HOW IÑUPIAQ WORDS ARE PUT TOGETHER

An Iñupiaq word often has several pieces. The first piece gives the main meaning. A middle piece can add an idea such as not or will. The last piece can tell us who is involved or how the word is being used.

Because one word can carry all this information, a complete Iñupiaq sentence can sometimes be only one word.

The Sentence analysis line takes each word apart. It begins with the dictionary form, shows any middle pieces, and then shows the last piece. The sign Ø means that nothing was added. The word after the arrow is the finished spelling. Sometimes a letter changes or disappears when the pieces join.

Letters sometimes change where two pieces touch. One added piece may keep the last letter of a word; another may remove or change it. A few words also use a second form before an ending. Each changed example below shows the exact before-and-after spelling, so you do not have to guess.

Do not treat every change as a general sound rule. Read the label in each analysis. A joining rule names the exact added piece and the final letter it affects. A replacement rule means that the added piece removes the old final consonant and takes its place. A weakening rule changes a final consonant only before the named piece. A stem-specific joining form belongs to that word and must be learned with it because the spelling alone does not predict the change. The reason is grammatical: Iñupiaq endings and middle pieces have different joining behaviors. The named piece tells you whether the preceding letter stays, disappears, or changes; the meaning alone does not.

The Main Word-Building Formula

Formula: WORD = BASE + OPTIONAL MIDDLE PIECE(S) + ENDING + OPTIONAL EXTRA PIECE

The base gives the main meaning. A middle piece adds a meaning such as will or not. The ending can show who, how many, or whether the word is a statement or question. A small extra piece can add a meaning such as and or too.

Step 1: Find the base at the beginning of the word.

Step 2: Look for any middle piece that adds meaning.

Step 3: Read the ending to see who, how many, or what kind of sentence it is.

Step 4: Finally, read the whole word as one natural meaning.

Examples:

siñigviitchuq — He/she has no place to sleep.

Sentence analysis:

siñigviitchuq — siñik- = sleep;

-vik = place for doing the action;

-it- = not have; there is no;

-chuq = he, she, or it.

Here siñik ends in k, so use g: siñik + -vik -> siñigvik-.

Apply this consonant change when -vik is added; it is not a change used before every suffix.

To add -it- (not have or there is no) after -vik, leave out the k of -vik.

The i at the end of vi- then meets the i of -it-, so the result has ii: -vik + -it- -> -viit-.

This two-step change is only for the -vik + -it- combination.

Igluitchuq. — He/she doesn't have a house.

Sentence analysis:

Igluitchuq — iglu = house;

-it- = not have; there is no;

-chuq = he, she, or it.

nasaġlu — And the hood.

Sentence analysis:

nasaġlu — nasaq = hood;

-lu = and or also.

Rule for -lu: when -lu follows a form ending in q, the final q weakens to ġ before l.

Therefore nasaq + -lu -> nasaġlu.

Use this q -> ġ change when -lu follows this q-final pattern;

do not apply it before every suffix.

iḷisaġman — When he/she studies.

Sentence analysis:

iḷisaġman — iḷisaq- = study or practice;

-man = when or because he, she, or it does it.

Rule for -man: in the stems shown here, final q becomes ġ and final t becomes n before -man.

Because iḷisaq ends in q, use ġ: iḷisaq + -man -> iḷisaġman-.

Apply this change when -man is added, not before every suffix.

aŋun — Man.

Sentence analysis:

aŋun — aŋun = man.

Tautukkaik. — He or she sees the two of them.

Sentence analysis:

Tautukkaik — tautuk- = see; -kaik shows both the doer and the people seen.

Here it means that one person sees exactly two people.

Together, Tautukkaik = he or she sees the two of them.

Aglagviqaqpak? — Do the two of them have desks?

Sentence analysis:

Aglagviqaqpak — aglak- = write;

-vik = place for doing the action;

-qaq- = have; there is;

-pak = asks about the two of them.

Here aglak ends in k, so use g: aglak + -vik -> aglagvik-.

Apply this consonant change when -vik is added; it is not a change used before every suffix.

Anniŋitchutin. — You do not get hurt.

Sentence analysis:

Anniŋitchutin — anniq- = get hurt;

-ŋit- = negative: not;

-chutin = you, one person.

It removes the final consonant and begins in its place.

Because anniq ends in q, remove q, then add -ŋit-: anni- + -ŋit- -> anniŋit-.

This rule belongs to -ŋit-; final q does not disappear before every suffix.

