Notes on Inuktitut Pronunciation
There are some sounds in Inuktitut that may be unfamiliar to English speakers. The pronunciations below convey those sounds in the following ways:
• A double vowel (e.g., aa, ee) lengthens the vowel sound.
• Capitalized letters denote the emphasis for each word.
• ŋ is a sound similar to the “ng” in the word “sing.”
• q is a “uvular” sound, a sound that comes from the very back of the throat. This is distinct from the sound for k, which is the same as a typical English “k” sound (known as a “velar” sound).
• R is a rolled “r” sound.
• ll is a rolled “l” sound.
The diagram below shows the place of articulation (the origin of the sound in the mouth) for each Inuktitut sound.
| Inuktitut Term | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| a’liarusiq | a’-LIA-ru-siq | a race of gnome-like beings |
| Aagjuuk | aag-JUUK | the name of a woman who inhabits the moon and carries an ulu, which she uses to disembowel people who laugh at her |
| aakuluk | AA-ku-look | dear |
| Aapak | AA-pak | name |
| Aasivak | AA-si-vak | mythological being that is an ancient spider in human form |
| aasivarluut | aa-si-var-LUUT | a rare species of giant spider that inhabits the Arctic |
| aglu | AG-lu | seal breathing hole |
| agluit | AG-loo-it | seal breathing holes |
| Ahungahungaaq | A-hu-nga-hu-NGAAQ | The name of a giant. Directly translates as “the one who looks like a hoodoo (rock formation).” |
| ai | ai | greeting |
| aijaijaa | ai-YAI-ya | a traditional musical refrain |
| aik | aik | brother-in-law to a sister-in-law, or vice versa |
| aiqqatik | aiq-QA-tik | a pair of mitts (this term is in Inuktun, a language spoken by Inughuit in northwest Greenland) |
| ajai | a-YAI | whoa |
| ajaraaq | a-ya-RAAQ | string game |
| akla | AK-tla | Inuktitut word for “grizzly bear” |
| aktlarjuk | ak-TLAR-juk | grizzly bear being (in a string game) |
| Akuluk | AAH-ko-look | name meaning “the loved one” |
| alianait | a-LI-A-na-it | expression of joy |
| aluut | a-LUUT | a ladle for liquids |
| amajuqsuit | a-ma-yuq-SUIT | a race of ogresses that catch people and carry them away in baskets on their backs |
| amajuqsuk | a-ma-YUQ-suk | singular of “amajuqsuit” |
| Amaruq | a-MA-ruq | name; also means “wolf” |
| Amarualik | a-ma-RUA-lik | name |
| amaruq | a-MA-ruq | Inuktitut word for “wolf.” In Greenland, this term is also used to describe a huge, wolf-like creature with magical powers. |
| amarurluut | a-ma-rur-LOOT | a race of ancient and savage wolves that can assume human form |
| amaruujaq | a-ma-RUU-yaq | wolf game |
| amauligaq | a-MAU-li-gaq | snow bunting |
| amauq | a-MAUQ | great-grandparent |
| amautaliit | a-mau-ta-LEET | a race of ogresses who wander the tundra looking for children to snatch |
| amautalik | a-MAU-ta-lik | singular of “amautaliit” |
| amauti | a-MOW-ti | woman’s parka with a pouch for carrying a child |
| amautiit | a-MAU-tit | plural of “amauti” |
| amautik | a-MOW-tick | the pouch in the back of a woman’s parka where a baby can be carried |
| Anaana | a-NAA-na | Mother |
| anaanaapiingai | a-naa-naa-PII-ngai | “Hello, my beloved mother.” |
| anaanangai | a-naa-NAA-ngai | “Hello, my dear mother.” |
| anaanatsiaq | a-NAA-nat-si-aq | grandmother |
