Directions

1. Olgeš guvlui

   To the right

   Usage

   To indicate a turn or direction to the right

   Grammar Note

   Adjective olgeš "right" + guvlui "toward". The same wording appears in sentences about turning right

2. Gurut guvlui

   To the left

   Usage

   To indicate a turn or direction to the left

   Grammar Note

   Composed sentence from known words and a known pattern. Olgeš guvlui "to the right" with gurut "left" in place of olgeš

3. Ovddosguvlui

   Forward (straight ahead)

   Usage

   Point to it to say keep going

   Grammar Note

   Adverb made of ovddos "forward" + guvlui "toward". Another word, njuolga, means "directly, straight"

4. Ruovttoluotta

   Back (go back)

   Usage

   Point to it to say you want to go back

   Grammar Note

   An adverb for going back to a previous place. Ruoktot is also used for "homeward, back"

5. davvi

   North

   Usage

   A compass direction, for matching a map or sign

   Grammar Note

   A noun; North Sami has no gender or articles. It also appears in place names such as Davvinjárga (North Cape)

6. lulli

   South

   Usage

   A compass direction, for matching a map or sign

   Grammar Note

   A noun; North Sami has no gender or articles. Máddi is another word for south

7. nuorta

   East

   Usage

   A compass direction, for matching a map or sign

   Grammar Note

   A noun; North Sami has no gender or articles. It changes with case to mean "to the east" or "from the east"

8. oarji

   West

   Usage

   A compass direction, for matching a map or sign

   Grammar Note

   A noun; North Sami has no gender or articles. In running text the locative oarjin means "in the west"

9. Man guhkkin dat lea?

   How far away is it?

   Usage

   For asking how far a place is

   Grammar Note

   Composed sentence from known words and a known pattern. The pattern man guhkkin … lea means "how far away is …". Guhkkin is the adverb "far away"

10. Dat lea lahka

    It is near

    Usage

    To say something is close. The opposite is Dat lea guhkkin

    Grammar Note

    Composed sentence from known words and a known pattern. Lahka is the adverb "near"

11. Dat lea guhkkin

    It is far

    Usage

    To say something is far. The opposite is Dat lea lahka

    Grammar Note

    Composed sentence from known words and a known pattern. Guhkkin is the adverb "far away"

12. Čájet munnje kárttas

    Show me on the map

    Usage

    When words fail, to ask someone to show the place on a map

    Grammar Note

    Composed sentence from known words and a known pattern. Kárttas is the locative of kárta "map", meaning "on the map". The map is also spelt gárta

13. kárta

    Map

    Usage

    For asking for a map or showing yours

    Grammar Note

    A noun; North Sami has no gender or articles. The spelling gárta also occurs; kárta is used here

14. guovddáš

    Centre

    Usage

    Used for the centre of a place; it also forms compounds

    Grammar Note

    A noun; North Sami has no gender or articles. The illative guovddážii means "to the centre"

15. Gos mun lean?

    Where am I?

    Usage

    When lost, to ask where you are

    Grammar Note

    Composed sentence from known words and a known pattern. Lean is the 1sg of leat. For two people both pronoun and verb take dual forms

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