Making a Place Word with -vik

Formula: ACTION BASE + -VIK = PLACE OR THING USED FOR THAT ACTION

Add -vik to an action word to make the name of a related place or thing. For example, savak means work or make. Savagvik means a place for work: a workplace or office. Letters can change when the pieces join, so check the finished spelling.

Step 1: Start with the action word.

Step 2: Add -vik.

Step 3: Check the finished spelling and read the new word as a place or thing.

Examples:

savagvik — A workplace; an office.

Sentence analysis:

savagvik — savak- = work;

-vik = place for doing the action.

The result is a noun meaning workplace or office, not a complete he/she sentence.

Here savak ends in k, so use g: savak + -vik -> savagvik-.

Apply this consonant change when -vik is added; it is not a change used before every suffix.

qamna niġġivik — That table in there, out of sight.

Sentence analysis:

qamna — qamna = that one in there or up the coast.

niġġivik — niġi- = eat;

-vik = place for doing the action.

Here -vik adds the idea 'a place for the action.' niġi has the stem-specific joining form niġġi- before this piece: niġi -> niġġi-.

Then join them: niġġi- + -vik -> niġġivik-.

There is no safe general rule that changes every similar-looking word this way, so learn niġi and its -vik form together.

Aqparvik aputiqaqpa? — Is there snow on the racetrack?

Sentence analysis:

Aqparvik — aqpat- = run;

-vik = place for doing the action.

Here aqpat ends in t, so use r: aqpat + -vik -> aqparvik-.

Apply this consonant change when -vik is added; it is not a change used before every suffix.

aputiqaqpa — apun = snow;

-qaq- = have; there is;

-pa = asks about he, she, or it.

Here -qaq- adds the idea 'have or there is.' apun has the stem-specific joining form aputi- before this piece: apun -> aputi-.

Then join them: aputi- + -qaq- -> aputiqaq-.

There is no safe general rule that changes every similar-looking word this way, so learn apun and its -qaq- form together.

Savagviqaqtuŋa. — I have an office.

Sentence analysis:

Savagviqaqtuŋa — savak- = work;

-vik = place for doing the action;

-qaq- = have; there is;

-tuŋa = I.

Here savak ends in k, so use g: savak + -vik -> savagvik-.

Apply this consonant change when -vik is added; it is not a change used before every suffix.

PUTTING A SIMPLE SENTENCE TOGETHER

Many short Iñupiaq sentences put the action word last. A sentence may contain only a verb, or it may begin with the person or thing involved. The endings help show who is doing the action.

A Simple Sentence Pattern

Beginner reading pattern: A short sentence may be VERB or PERSON/THING + VERB. In many beginner statements, the verb comes last.

Use this pattern for now. The ending on the action word also helps you see who is doing it.

Step 1: Look at the last important word. It is often the action.

Step 2: Look at the person or thing before it.

Step 3: Check the ending on the action word to see who is doing it.

Examples:

Aġnaq iganiaqtuq. — The woman will be cooking.

Sentence analysis:

Aġnaq — aġnaq = woman.

iganiaqtuq — iga- = cook;

-niaq- = future: will;

-tuq = he, she, or it.

Aŋutik atuqtuk. — The two men are singing.

Sentence analysis:

Aŋutik — aŋun = man;

-k = exactly two.

Stem-specific joining form: before -k, aŋun uses aŋuti-.

Put that form and the ending together: aŋuti- + -k -> aŋutik.

The spelling of aŋun alone does not predict this change, so learn these two forms together: aŋun; aŋuti-.

Do not apply the same change automatically to other nouns.

atuqtuk — atuq- = sing;

-tuk = the two of them.

Aŋun niġiruaq atuqtuaġlu. — The man ate and sang.

Sentence analysis:

Aŋun — aŋun = man.

niġiruaq — niġi- = eat;

-ruaq = he, she, or it did it before now.

atuqtuaġlu — atuq- = sing;

-tuaġ = he, she, or it did it before now; rule for -lu after final q: when -lu follows the q-final ending -tuaq, that q weakens to ġ before l.

Thus -tuaq + -lu -> -tuaġlu.

Use this q -> ġ change when -lu follows this q-final ending;

do not use it before every suffix;

-lu = and or also.

Tuttuk paŋaliktuk. — The two caribou are running.

Sentence analysis:

Tuttuk — tuttu = caribou;

-k = exactly two.

paŋaliktuk — paŋalik- = gallop;

-tuk = the two of them.

Qimmiq tikitchuq. — The dog arrives.