| anaanattiaq | a-NAA-nat-siaq | grandmother (Inuinnaqtun) |
| angaju | a-ŊA-yu | older brother |
| angakkuit | a-NGAK-kuit | shamans (plural) |
| angakkuq | a-NGAK-kuq | shaman (singular) |
| Angijuuliruma maliqattalaaramali. | A-ŋi-JOO-li-ru-ma ma-li-qat-ta-laa-ra-ma-li | I’m going to take part in a trip (hunt). |
| Angugaattiaq | a-ngu-GAAT-tiaq | name |
| angula- | A-ngu-la- | to chew on skin to soften it with one’s teeth (verb root) |
| Anguti | A-ngu-ti | name; also means man |
| angutiqatigiit | a-ngu-ti-qa-ti-GEET | cousins whose fathers are brothers |
| Anigit! | a-NE-git | Get out! |
| aniksaq | a-NIK-saq | the term a female cousin would use to address her male cousin in South Baffin/Nunavik |
| anikuluk | a-NI-ku-look | brother |
| Aningaapajukkaq | A-ni-NGAA-pa-juk-kaq | An ogre-like being said to have created char. Translates as “one that keeps going out.” |
| Anirniq | a-NIR-niq | name |
| Anitsaarualuk qaigit! | a-NIT-sa-RUA-look, QAI-git | My cousin, come back! |
| anuri | a-NU-ri | wind |
| Anurirjuaq | a-nu-RIR-juaq | great wind |
| Apisinaasi | A-pi-si-NAA-si | name for the father of the woman known as Qimmiit Arnangat |
| Apita | a-PI-ta | name |
| appaqsuit | ap-PAQ-suit | murres (Inuktun) |
| aqpiit | AQ-peet | cloudberries, sometimes called the “orange raspberries of the North” |
| aqpik | AQ-pik | cloudberry (singular) |
| arnaqatigiit | ar-na-qa-ti-GEET | cousins whose mothers are sisters |
| arnaqsiuqti | ar-naq-SIUQ-ti | women-seeker |
| arnaqsiuqtit | ar-naq-SIUQ-tit | plural of “arnaqsiuqti” |
| Arnariinaq | aR-na-REE-naq | name |
| Arnatsiaq | ar-NAT-siaq | name, inspired by a prominent family from Iglulik, Nunavut |
| arnavik | AR-nar-vik | mother’s sister (aunt) in Amitturmiut/Kivalliq |
| Arngarnasat | A-RNGAR-na-sat | a place name from the South Baffin region |
| arngasiuti | A-rnga-SIU-ti | a member of a strange tribe said to live near the treeline |
| ataata | a-TAA-ta | father |
| ataatatsiaq | a-TAA-tat-si-aq | grandfather |
| atausiq | a-TOW-siq | one |
| atigi | a-TI-gi | coat or parka (singular) |
| atii | a-TEE | come on |
| Atiq | A-tiq | name, meaning “name” |
| Atiqanngituq | a-ti-QANG-ngit-tuq | name, meaning “nameless” |
| atsiaq | at-SIAQ | one who is called after/named after |
| Aujuittuup Inukpasugjungit | au-yuit-TUUP i-NUK-pa-sug-ju-ngit ee-newk-pa-soog-yoo-ngeet | giants from a place that never melts (plural) |
| Aukataalungani! | au-ka-TAA-loo-ŋa-ni | Oh my goodness! |
| Ava | A-va | shore spirit |
| Avani! | A-va-ni | Go away! |
| avappasugjuk | a-VAP-pa-SUG-juk | eater of human flesh |
| avati | a-VA-ti | ecology |
| Avvajja | av-VAJ-jah | place name |
| avvaq | AV-vaq | a term used for two people named after the same person |
| hai | hi | “what?” |
| hikhigalik | hik-HI-ga-lik | a parka made from the skin of a ground squirrel (Inuinnaqtun) |
| hikhik | HIK-hik | ground squirrel (Inuinnaqtun) |
| iga | I-ga | stone cooking platform |
| Igalik | i-GA-lik | an ogress that carries a cooking pot |
| iggaak | ig-GAAK | snow goggles |
| igimaq | i-GI-maq | specialized spear |
| iglu | IG-loo | snow house (singular) |
| igluit | IG-loo-it | snow houses (plural) |
| Iglulik | ig-LU-lik | a town in Nunavut, meaning “where there are igluit” |
| igunaq | i-GU-naq | fermented walrus meat |
| ii | ee | yes |
