TELLING TIME
To tell time in Inuktitut, we use to affixes that are normally used to describe motion:
-miinngaaq- we have already seen in expressions, such as:
| niuvirvimmiingaaqtuq |
He is coming from the store. |
-muuq- is a very common affix used to talk about going someplace or getting to someplace:
| Panniqtuumuuqtuq |
He is going to Panniqtuuq. |
On the hour, use
-muuq-:
| uamuuqtuq |
It's one o'clock. |
| tuumuuuqtuq |
It's two o'clock. |
Remember that when -muuq is added to a stem that ends with a consonant, it deletes the final consonant:
| uan + muuq + tuq = uamuuqtuq |
Anytime between the beginning of the hour until half past the hour, use
-miinngaaq +
-liq. (
-liq is an affix used to express something that is happening right now. it deletes the consonant that comes before it).
| uammiinngaaliqtuq |
It is now a quarter after one. |
| tuumiinngaaliqtuq |
It is now ten after two. |
| tuajumiinngaaliqtuq |
It is now twenty-five after twelve. |
| tuumiinngaaliqtuq |
It is now a half past two. |
Anytime after the half hour and before the next hour: use
-muuq +
-liq
| tuumuuliqtuq |
It is now twenty to two. |
| iliapamuuliqtuq |
It is now quarter to eleven. |
| iimuuliqtuq |
It is now five to eight. |
| tuajumuuliqtuq |
It is now twenty-five to twelve. |
Note the three expressions used for asking about the time in the past, present and future
| qatsimuuqqa? |
What time is it?
|
| qatsimuuqqat niriniaqqit? |
What time are you going to eat?
|
| qatsimi niriqqauvit?
|
When (what time) did you eat?
|