Sentence analysis:

Qimmiq — qimmiq = dog.

tikitchuq — tikit- = arrive;

-chuq = he, she, or it.

Aŋun aŋayuruq. — The man is Iñupiaq dancing.

Sentence analysis:

Aŋun — aŋun = man.

aŋayuruq — aŋayu- = dance;

-ruq = he, she, or it.

STATEMENTS, NEGATIVES, AND QUESTIONS

Positive Statements

A positive statement says that something happens or is true. It does not use -ŋit, the piece meaning not. The person or thing doing the action may be written separately, but the ending can already tell you who it is.

Beginner pattern: POSITIVE STATEMENT = OPTIONAL PERSON/THING + ACTION BASE + OPTIONAL MIDDLE PIECE + STATEMENT ENDING

Start with the action word. If a person or thing is written before it, read the two together. The ending tells you whether the action is done by I, you, one other person, two people, or a larger group.

Examples:

Qairuq. — He/she/it is coming.

Sentence analysis:

Qairuq — qai- = come;

-ruq = he, she, or it.

Niġiruŋa. — I am eating.

Sentence analysis:

Niġiruŋa — niġi- = eat;

-ruŋa = I.

Aŋun aŋayuruq. — The man is Iñupiaq dancing.

Sentence analysis:

Aŋun — aŋun = man.

aŋayuruq — aŋayu- = dance;

-ruq = he, she, or it.

Qimmiq tikitchuq. — The dog arrives.

Sentence analysis:

Qimmiq — qimmiq = dog.

tikitchuq — tikit- = arrive;

-chuq = he, she, or it.

Savaktut. — They are working.

Sentence analysis:

Savaktut — savak- = work;

-tut = they, three or more.

Siñiktuq. — He/she is sleeping.

Sentence analysis:

Siñiktuq — siñik- = sleep;

-tuq = he, she, or it.

Miquqtuk. — The two of them are sewing.

Sentence analysis:

Miquqtuk — miquq- = sew;

-tuk = the two of them.

Negative Statements

Building a Negative Verb

Formula: NEGATIVE VERB = ACTION BASE + -ŊIT (NOT) + ENDING FOR WHO DOES IT

Put -ŋit before the last ending to add not. The last ending still tells you who does the action.

Step 1: Start with the action base.

Step 2: Add -ŋit for not.

Step 3: Add the ending that matches the person or group.

Step 4: Check the finished spelling because letters can change where the pieces join.

Examples:

Iḷitchiŋitchutin. — You are not learning.

Sentence analysis:

Iḷitchiŋitchutin — iḷitchi- = learn;

-ŋit- = negative: not;

-chutin = you, one person.

Anniŋitchutin. — You do not get hurt.

Sentence analysis:

Anniŋitchutin — anniq- = get hurt;

-ŋit- = negative: not;

-chutin = you, one person.

It removes the final consonant and begins in its place.

Because anniq ends in q, remove q, then add -ŋit-: anni- + -ŋit- -> anniŋit-.

This rule belongs to -ŋit-; final q does not disappear before every suffix.

Kamiŋitchuq. — He/she did not put his/her boots on.

Sentence analysis:

Kamiŋitchuq — kamik- = put on boots;

-ŋit- = negative: not;

-chuq = he, she, or it.

It removes the final consonant and begins in its place.

Because kamik ends in k, remove k, then add -ŋit-: kami- + -ŋit- -> kamiŋit-.

This rule belongs to -ŋit-; final k does not disappear before every suffix.

Kataŋitchutin. — You did not fall off, drop down.

Sentence analysis:

Kataŋitchutin — katak- = fall or drop;

-ŋit- = negative: not;

-chutin = you, one person.

It removes the final consonant and begins in its place.

Because katak ends in k, remove k, then add -ŋit-: kata- + -ŋit- -> kataŋit-.

This rule belongs to -ŋit-; final k does not disappear before every suffix.

Savaŋitchuq. — He/she is not working.

Sentence analysis:

Savaŋitchuq — savak- = work;

-ŋit- = negative: not;

-chuq = he, she, or it.

It removes the final consonant and begins in its place.

Because savak ends in k, remove k, then add -ŋit-: sava- + -ŋit- -> savaŋit-.

This rule belongs to -ŋit-; final k does not disappear before every suffix.

Imiŋitchuq. — He/she is not drinking.

Sentence analysis:

Imiŋitchuq — imiq- = drink;

-ŋit- = negative: not;

-chuq = he, she, or it.

