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The Greenlandic language

A word or two in Greenlandic

 Photo – Magnus Biilmann Trolle, Visit Nuuk

A couple of good Greenlandic words to learn

All cultures are different, but if you learn a word or two in Greenlandic, you might feel more at ease with Greenlandic culture!

The language in Greenland is Kalaallisut (how to say it?) – it’s closely linked to other Inuit languages like Inuktun and Inuktitut. You can live your life in Greenland without speaking Greenlandic, but if you’ve made it all the way here why not try?

Photo – Magnus Biilmann Trolle, Visit Nuuk

Photo – Magnus Biilmann Trolle, Visit Nuuk

Qujanaq = Thank you!

Pronounced: Groo – ya – nagr (I would pronounce: qou-yan-uq)

The Greenlandic language is notorious for its difficult sounds, and even the most common phrases like ‘thank you and ‘you’re welcome will have difficult sounds in them.

You make the guttural sound Q (GR) at the beginning and end of QUJANAQ by closing up the top of your throat!

Illillu = You’re welcome!

Pronounced: ee – slee – sloo

The second most infamous sound of the Greenlandic language is the double L. This is a sound made with a bit of air – like when you say words with SL in but rather than separating the sounds of S and L we say them at the same time. Try to push the side of your tongue close to the left inside of your teeth while letting air out of your mouth.

Photo – Magnus Biilmann Trolle, Visit Nuuk

Aap = Yes!

Pronounced: aap

Phew – an easy one at last! You just prolong the A a bit and then you’ll know how to say ‘yes!’ And a bonus way to say yes in Greenlandic is simply by lifting your eyebrows as an answer. In Greenlandic culture we don’t shake our heads no and nod our heads yes, we simply use facial expressions. Keep reading to find out how to say no with your words and your face!

Naamik = No!

Pronounced: naa-mek

Pretty easy too huh? If you want to experiment with integrating into Kalaallit culture, scrunch up your nose when you want to say ‘no.’ Don’t worry – we won’t be offended!

But you might not want to practice this one in your homeland.

Photo – Magnus Biilmann Trolle, Visit Nuuk

Takuss = See you!

Pronounced: da-goos

Whenever you leave a place behind, you might want to shout a casual ‘takuss!’

This is especially nice if you intend to come back to said place. They are sure to be impressed by your Greenlandic words!

Mamaq = Tasty!

Pronounced: ma – magr

This is a good one if you eat anything that you think is yummy. It’s usually following a satisfied “mmmmmh! mamaq!”. Maybe this is something you’ll say when you try Mattak for the first time! Don’t know what mattak is? Read more about it here.

While these basic words don’t begin to cover the vastness of the Greenlandic language knowledge (did anyone say 600+ conjugation forms?!), they are a step towards making your visit more fun and friendly. Everyone loves a visitor who makes an effort with the local language, and that goes for Nuummiut (What is Nuummiut? No reference to what this means) too. Takuss!

Kuluk-portrait

Kuluk Helms

Performing artist, poet, nuummioq