Learn Inuttitut: Lydia's Lesson

Welcome to Lydia's Lesson! This lesson with Inuttitut words and audio comes from Lydia Tuglavina and will help you learn some basic vocabulary, as well as some short phrases. As you go along, make sure to listen to the audio of each example by clicking on the . Practice repeating what you hear. This will help you learn the Labrador writing system as well. Don't forget that Inuttitut makes a sound contrast between the double and single letters. Compare mamattuk with atummata.

palangaiven
Did you lock it?
palangaikKauvunga
I locked it
palangaijuk
It's locked
puiguvunga
I forgot
puigunginnaKattavunga
I always forget
tâtsuminga
this one
isik
smoke
uKâlammata
when they speak
atummata
when they use (something)
agganginnik
their hands [mik case]
pâni
over there
pâni pâni
way over there
maunga
this direction
Kuvianamek
It's fun
mânni / tamânni
right here / right there near you
Kiujanattuk
It's cold, e.g. outside (a place)
nigumittuk
It's warm, e.g. a kettle (a thing)
nillanattuk
It's cool/cold (outside)
nillanattovâ
'Is it cold?'
onattuk
hot (to touch)
atattâ
'It's hot!' [expression of pain]
ningiuk
'old woman'
ningiungugama
'because I am an old woman'
vogiulauttumi
last week
ânniasiupvik
hospital
ânniasiutik
doctor
paitsijik
nurse
unuttut
many
mamattuk
delicious
imikuluk
soft drink (pop)
niaKojak
bread (loaf kind)
taimâtsainak
the same manner (way)
tajak
wrist watch
sittontik
hour
atautsik
one
maggok
two
pingasut
three
sitamat
four

Fantastic! You are getting more familiar to listening and pronouncing Inuttitut and you have learned new words. Make sure to keep practicing these words and phrases out loud until you can say them without reading them (and know what they mean). You are off to a good start. Maybe you will find a chance today to use one of your new words!