| Ijimagasugjugjuaq | E-ye-ma-ga-soog-jug- jwak | the name of a legendary cannibal |
| ijiqqan | i-YIQ-qan | A race of human-like creatures that become invisible. (Advanced way of saying “ijirait.”) |
| Ijiqqat | i-JIQ-qat | those who hide (the root word “ijiq” means “to hide”) |
| ijirat | e-YE-rat | shadow people |
| ijiraujaq | e-yi-ROW-yaq | zombie |
| Ijiraujaq qukiqtara | e-yi-ROW-yaq qu-kiq-ta-ra | I shot a zombie |
| ijiraujat | e-yi-ROW-yat | zombies |
| Ikkii | ik-KEY | name, meaning “it’s cold” |
| iksarvik | ik-SAR-vik | breakwater |
| Inu | I-nu | name |
| inua | I-nua | a being or spirit attached to some thing, sky, or wind |
| inugagulliq | e-NOO-ga-gul-liq | little person (Nunavik dialect) |
| inugagulliit | e-NOO-ga-gul-leet | little people |
| Inugaruligasugjuit | i-nu-ga-RUL-li-ga-SUG-juit | lesser giants (plural); larger than a man, but smaller than a true giant |
| Inugarulligaarjuit | e-nu-ga-Rul-li-GAAR-ju-it | mythological race of little people |
| inuarugligaarjuk | i-nu-ga-rul-li-GAAR-juk | singular of “inugarulligaarjuit” |
| inugarulligasugjuit | i-nu-ga-RUL-li-ga-SUG-juit | The Inuktitut term used to describe “lesser giants.” These beings would be like huge men and women. |
| Inugarulligasuksuk | i-nu-ga-rul-li-ga-SUK-suk | the proper name of one of the great giants (Greenlandic dialect) |
| inugarulligaq | i-NU-ga-rul-LI-gaq | same meaning as “inugarulligaarjuk” |
| inugarulligat | i-NU-ga-rul-LI-gat | same meaning as “inugarulligaarjuit” |
| inugarullikkat | i-NU-ga-rul-LIK-kat | a race of dwarves from Greenland |
| Inuinnaqtun | I-NUIN-naq-tun | a dialect of the Inuit language, spoken mostly in the Kitikmeot area (central part of Nunavut) |
| Inuit | I-nuit | plural noun meaning “the people”; a group of Indigenous peoples from the Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland |
| Inujjuarmiuq | e-nooj-joo-AR-me-ooq | person from Inujjuak (singular) |
| Inujjuarmiut | e-nooj-joo-AR-me-oot | people from Inujjuak (plural) |
| Inuk | I-nuk | singular of “Inuit” |
| Inukpasugjuit | e-NOOK-pa-SOOG-ju-it | mythological race of great giants, can be massive, nearly the size of mountains |
| inuksuit | e-NOOK-su-it | plural of “inuksuk” |
| inuksuk | e-NOOK-sook | rock cairn used to aid hunters and indicate direction |
| Inuktitut | e-NOOK-ti-toot | Inuit language, when using or referring to a specific dialect |
| Inuktut | e-NOOK-toot | Inuit language, when referring to all dialects of Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun |
| inukpak | i-NUK-pak | a term used to refer to the great giants (plural) |
| inukpasuksuk | i-NUK-pa-SUk-suk | Giant. Also the proper name of a famous giant who adopted a human. |
| inukturniq | i-nuk-tur-niq | The term used to refer to cannibals. Translates as “the act of eating a person.” |
| Inupiaq | i-nu-PIAQ | Inuit from northern Alaska |
| inurluit | i-NUR-luit | A race of kind beings without necks. Translates as “horrible people.” |
| inuujuq | i-NUU-yuq | it’s a human |
| inuusikillisaisuut | e-NOO-se-kil-le-sai-SOOT | slowly drain away life |
| Iqallijuq | i-QAL-li-yuq | a name for the ogre-like being said to have created char |
| iqaluit | e-QA-lu-it | many Arctic char (plural) |
| iqaluk | E-qa-look | Arctic char (singular) |
