ᓇᒡᓕᒋᕙᒋᑦ
naclicifacit
The English phrase "I love you" is translated into Inuktitut as ᓇᒡᓕᒋᕙᒋᑦ (naclicifacit).
This phrase is used as an affirmation of romantic feeling.
Meaning: affirmation of romantic feeling (phrase)
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix -it at the end of the word specifically targets a single person (you), making it appropriate for a one-on-one romantic or close personal context.
How do you pronounce it?
naclicifacit
Did you know?
- The phrase ᓇᒡᓕᒋᕙᒋᑦ is written in Canadian Aboriginal syllabics, a writing system based on shapes that represent consonant-vowel combinations. This system was adapted from Cree to help preserve the language in written form.
- While English uses 'love' for both a pizza and a spouse, using this specific Inuktitut form for inanimate objects would be grammatically and culturally jarring. It is strictly reserved for living beings and deeply meaningful connections.
- Because Inuktitut is a polysynthetic language, 'i love you' is often treated as a single, complex verb rather than a sentence of separate words like in English. The entire sentiment is captured in one long, interconnected word.
Examples in context
- ᓇᒡᓕᒋᕙᒋᑦ.nagligivagit.I love you.
- ᐊᑯᓇ, ᓇᒡᓕᒋᕙᒋᑦ.Akuna, nagligivagit.Akuna, I love you.
Example conversation
A couple is saying goodbye before work.
- ᓴᕋ Saraᓇᒡᓕᒋᕙᒋᑦ, ᐊᑯᓇ.Nagligivagit, Akuna.I love you, Akuna.
- ᐊᑯᓇ Akunaᓇᒡᓕᒋᕙᒋᑦ ᓴᕋ.Nagligivagit Sara.I love you, Sara.
- ᓴᕋ Saraᖃᖓ ᓄᓇᕐᔪᐊᓂ?Qanga nunarjua-ni?When will you be back?
- ᐊᑯᓇ Akunaᐅᓪᓗᒥ ᐅᓐᓄᒃᑯᑦ.Ullumi unnukkut.Tonight.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I love you” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