It removes the final consonant and begins in its place.

Because imiq ends in q, remove q, then add -ŋit-: imi- + -ŋit- -> imiŋit-.

This rule belongs to -ŋit-; final q does not disappear before every suffix.

Igaŋitchuq. — He/she is not cooking.

Sentence analysis:

Igaŋitchuq — iga- = cook;

-ŋit- = negative: not;

-chuq = he, she, or it.

Qiaŋitchuq. — He/she did not cry.

Sentence analysis:

Qiaŋitchuq — qia- = cry;

-ŋit- = negative: not;

-chuq = he, she, or it.

Questions

A yes-no question has a special ending. That ending tells you two things: this is a question, and the question is about I, you, one other person, two people, or a larger group.

Question Endings Show Who

Formula: BASE ENDING IN A VOWEL + V-ENDING | BASE ENDING IN A CONSONANT + P-ENDING

First look at the last letter of the action base. After a vowel, use the ending that begins with v. After a consonant, use the matching ending that begins with p. For one he, she, or it, use -va after a vowel and -pa after a consonant. For exactly two, use -vak or -pak. For three or more, use -vat or -pat.

Step 1: Find the action base and look at its last letter.

Step 2: If that letter is a, i, or u, choose the v-ending. Otherwise, choose the p-ending.

Step 3: Choose the complete form for the person or group you mean.

Step 4: Add a question mark to the complete written question.

Complete reference forms:

For I, look at the last letter of the action base. After a vowel, use kaŋiqsivik? It follows this pattern: base ends in a vowel + -vik. After a consonant, use taiguaqpik? It follows this pattern: base ends in a consonant + -pik.

For you, when speaking to one person, look at the last letter of the action base. After a vowel, use kaŋiqsiviñ? It follows this pattern: base ends in a vowel + -viñ. After a consonant, use taiguaqpiñ? It follows this pattern: base ends in a consonant + -piñ.

For he, she, or it, look at the last letter of the action base. After a vowel, use kaŋiqsiva? It follows this pattern: base ends in a vowel + -va. After a consonant, use taiguaqpa? It follows this pattern: base ends in a consonant + -pa.

For we, when exactly two people are included, look at the last letter of the action base. After a vowel, use kaŋiqsiviñuk? It follows this pattern: base ends in a vowel + -viñuk. After a consonant, use taiguaqpiñuk? It follows this pattern: base ends in a consonant + -piñuk.

For we, when three or more people are included, look at the last letter of the action base. After a vowel, use kaŋiqsivisa? It follows this pattern: base ends in a vowel + -visa. After a consonant, use taiguaqpisa? It follows this pattern: base ends in a consonant + -pisa.

For you, when speaking to exactly two people, look at the last letter of the action base. After a vowel, use kaŋiqsivisik? It follows this pattern: base ends in a vowel + -visik. After a consonant, use taiguaqpisik? It follows this pattern: base ends in a consonant + -pisik.

For you, when speaking to three or more people, look at the last letter of the action base. After a vowel, use kaŋiqsivisi? It follows this pattern: base ends in a vowel + -visi. After a consonant, use taiguaqpisi? It follows this pattern: base ends in a consonant + -pisi.

For they, when exactly two people are meant, look at the last letter of the action base. After a vowel, use kaŋiqsivak? It follows this pattern: base ends in a vowel + -vak. After a consonant, use taiguaqpak? It follows this pattern: base ends in a consonant + -pak.

For they, when three or more people are meant, look at the last letter of the action base. After a vowel, use kaŋiqsivat? It follows this pattern: base ends in a vowel + -vat. After a consonant, use taiguaqpat? It follows this pattern: base ends in a consonant + -pat.

Examples:

Niġiñiaqpisi? — Will you all be eating?

Sentence analysis:

Niġiñiaqpisi — niġi- = eat;

-niaq- = future: will;

-pisi = asks about you all, three or more people.

In niġi, the final i is the kind of i that changes the next n to ñ.

For that reason, the future piece -niaq- is written -ñiaq- here.

You cannot safely guess this from the letter i alone, because not every i causes the change;

learn the future form with the verb.

Tautukpa aŋutaiyaamik? — Does he/she see a boy?

Sentence analysis:

Tautukpa — tautuk- = see;

-pa = asks about he, she, or it.

aŋutaiyaamik — aŋutaiyaaq = boy;

-mik = a thing, material, or tool used in the action.

Rule for -mik: with the consonant-final noun pattern shown here, this case ending replaces the final consonant of the dictionary form.

