Photography

9 phrases · Northern Sami with romanization, English and audio

  1. Sáhtán go govvet dáppe?

    May I take a photo here?

    Usage

    To ask on the spot whether you may take a photo

    Grammar Note

    Composed sentence from known words and a known pattern. The permission pattern Sáhtán go + infinitive. Govvet means "to take photographs". For two speakers use the dual moai, for three or more mii, and the verb changes too (only the singular is given here)

  2. Sáhtán go govvet du?

    May I take a photo of you?

    Usage

    Always ask before photographing a person; the same form works with anyone

    Grammar Note

    Composed sentence from known words and a known pattern. The permission pattern. Du is the accusative of don "you", identical to the genitive. There is no polite/informal "you"; for two or more people the form changes. For two speakers use the dual moai, for three or more mii, and the verb changes too (only the singular is given here)

  3. Dát oainnus lea hui čáppat!

    This view is very beautiful!

    Usage

    To praise a scenic view

    Grammar Note

    Composed sentence from known words and a known pattern. "A is B" is A lea B. Oainnus, built on the idea of "what can be seen", means a view

  4. Gos lea buoremus báiki govvet?

    Where is the best place to take photos?

    Usage

    To ask locals for the best photo spot

    Grammar Note

    Composed sentence from known words and a known pattern. The question word gos comes first. Buoremus is the superlative of buorre "good" and stands before the noun. The infinitive govvet gives the purpose "to photograph"

  5. govva

    Picture, image

    Usage

    Basic word for a picture or an image

    Grammar Note

    Noun. The accusative plural is govaid; the compound fotogovva "photograph" also exists

  6. kámera

    Camera

    Usage

    Word to show when talking about or lending a camera

    Grammar Note

    Noun. The compound govvenapparáhta also exists

  7. báhtter

    Battery

    Usage

    Word to show when talking about a camera battery

    Grammar Note

    Noun. The spelling batteriija also occurs

  8. čuovga

    Light

    Usage

    Word for talking about light when taking photos

    Grammar Note

    Noun. Matches Norwegian lys

  9. oainnus

    View

    Usage

    Word for talking about a view

    Grammar Note

    Noun. Dictionaries also list an adjective sense "easy to see"

More Northern Sami phrases

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