-neq

Greenlandic

Pronunciation

Suffix

-neq (v-n?, additive?)

  1. substantival suffix, makes abstract nouns out of verbs
    ikinngut (friend) > ikinngutigiipput (they are friends) > ikinngutigiinneq (friendship)

Usage notes

This suffix is often called the "abstract participle", because it can create abstract nouns out of verbs. It also behaves in the following ways with other suffixes:

  • With -u (to be): -neq + -u becomes -neru, e.g. pit
  • When used with possessive endings it means "the [verb]ing of the possessor"
  • With -ssaq (future) and a possessive ending it means "to possessor's [verb]ing"
  • With a possessive locative ending it means "while", e.g. nerinisinni ("while we eat"), and if preceded by -nngit (negative) it means "before", e.g. nerinnginnitsinni ("before we eat").

Derived terms

Suffix

-neq (v-n?, additive?)

  1. more, the most [verb]ing
    pissaavoq (be strong) -> pissaaneq (strongest)

References