Because aŋutaiyaaq ends in q, remove q first, then add -mik: aŋutaiyaa- + -mik -> aŋutaiyaamik.

Do this for -mik in this noun pattern;

do not remove final q before every ending.

Amaġuq niġiva? — Is the wolf eating?

Sentence analysis:

Amaġuq — amaġuq = wolf.

niġiva — niġi- = eat;

-va = asks about he, she, or it.

Anniqpak? — Did the two of them get hurt?

Sentence analysis:

Anniqpak — anniq- = get hurt;

-pak = asks about the two of them.

Kiñalu aġnaġlu qaivak? — Who is coming with the woman?

Sentence analysis:

Kiñalu — kiña = who;

-lu = and or also.

aġnaġlu — aġnaq = woman;

-lu = and or also.

Rule for -lu: when -lu follows a form ending in q, the final q weakens to ġ before l.

Therefore aġnaq + -lu -> aġnaġlu.

Use this q -> ġ change when -lu follows this q-final pattern;

do not apply it before every suffix.

qaivak — qai- = come;

-vak = asks about the two of them.

Makitpat? — Are they standing up?

Sentence analysis:

Makitpat — makit- = get up or stand;

-pat = asks about they, three or more.

Niġivat? — Are they eating?

Sentence analysis:

Niġivat — niġi- = eat;

-vat = asks about they, three or more.

Qaugaqaqpa? — Is there a duck?

Sentence analysis:

Qaugaqaqpa — qaugak = duck;

-qaq- = there is; -pa turns it into a yes-or-no question.

Joining rule for -qaq- in this noun pattern: when -qaq- follows the k-final noun qaugak, it uses the form without final k.

Remove k to get qauga-, then join qauga- + -qaq- + -pa -> Qaugaqaqpa?.

This deletion belongs to -qaq- here; k is not removed before every suffix.

In Qaugaqaqpa?, qaugak means duck, -qaq- adds there is, and -pa makes a question about one he, she, or it. Joining rule for -qaq- in this noun pattern: when -qaq- is added to the k-final noun qaugak, it uses the form without final k. Remove k to get qauga-, then add -qaq-: qauga- + -qaq- -> qaugaqaq-. This deletion belongs to the joining rule of -qaq- here; k is not deleted before every suffix. The whole word therefore means Is there a duck?

One-Person Yes-No Questions

Formula: BASE ENDING IN A VOWEL + -VIÑ? | BASE ENDING IN A CONSONANT + -PIÑ?

Use -viñ when the action base ends in a vowel. Use -piñ when it ends in a consonant. Both endings mean that the question is being asked about you, one person.

Step 1: Make sure you mean one person: you.

Step 2: Use -viñ after a vowel and -piñ after a consonant.

Step 3: Keep the final ñ in North Slope spelling.

Examples:

Aglaŋniaqpiñ? — Will you be writing?

Sentence analysis:

Aglaŋniaqpiñ — aglak- = write;

-niaq- = will; -piñ? asks one person.

Because aglak- ends in k, the future piece changes that k to ŋ: aglak- + -niaq- -> aglaŋniaq-.

This is a real -niaq- rule.

Aquvitpiñ? — Did you sit down?

Sentence analysis:

Aquvitpiñ — aquvit- = sit up or sit down. -piñ? asks one person.

Niġiviñ? — Are you eating?

Sentence analysis:

niġi- = eat; the base ends in a vowel. -viñ? = asks one person.

Kaŋiqsiviñ? — Do you understand?

Sentence analysis:

kaŋiqsi- = understand; the base ends in a vowel. -viñ? = asks one person.

Taiguaqpiñ? — Are you reading?

Sentence analysis:

taiguaq- = read; the base ends in a consonant. -piñ? = asks one person.

Asking and Answering Who Someone Is

Formula: IDENTITY QUESTION = KIÑA + U + VIÑ?

Kiña means who. Add -u- for be, and then add -viñ because you are asking one person. Use -piñ? when the base ends in a consonant and -viñ? when it ends in a vowel.

Step 1: Begin with kiña, who.

Step 2: Add -u- for be. The piece -u- has a replacement joining rule: after a consonant-final base, it removes that final consonant and begins in its place. This rule belongs to -u-; a final consonant is not removed before every vowel-initial piece.

Step 3: Add -viñ? as the one-person question ending.

Examples:

Kiñauviñ? — Who are you?

Sentence analysis:

kiña = who. -u- = be. -viñ? = asks one person.