| Iqalummiut | e-qa-LUM-me-oot | people from Iqaluit |
| iqaluup nappaa | i-qa-LUUP nap-PAA | a race of beings that are half-human and half-fish |
| iqsinaqtutalik piqtuq | IQ-si-naq-TOOQ-ta-lik PIQ-tooq | haunted blizzard |
| irinaliuti | i-ri-na-LIU-ti | a magic song or chant |
| Ijiraq | i-YI-raq | name |
| Ikpiarjuk | ik-PIAR-yuk | a town in Nunavut, meaning “pocket” |
| Imiqqutailaq | i-miq-qu-TAI-laq | name, meaning “Arctic tern” |
| inugarulliit | i-nu-ga-rul-LEET | mythical, mischievous tiny creatures resembling very small people, generally the size of a rabbit |
| Inukpak | i-NUK-pak | name, meaning “giant” |
| Inuujaq | i-NUU-yaq | name, meaning “doll” |
| irniq | IR-niq | son |
| irngutaq | IR-ngu-taq | grandchild |
| isumataq | i-su-MA-taq | boss |
| Ittuq | IT-tooq | name; translates to “grandfather” |
| kajjait | kaj-JAIT | cursed wolves that travel in huge packs and have a hunger that cannot be sated |
| kakivaak | ka-ki-VAAK | traditional fishing spear |
| kakivat | ka-KI-vat | traditional fishing spears |
| Kallak | KAL-lak | name, meaning “chubby” |
| kamiik | ka-MEEK | two skin boots |
| kamiit | ka-MEET | many skin boots |
| kamik | ka-MIK | one skin boot |
| Kanna | KAN-na | A term used to refer to the mother of the sea mammals. The term literally means “the one below.” |
| Kannaapiglu | Kan-naa-PIG-lu | the name of a cannibal |
| kannujaq | KAN-nu-yaq | copper |
| katutarjuit | ka-tu-TAR-juit | beings described as large heads on legs |
| katutarjuk | ka-tu-TAR-juk | singular of “katutarjuit” |
| katuutaq | ka-TUU-taq | a drum beater |
| Kina? | KI-na | Who? |
| Kinakuluugavit? | ki-na-ku-LOO-ga-vit | A phrase asking, “Who are you?” Often used in a diminutive way to someone the speaker finds cute or adorable. |
| Kinauvit? | ke-NAU-vit | What is your name? |
| Kinngait | KING-ŋa-it | place name |
| Kiowa | KIO-wa | a Native American tribe that currently resides in Oklahoma |
| Kitikmeot | qi-TIR-miut | Kitikmeot region is an administrative region in western Nunavut |
| Kivalliq | ki-VAL-liq | Kivalliq region is an administrative region in southern Nunavut |
| Kiviuq | KI-vi-ooq | great adventurer from Inuit mythology |
| Kukiijariaqtukkit | Ku-KII-ja-RIAQ-tuk-kit | The name of a giant female cannibal. The term translates as “go and cut their nails.” |
| kukilialuit | ku-ki-LIA-luit | The name given to a race of cannibals. The term translates as “the ones with long nails.” |
| Kulluittuq | kul-LUIT-tuq | The name of a giant. Translates as “thumbless one.” |
| kuluk | KU-luk | wee one; cute one; dear one |
| kunik | KOO-nik | kiss given by placing the nose on a person’s face and breathing in |
| Lumaajuq | lu-MAA-yuq | the name given to the woman who was turned into a narwhal |
| Mahaha | MA-ha-ha | mythological creature that tickles people to death |
| makinnaqsijuq | ma-kin-NAQ-si-yuq | time to get out of bed |
| maktaaq | mak-TAAQ | narwhal or beluga skin and blubber |
| maktak | MUK-tuk | bowhead skin and blubber |
| Mamanngittuq | ma-MAŊ-ŋit-tooq | the smelly one |
| mamaqpa? | ma-MAQ-pa | does it taste/smell good? |
| mamaqtuq | ma-MAQ-toq | it tastes/smells good (singular) |
| mamaqtut | ma-MAQ-tut | they taste/smell good (plural) |
