When I was preparing for my Arctic Circle Trail, I stumbled upon a gap in my personal development: I never thoroughly studied local culture, let alone learned some Greenlandic words. Which might come in handy when I stumble into Inuit hunters somewhere on the trail. Or not and it’s just super nice to know some local words when I’m in Kangerlussuaq or Sisimiut. So here are some essential Greenlandic words for hiking in Greenland.
This is one of my posts on planning and preparing for hiking trips. Be sure to read the other posts or more essential words for hikes in other parts of the world.
| Welcome | Tikilluarit Tikilluaritsi |
| Hello (General greeting) | Aluu (inf) Inuugujoq Kutaa (frm) |
| Hello (on phone) | Haluu |
| How are you? | Qanoq ippit? Qanorippit? Ajunngilatit? Ajunngi? |
| Reply to ‘How are you?’ | Ajunngilanga. Illimmi qanoq ippit? |
| Long time no see | Qangali takugakkit |
| What’s your name? | Qanoq ateqarpit? |
| My name is … | …imik ateqarpunga |
| Where are you from? | Suminngaaneerpit? |
| I’m from … | …minngaaneerpunga |
| Pleased to meet you | Nuanneq naapillutit |
| Good morning (Morning greeting) | Iterluarit Kumoorn |
| Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting) | Inuugujaq |
| Good evening (Evening greeting) | Inuugujaq |
| Good night | Sinilluarit (sg) Sinilluaritsi (pl) – “sleep well” |
| Goodbye (Parting phrases) | Takuss’ (see you) Ajunnginniarna (farewell) Inuulluarina (said to someone you won’t see again) Ajunngikkina |
| Good luck! | Iluatitsilluarina Iluatitsilluarisi |
| Cheers! Good Health! (Toasts used when drinking) | Kasuutta! |
| Have a nice day | Aluu! Ulloq naalluarniariuk! |
| Have a nice meal | Nerilluarisi |
| Have a good journey | Angalalluarina |
| I don’t understand | Paasinngilara Paasinngilakkit Paasisinnaannginnakkummi |
| Please speak more slowly | Arriitsumik oqalulaalit |
| Please write it down | Qanoq akeqarpa? |
| Please say that again | Uteqqissinnaaviuk? |
| Do you speak English? | Tuluttut oqalusinnaavit? |
| Do you speak Greenlandic? | Kalaallit oqalusinnaavit? |
| Yes, a little (reply to ‘Do you speak …?’) | Aap, immannguaq |
| I don’t speak Greenlandic | Kalaallisut oqalussinnaanngilanga |
| How do you say … in Greenlandic | Qanoq Kalaallisut oqartarpisi? |
| Excuse me | Utoqqatsissutigaa Patsit Utoqqatserpunga |
| How much is this? | Qanoq akeqarpa/t? |
| Sorry | Utoqqatsissutigaa Patsit Utoqqatserpunga |
| Please | Ikinngutinnersumik |
| Thank you | Qujan Qujanaq Qujanarsuaq |
| Reply to thank you | Illillu (sg) Ilisillu (pl) |
| Where’s the toilet / bathroom? | Naak W.C-ii? |
| Would you like to dance with me? (I totally imagine myself doing this in the middle of the street or with the first Inuit I encounter) | Qiteqatigerusuppingaa? |
| I love you | Asavakkit |
| Get well soon | Iluarsilluarina |
| Rain | ? |
| Help! | Ikiunnga! Ikiortissannik! |
| Sun | ? |
| Congratulations! | Pilluarit (sg) Pilluaritsi (pl) |
| Food | ? |
| Water | ? |
Please let me know if you have other Greenlandic words to add.
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