Uyaġauruŋa. — I am Uyaġak.

Sentence analysis:

Uyaġak = a personal name;

-u- = be;

-ruŋa = I.

Replacement rule for -u-: after a consonant-final base, -u- removes the final consonant and takes its place.

Uyaġak ends in k, so remove k to get Uyaġa-.

Then Uyaġa- + -u- + -ruŋa gives Uyaġauruŋa.

This rule belongs to -u-;

do not remove k before every suffix that begins with a vowel.

Qunmiġuuruŋa. — I am Qunmiġu.

Sentence analysis:

Qunmiġu = a personal name. -u- = be. -ruŋa = I.

NOUNS FOR ONE, EXACTLY TWO, OR MORE

Iñupiaq uses different noun forms for one, exactly two, and three or more. It does not divide every noun into grammatical genders such as masculine and feminine.

A noun ending can also carry a small English meaning such as in, from, to, or with. You will learn these endings one at a time.

The Noun Shows How Many

Formula: NOUN = BASE + ENDING FOR ONE, EXACTLY TWO, OR THREE OR MORE

Singular means one, dual means exactly two, and plural normally means three or more. A basic singular noun such as aŋun, man, may have no added letters. Dual and plural nouns use different forms.

Step 1: Find the noun base.

Step 2: Check whether the meaning is one, exactly two, or three or more.

Step 3: Look at the finished word. Do not assume that every noun uses the same letters for two or more.

Examples:

aŋun — Man.

Sentence analysis:

aŋun — aŋun = man.

aapak — Two fathers.

Sentence analysis:

aapak — aapa = father;

-k = exactly two.

aŋutit — Men.

Sentence analysis:

aŋutit — aŋun = man;

-t = three or more.

Stem-specific joining form: before -t, aŋun uses aŋuti-.

Put that form and the ending together: aŋuti- + -t -> aŋutit.

The spelling of aŋun alone does not predict this change, so learn these two forms together: aŋun; aŋuti-.

Do not apply the same change automatically to other nouns.

aġnak — Two women.

Sentence analysis:

aġnak — aġnaq = woman;

-k = exactly two.

Number-ending rule: when a regular noun ends in a consonant, the ending for exactly two or for three or more replaces that final consonant.

Here aġnaq ends in q, so remove q before adding -k: aġna- + -k -> aġnak.

This replacement applies when making the number form; it is not a rule that every final consonant always disappears.

qallutit — Cups.

Sentence analysis:

qallutit — qallun = cup;

-t = three or more.

Stem-specific joining form: before -t, qallun uses qalluti-.

Put that form and the ending together: qalluti- + -t -> qallutit.

The spelling of qallun alone does not predict this change, so learn these two forms together: qallun; qalluti-.

Do not apply the same change automatically to other nouns.

iraa — His/her/its eye.

Sentence analysis:

iraa — iri = eye;

-a = his, her, or its.

Stem-specific joining form: before -a, iri uses ira- rather than its dictionary-form ending in i.

Thus ira- + -a -> iraa.

Not every final i changes to a;

learn this joining form with iri.

Saying In, From, and To

The Place Meaning Goes on the Noun

Formula: PLACE WORD = PLACE BASE + ENDING MEANING IN, FROM, OR TO

English puts words such as in, from, and to before a place. Iñupiaq usually adds that meaning to the end of the place word.

Step 1: Find the place noun.

Step 2: Choose whether you mean in, from, or to.

Step 3: Keep that ending attached to the place word.

Examples:

Iglumi savaktuq aŋutaiyaaq. — The boy is working in the house.

Sentence analysis:

Iglumi — iglu = house;

-mi = in, at, or on.

savaktuq — savak- = work;

-tuq = he, she, or it.

aŋutaiyaaq — aŋutaiyaaq = boy.

Siñiktuq tupiġmi. — He/she is sleeping in the tent.

Sentence analysis:

Siñiktuq — siñik- = sleep;

-tuq = he, she, or it.

tupiġmi — tupiq = tent;

-mi = in, at, or on.

Noun-class rule for the place endings -mi, -miñ, and -mun: tupiq belongs to the weakening class.

With a q-final noun in this class, these endings keep the final consonant but weaken q to ġ before their initial m.

Therefore tupiq + -mi becomes tupiġmi.

Aŋutaiyaaq aqpattuq tupiġmiñ. — The boy runs from the tent.

