Examples

Meaning

Actor has N

Kalaallisut Translation Notes
illoqarpunga I have (a) house From illu, 'house'. Note that the incorporated noun has no number, so it can also mean 'I have (several) houses'. The distinction between singular and plural can only be made, if a modifier is added to the incorporated noun (in the instrumental case).
qaqortumik illoqarpunga I have a (single) white house Here qaqortumik functions as a modifier to the incorporated noun illu. Because the ending is singular, N{mək}, it signifies that the incorporated noun also should be understood as singular; hence I only have a single house. Had it instead been qaqortunik illoqarpunga, the plural ending N{nək} on the modifier would signify that I have several white houses.

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