk?

   U-na mi-a-ner-sor-lu-ni er-ror-sin-naa-vi-uk?

   Can you wash this delicate item carefully?

   Usage

   Used to request careful handling of a delicate garment

   Grammar Note

   Requests are politely framed as a 2sg→3sg interrogative in -viuk. Manner is added with the contemporative -luni, used when the subject is the same.

5. Ilulleq una kemi atorlugu saliisariaqarpoq.

   I-lul-leq u-na ke-mi a-tor-lu-gu sa-lii-sa-ri-a-qar-poq.

   This shirt needs to be dry-cleaned

   Usage

   Used when a garment requires dry cleaning

   Grammar Note

   Dry cleaning is not a loanword but kemi atorlugu saliineq "cleaning by means of chemicals". The obligation affix is -sariaqar- after vowel stems and -tariaqar- after consonant stems.

6. Qaqorsaat sequtsigaq imaluunniit kingunerut peqarpit?

   Qa-qor-saat se-qut-si-gaq i-ma-luun-niit kin-gu-ne-rut pe-qar-pit?

   Do you have detergent / fabric softener?

   Usage

   Used to ask if detergent or fabric softener is available

   Grammar Note

   Possession and existence are expressed with the affix -qarpoq. A fronted object may remain in the absolutive.

7. Errorsissut nammineq atorsinnaavara?

   Er-ror-sis-sut nam-mi-neq a-tor-sin-naa-va-ra?

   Can I use the washing machine myself?

   Usage

   Used to ask if self-service washing machines are available

   Grammar Note

   On the consonant stem ator-, the ability affix yields atorsinnaa-, parallel to akuersorpaa → akuersorsinnaavara. The same -sinnaa- is used when asking permission.

8. Maani manissaasoqarpa?

   Maa-ni ma-nis-saa-so-qar-pa?

   Is there an ironing service available?

   Usage

   Used to ask if ironing service is offered

   Grammar Note

   "There is someone/something that …" is formed by stacking -qarpoq on the participle -soq, giving -soqarpoq. The iron itself is manissaat and the ironing board manissaavik.

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