Sentence analysis:

Aŋutaiyaaq — aŋutaiyaaq = boy.

aqpattuq — aqpat- = run;

-tuq = he, she, or it.

tupiġmiñ — tupiq = tent;

-miñ = from; or than.

Noun-class rule for the place endings -mi, -miñ, and -mun: tupiq belongs to the weakening class.

With a q-final noun in this class, these endings keep the final consonant but weaken q to ġ before their initial m.

Therefore tupiq + -miñ becomes tupiġmiñ.

aviŋŋaġmiñ — From the lemming.

Sentence analysis:

aviŋŋaġmiñ — aviŋŋaq = lemming;

-miñ = from; or than.

Noun-class rule for the place endings -mi, -miñ, and -mun: aviŋŋaq belongs to the weakening class.

With a q-final noun in this class, these endings keep the final consonant but weaken q to ġ before their initial m.

Therefore aviŋŋaq + -miñ becomes aviŋŋaġmiñ.

Aŋutaiyaaq isiqtuq iglumun. — The boy goes into the house.

Sentence analysis:

Aŋutaiyaaq — aŋutaiyaaq = boy.

isiqtuq — isiq- = enter;

-tuq = he, she, or it.

iglumun — iglu = house;

-mun = to or toward.

tupiġmun — To the tent.

Sentence analysis:

tupiġmun — tupiq = tent;

-mun = to or toward.

Noun-class rule for the place endings -mi, -miñ, and -mun: tupiq belongs to the weakening class.

With a q-final noun in this class, these endings keep the final consonant but weaken q to ġ before their initial m.

Therefore tupiq + -mun becomes tupiġmun.

Using -mik

Using -mik for a Thing, Material, or Tool

Formula: ONE NOUN + -MIK = A THING, MATERIAL, OR TOOL USED IN THE ACTION

The ending -mik can mark a thing involved in the action. Depending on the sentence, English may translate it as some, with, or using.

Step 1: Find the noun ending in -mik.

Step 2: Ask what role that thing has in the action.

Step 3: Read the English sentence to choose some, with, using, or another natural wording.

Examples:

Tauqsiġñiaŋitchuk akłunaamik. — The two of them will not be buying some rope.

Sentence analysis:

Tauqsiġñiaŋitchuk — tauqsiq- = buy or shop;

-niaq- = future: will;

-ŋit- = negative: not;

-chuk = the two of them.

Here tauqsiq ends in q, so use ġ: tauqsiq + -niaq- -> tauqsiġñiaq-.

The n of -niaq- is written ñ in this complete form.

This n/ñ alternation belongs to the joining pattern of the particular stem shown here and cannot be predicted from final q alone; compare the finished source form and learn it with the verb.

Rule for future plus negative: -ŋit- is a replacing piece.

When it follows consonant-final -niaq-, it removes the final q of -niaq- and starts in that place: -niaq- + -ŋit- -> -niaŋit-.

This deletion occurs because of the joining rule of -ŋit-, not because every q disappears before another suffix.

akłunaamik — akłunaaq = rope;

-mik = a thing, material, or tool used in the action.

Rule for -mik: with the consonant-final noun pattern shown here, this case ending replaces the final consonant of the dictionary form.

Because akłunaaq ends in q, remove q first, then add -mik: akłunaa- + -mik -> akłunaamik.

Do this for -mik in this noun pattern;

do not remove final q before every ending.

iglumik — A house.

Sentence analysis:

iglumik — iglu = house;

-mik = a thing, material, or tool used in the action.

Tauqsiġñiaqpak akłunaamik? — Will the two of them be buying some rope?

Sentence analysis:

Tauqsiġñiaqpak — tauqsiq- = buy or shop;

-niaq- = future: will;

-pak = asks about the two of them.

Here tauqsiq ends in q, so use ġ: tauqsiq + -niaq- -> tauqsiġñiaq-.

The n of -niaq- is written ñ in this complete form.

This n/ñ alternation belongs to the joining pattern of the particular stem shown here and cannot be predicted from final q alone; compare the finished source form and learn it with the verb.

akłunaamik — akłunaaq = rope;

-mik = a thing, material, or tool used in the action.

Rule for -mik: with the consonant-final noun pattern shown here, this case ending replaces the final consonant of the dictionary form.

Because akłunaaq ends in q, remove q first, then add -mik: akłunaa- + -mik -> akłunaamik.

Do this for -mik in this noun pattern;

do not remove final q before every ending.

Tautuktuq iglumik. — He/she sees a house.

