Emergency

1. Veahkki!

   Help!

   Usage

   A single word to shout for help from people nearby when in danger or taken ill

   Grammar Note

   The noun veahkki means "help" and also works as an interjection, so it is shouted on its own. For a calmer request use Mun dárbbašan veahki ("I need help")

2. Várut!

   Watch out!

   Usage

   A one-word warning of danger right in front of someone. Also used for everyday hazards such as hot coffee or slippery stones

   Grammar Note

   This is the imperative addressed to one person. Forms for two or more addressees differ and are not given here

3. Buollin!

   Fire!

   Usage

   Shout to announce a fire in a building or vehicle. buollin names a fire as an event

   Grammar Note

   The noun buollin is derived from buollit "to burn" and means a fire as an event. It is different from dolla, which is fire or a bonfire itself

4. Suola!

   Thief!

   Usage

   Shout after a theft to alert people around you. It works for a thief of any gender

   Grammar Note

   The noun suola means "thief" and shares its root with the verb suoládit "to steal". North Sami nouns have no gender

5. Gos lea doavttir?

   Where is a doctor?

   Usage

   Ask where a doctor can be found when you feel unwell

   Grammar Note

   Pattern Gos lea …? with the question word first. Composed sentence: built from dictionary words by the regular rules and not yet checked by a native speaker

6. Gos lea lagamus buohcceviessu?

   Where is the nearest hospital?

   Usage

   When you need to find a hospital quickly after illness or injury

   Grammar Note

   Same pattern as asking for the nearest bus stop; lagamus means "nearest". buohcceviessu is a compound of "sick people" and "house". Composed sentence: built from dictionary words by the regular rules and not yet checked by a native speaker

7. Gos lea ambassáda?

   Where is the embassy?

   Usage

   Ask the way to an embassy when you need consular help, for example after losing a passport

   Grammar Note

   ambassáda is a loanword. Composed sentence: built from dictionary words by the regular rules and not yet checked by a native speaker

8. Mus lea oaivebávččas

   I have a headache

   Usage

   Describe a symptom to a doctor or pharmacist. Pains are expressed with Mus lea …bávččas

   Grammar Note

   Possession and symptoms are expressed as "at me is …" (Mus lea …); "my foot hurts" appears as Mus lea juolgi bávččas. Composed sentence: built from dictionary words by the regular rules and not yet checked by a native speaker

9. Biilalihkohisvuohta dáhpáhuvai

   A car accident has happened

   Usage

   Report that an accident has occurred, in a single clause

   Grammar Note

   Compound of biila "car" and lihkohisvuohta "accident"; dáhpáhuvvat means "to happen". Composed sentence: built from dictionary words by the regular rules and not yet checked by a native speaker

10. Lihkohisvuohta

    Accident

    Usage

    The word for an accident itself, used when reporting or explaining one

    Grammar Note

    A noun; the variant spelling lihkuhisvuohta also exists. A car accident is formed by prefixing a word, as in biilalihkohisvuohta

11. Ambulánsa

    Ambulance

    Usage

    A word to tell bystanders that an ambulance is needed

    Grammar Note

    A loanword from Norwegian; the compound buohccebiila ("sick-people car") is also listed

12. Dulka

    Interpreter

    Usage

    The word to ask for an interpreter at a police station or hospital

    Grammar Note

    A noun, from the same root as the verb dulkot "to interpret, translate"

13. Mun bivddán du vuolgit dál

    I ask you to leave now

    Usage

    Tell a persistent person plainly that you want them to leave

    Grammar Note

    Literally "I ask you to leave now". North Sami has no polite/informal split of "you", so the sentence is firm but not rude

Browse all TravelPhrases languages