-neq

Greenlandic

Pronunciation

• (Nuuk) IPA^(key): /-niq/, [-nɜq]

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

Greenlandic terms suffixed with -neq

Suffix

-neq (v-n^?, additive^?)

1. more, the most [verb]ing

   pissaavoq (“be strong”) -> pissaaneq (“strongest”)

References

• Lybech, S. (2020) A List of Greenlandic Affixes, oqa.dk
• Vestgrønlands Grammatik, p. 140, F.A.J. Nielsen, 2014
• -neq in Katersat