ᖃᓄᐃᑉᐱᑦ?
qanuippit?
In Inuktitut, "how are you?" is said as ᖃᓄᐃᑉᐱᑦ? (qanuippit?)
ᖃᓄᐃᑉᐱᑦ? is a common greeting used to ask someone about their current well-being or state of mind.
How does it change in a sentence?
ᖃᓄᐃᑉᐱᑦ? is the singular form used when addressing one person.
How do you pronounce it?
qanuippit?
Did you know?
- Inuktitut is a polysynthetic language, meaning a single word like ᖃᓄᐃᑉᐱᑦ? can function as an entire sentence by adding suffixes to a root.
- Inuktitut uses a writing system called syllabics, where the characters for ᖃᓄᐃᑉᐱᑦ? represent whole syllables rather than individual letters.
- While English speakers often use 'how are you?' as a passing formality without expecting a real answer, an Inuktitut speaker might provide a more substantive update on their actual state.
Examples in context
- ᖃᓄᐃᑉᐱᑦ?Qanuippit?How are you?
Example conversation
Two friends meet on a walking path.
- ᐊᑯᓇ Akunaᖃᓄᐃᑉᐱᑦ, ᐊᓇᓇ?Qanuippit, Anana?How are you, Anana?
- ᐊᓇᓇ Ananaᖃᓄᐃᙱᓗᒍ, ᐊᑯᓇ.Qanuingnilugu, Akuna.I am fine, Akuna.
- ᐊᑯᓇ Akunaᖁᔭᓐᓇᐤᒃ.Qujannaq.Thank you.
- ᐊᓇᓇ Ananaᐊᑕᐅᓯᖅ ᖃᓄᐃᑉᐱᑦ?Atausiq qanuippit?How are you doing today?
