Transportation

1. Mittarfik sumiippa?

   Mit-tar-fik su-miip-pa?

   Where is the airport?

   Usage

   Asking for directions to the airport

   Grammar Note

   mittarfik is mippoq (lands) + -fik (place) = "airport"; timmisartoqarfik is an alternative.

2. Taxarsinnaavunga?

   Ta-xar-sin-naa-vun-ga?

   Can I use a taxi?

   Usage

   Asking whether a taxi is available

   Grammar Note

   "To take a taxi" is expressed with the verb taxarpoq rather than a noun; taxa is a loan word. In Greenland, travel between settlements often requires planes or helicopters.

3. Ukiumi qimusserusuppunga.

   U-ki-u-mi qi-mus-se-ru-sup-pun-ga.

   I would like to ride a dog sled in winter.

   Usage

   Expressing the desire to experience dog sledding, Greenland's traditional transport

   Grammar Note

   qimussit is a dog sledge with its team, qimusserpoq "travels by dog sledge" and qimusserarneq "a sledge trip". Dog sledging is still working transport in the north, where sledge dogs may be kept only above the Arctic Circle.

4. Ikaartaammik inniminniiniarpunga.

   I-kaar-taam-mik in-ni-min-nii-ni-ar-pun-ga.

   I would like to make a ferry reservation.

   Usage

   Requesting a ferry reservation for coastal travel in Greenland

   Grammar Note

   ikaartaat is "ferry". To reserve is inniminnerpaa / inniminniivoq; compare unnummut nerrivimmik inniminniiniarpunga "I’d like to reserve a table for tonight".

5. Qanoq sivisutigisumik tikissaagut?

   Qa-noq si-vi-su-ti-gi-su-mik ti-kis-saa-gut?

   How long does it take to arrive?

   Usage

   Asking how long the journey will take

   Grammar Note

   "How long" is qanoq sivisutigisumik, taking a finite verb. tikippoq "arrives" plus the future -ssa- and the 1st-person plural gives tikissaagut. Travel between Greenlandic settlements often takes longer due to reliance on planes, helicopters, and boats.

6. Helikopterit mittarfiat sumiippa?

   He-li-kop-te-rit mit-tar-fi-at su-mi-ip-pa?

   Where is the helicopter terminal?

   Usage

   Asking for the helicopter terminal, a key transportation hub in Greenland

   Grammar Note

   "mittarfik" means "landing pad / heliport". "X-it Y-at" is a possessive pattern. The pattern "X sumiippa?" = "Where is X?" (akunnittarfik sumiippa = "where is the hotel")

7. Hotelimminnut ikiuissavisiuk?

   Ho-te-lim-min-nut i-ki-u-is-sa-vi-si-uk?

   Can you take me to the hotel?

   Usage

   Asking someone to take you to the hotel

   Grammar Note

   "hotel" is borrowed from Danish; "-minnut" is the directional case suffix meaning "to"

8. Bussit unittarfiat sumiippa?

   Bus-sit u-nit-tar-fi-at su-mi-ip-pa?

   Where is the bus stop?

   Usage

   Asking where the bus stop is; useful in larger towns like Nuuk

   Grammar Note

   unittarfik is a "stop for a bus, train, etc." and bussi is "bus". It follows the genitive-plus-possessed-plus-sumiippa? pattern for asking "Where is …?". Buses exist mainly in Nuuk; in most settlements walking or cars are the main transport.

9. Biilimik attartorusuppunga.

   Bii-li-mik at-tar-to-ru-sup-pu-nga.

   I would like to rent a car.

   Usage

   Expressing the desire to rent a car

   Grammar Note

   "biili" is borrowed from Danish "bil" (car); cars are mainly used in Nuuk and a few larger towns

Browse all TravelPhrases languages