Sentence analysis:

Tautuktuq — tautuk- = see;

-tuq = he, she, or it.

iglumik — iglu = house;

-mik = a thing, material, or tool used in the action.

Niġiruq akutumik. — He/she eats Iñupiaq "ice cream".

Sentence analysis:

Niġiruq — niġi- = eat;

-ruq = he, she, or it.

akutumik — akutuq = akutuq, a traditional whipped-fat dish;

-mik = a thing, material, or tool used in the action.

Rule for -mik: with the consonant-final noun pattern shown here, this case ending replaces the final consonant of the dictionary form.

Because akutuq ends in q, remove q first, then add -mik: akutu- + -mik -> akutumik.

Do this for -mik in this noun pattern;

do not remove final q before every ending.

SHOWING THIS AND THAT

Iñupiaq does not use separate words that work exactly like English a, an, and the. The situation and pointing words such as this or that help show which person or thing is meant.

Examples:

aŋun — Man.

Sentence analysis:

aŋun — aŋun = man.

aġnaq — Woman.

Sentence analysis:

aġnaq — aġnaq = woman.

aiviq — Walrus.

Sentence analysis:

aiviq — aiviq = walrus.

tavsi — Belt.

Sentence analysis:

tavsi — tavsi = belt.

una qallun — This cup.

Sentence analysis:

una — una = this one.

qallun — qallun = cup.

Cultural Tip: Iñupiaq has a special form for exactly two people or things. Use the dual whenever the meaning is two.

Examples:

Aŋutik atuqtuk. — The two men are singing.

Sentence analysis:

Aŋutik — aŋun = man;

-k = exactly two.

Stem-specific joining form: before -k, aŋun uses aŋuti-.

Put that form and the ending together: aŋuti- + -k -> aŋutik.

The spelling of aŋun alone does not predict this change, so learn these two forms together: aŋun; aŋuti-.

Do not apply the same change automatically to other nouns.

atuqtuk — atuq- = sing;

-tuk = the two of them.

aapak — Two fathers.

Sentence analysis:

aapak — aapa = father;

-k = exactly two.

PRACTICE

1- Aġnaq __________.

2- Aŋutik __________.

3- Qimmiq __________.

4- __________ savaktuq aŋutaiyaaq.

5- Siñiktuq __________.

6- Aŋutaiyaaq aqpattuq __________.

7- Aŋutaiyaaq isiqtuq __________.

8- Niġiruq __________.

Word Card Challenge

Goal: Build a short statement or question and notice one simple change in number, sentence type, or place.

First arrange the word cards by finding the verb and its ending. Then make the requested change in number, sentence type, or place while keeping the rest of the sentence intact.

1- Put the word cards in order. Meaning: The man is Iñupiaq dancing. Cards: aŋayuruq. / Aŋun

2- Put the word cards in order. Meaning: The boy goes into the house. Cards: isiqtuq / iglumun. / Aŋutaiyaaq

Starting sentence: aŋun — Man.

Sentence analysis:

aŋun — aŋun = man.

3- Change one man to exactly two men. Target meaning: Two men. Write the complete sentence.

Starting sentence: Qiviaġniaqtuq. — He/she will turn his/her head to look.

Sentence analysis:

Qiviaġniaqtuq — qiviaq- = look back;

-niaq- = future: will;

-tuq = he, she, or it.

Here qiviaq ends in q, so use ġ: qiviaq + -niaq- -> qiviaġniaq-.

4- Change the future statement into a yes-no question. Target meaning: Will he/she turn his/her head to look? Write the complete sentence.

Starting sentence: Aŋutaiyaaq aqpattuq tupiġmiñ. — The boy runs from the tent.

Sentence analysis:

Aŋutaiyaaq — aŋutaiyaaq = boy.

aqpattuq — aqpat- = run;

-tuq = he, she, or it.

tupiġmiñ — tupiq = tent;

-miñ = from; or than.

Noun-class rule for the place endings -mi, -miñ, and -mun: tupiq belongs to the weakening class.

With a q-final noun in this class, these endings keep the final consonant but weaken q to ġ before their initial m.

Therefore tupiq + -miñ becomes tupiġmiñ.

5- Keep the first place phrase and add the destination word. Target meaning: The boy runs from the tent to the house. Write the complete sentence.

Make Your Own Two Sentences

Task: Write one short statement and one short question about a person, animal, or everyday action.

1- Sentence 1:

2- Sentence 2:

Check: Does the statement have a statement ending? Does the question have a question ending and a question mark? If you used a place word, does its ending give the meaning you wanted?