Basic Words

1. Juo

   Yes

   Usage

   The word for answering "yes" to a question

   Grammar Note

   The same form juo is also the adverb "already". "No" is ii. North Sami has neither articles nor grammatical gender

2. Ii

   No

   Usage

   The word for answering "no" to a question

   Grammar Note

   Ii is also the 3rd person singular of the negative verb that is used inside negated sentences. The 1st person is in and the 2nd person is it

3. Giitu

   Thank you

   Usage

   The basic word of thanks. For more emphasis say Ollu giitu

   Grammar Note

   Giitu is the noun "thanks"; the verb is giitit "to thank". It does not mean "please". Stress falls on the first syllable

4. Ándagassii

   Excuse me

   Usage

   Used to get someone's attention or to apologise lightly

   Grammar Note

   A fixed form: the illative ("to") of the noun ándagas "forgiveness". The letter á is an open a sound

5. Bivddán ándagassii

   Sorry

   Usage

   Used to apologise. Literally "I ask for forgiveness"

   Grammar Note

   The verb bivdit means "to ask" but also "to fish" or "to hunt". The subject mun is dropped. When several people apologise together the verb form changes

6. Mun in ádde

   I don't understand

   Usage

   When you did not understand what was said. The pronoun mun may be dropped (In ádde)

   Grammar Note

   Negation uses a conjugated negative verb (in / it / ii …) followed by the main verb in a fixed form, similar to Finnish en / et / ei. With two or more speakers the negative verb changes form

7. Mun ipmirdan

   I understand

   Usage

   When you have understood what was said. The pronoun mun may be dropped

   Grammar Note

   The 1st person singular of ipmirdit "to understand"; áddet is a synonym. With a plural or dual subject the ending changes

8. Mun dárbbašan veahki

   I need help

   Usage

   When asking for help. The pronoun mun may be dropped

   Grammar Note

   The object veahki is in the accusative (same form as the genitive); the base form is veahkki, where consonant gradation weakens kk to k

9. Máhtát go eŋgelasgiela?

   Do you speak English?

   Usage

   Asks whether someone speaks English; literally "do you know English". North Sami has no polite/informal "you", so it suits anyone

   Grammar Note

   Composed sentence from known words and a known pattern. A yes/no question puts the particle go after the verb, and the language name stands in the accusative (same as the genitive). Asking two people needs dual forms, not given here

10. Mun máhtán veahá sámegiela

    I speak a little Sami

    Usage

    Tells someone your level. Literally "I know a little Sami"

    Grammar Note

    Composed sentence from known words and a known pattern. The language name is in the accusative. "Sami language" is sámegiella; outdated outside names such as "Lapp" are not used. For several speakers the verb form changes

11. dát

    This

    Usage

    Points to something near the speaker

    Grammar Note

    Dát is near, dat is further, duot is far. The same word can stand as "this" (pronoun) or "this" (determiner). The á is an open a

12. dat

    That

    Usage

    Points to something near the listener or already mentioned

    Grammar Note

    Dat is "that/it" for things; "he/she" is son. There is no gender distinction

13. duot

    That over there

    Usage

    Points to something far from both speaker and listener

    Grammar Note

    Distance scale: dát, dat, duot. It works well together with pointing

14. dáppe

    Here

    Usage

    Adverb for the place where you are

    Grammar Note

    "There" is doppe. The form dás also means "here". Stress is on the first syllable

15. doppe

    There

    Usage

    Adverb for a place away from you

    Grammar Note

    "Here" is dáppe. The pp is a long consonant, held longer than a short p

16. mun

    I / me

    Usage

    First person singular pronoun. It is often dropped because the verb ending shows the person

    Grammar Note

    For two people use moai; for three or more use mii (which also means "what")

17. don

    You

    Usage

    Second person singular pronoun, used with anyone

    Grammar Note

    North Sami has no polite/informal split for "you". For two people use doai; for three or more use dii

18. ovttas

    Together

    Usage

    Adverb for doing something together

    Grammar Note

    As an adverb it does not change form. The stem ovt- is related to the numeral okta "one"

19. Doarvái

    That's enough

    Usage

    Said when you have enough or want no more

    Grammar Note

    An adverb. "I have enough" is Mus lea doarvái. Stress is on the first syllable

20. Dalán

    Right now

    Usage

    Adverb for something to be done immediately

    Grammar Note

    Plain "now" is dál; dalán is closer to "immediately"

21. Okta olmmoš

    One person

    Usage

    For stating the number of people. Okta is the numeral one

    Grammar Note

    The noun is in the nominative singular. With larger numbers the noun case changes with the numeral. There are also group-count words: Guovttis (two) and Golmmas (three)

22. Guovttis

    Two people

    Usage

    Says that there are two of you. "The two of us" is moai guovttis

    Grammar Note

    A group-count noun built from the numeral guokte "two". North Sami has a dual number, so pairs use dual pronouns

23. Golmmas

    Three people

    Usage

    Says that there are three of you

    Grammar Note

    A group-count noun built from the numeral golbma "three". Groups of three or more use the plural pronouns mii / dii / sii

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