| Mangittatuarjuk | Ma-NGIT-ta-TUAR-juk | The name given to the ogress of the gravel bank. Translates as “the gnawer.” |
| maniilagalaak | ma-Nil-la-ga-LAAK | rough snow and ice formations |
| mannguat | MAŊ-ŋuat | over-boots |
| Markoosie | MAH-koo-see | name |
| marruuk | maR-RUUK | two |
| mashi | maah-see | thank you (Tłįcho˛ term) |
| mashi cho | maah-see-choh | thank you very much (Tłįcho˛ term) |
| Masik | MA-sik | name |
| Miki | Mi-ki | name, meaning “small one” |
| Mikilaaq | mi-ki-LAAQ | name, meaning “the smallest one” |
| mitiq | MI-tiq | duck, any type |
| Mittimatalingmiut | mit-te-ma-ta-LIŊ-me-oot | people from Pond Inlet |
| Na acho | nah ah-choh | Ancient, giant animals that used to roam the earth. Translates as “the giant ones” (Tłįcho˛ term) |
| naalatsiarit | NAA-lat-sia-rit | listen carefully |
| naammaktuq | NAAM-mak-tuq | very well |
| Naarjuk | NAAR-juk | the name of a giant baby who was orphaned and eventually became the powerful spirit of the sky and weather |
| Nagligijaujunga! | NAG-li-gi-JAU-ju-nga | I am loved! |
| Naglingniq qaikautigijunnaqtuq maannakautigi! | NAG-ling-niq QAI-kau-ti-gi-jun-naqtuq MAAN-na-KAU-ti-gi | Love can travel anywhere in an instant! |
| Nahaingajuq | Na-HAI-nga-yuq | A murderous female giant. Translates as “the one that takes its hood off.” |
| naja | NA-ya | older sister |
| nakasungnaikkaq | na-ka-sung-NAIK-kaq | the name of a dangerous race of fast-moving beings |
| nakurmiik | na-kur-MIIK | thank you |
| nanijauniaravit | na-ni-YAU-nia-ra-vit | “you’ll be found” |
| Nanimiugugavin? | na-me-MEU-ŋu-ga-vit | Where are you from? |
| nanook | na-NUQ | polar bear; most commonly spelled “nanuq” |
| nanuit | na-no-EET | polar bears (plural) |
| nanuq | na-NOOQ | one polar bear (singular) |
| nanurluit | na-nur-LUIT | giant polar bears (plural) |
| nanurluk | na-NUR-look | giant polar bear (singular) |
| narajat | na-RA-yat | name given to a race of gluttonous ogres |
| narija | na-RI-ya | unknown meaning, but the word has a reference to a “belly” |
| natsiq | NAT-siq | seal |
| Natsivak | NAT-si-vak | name, meaning “large seal” |
| nattiq | NAT-tiq | seal (Inuinnaqtun) |
| nauja | NAU-ya | seagull |
| Netsilik | NAT-si-lik | the Netsilik region is an arm of the Arctic Ocean lying west of the Gulf of Boothia |
| -ngai | suffix; endearment term | |
| niam | NI-am | yummy |
| Niaqunnguup Kuunga | n-ia-qung-ŋuup koo-ŋa | Apex River |
| Niaquvinikuluk langala langala | ni-a-qu-vi-NI-ku-luk-la-nga-LAA la-nga-LAA | Little Skull (“langala langala” functions the same as “ooh” in English songs—there is no translation as it does not mean anything) |
| nigaq | NI-gaq | the action of snaring something |
| niksik | NIK-sik | a hook used to snag a shot seal |
| Nikujjaaqtuqtuq | ni-kooj-JAAQ-tuq-tuq | the one who walks with her heels raised |
| ningauk | ni-ŊAUK | brother-in-law |
| niqi | NI-qi | food |
| nirilikkit | ni-ri-LIK-kit | eat them |
| Nirrivik | Nir-RI-vik | Term used to describe the mother of the sea mammals. Translates as “the food tray or bowl.” |
| Niviaq | ni-VIAQ | name, meaning “little girl” (Greenlandic origin, shortened from original “niviaqsiaq”) |
| nukaq | NOO-kaq | younger brother |
| nukarlaaluk | nu-kar-LAA-look | an expression of annoyance at a younger sibling who is of the same gender as you |
| Nuliajuk | nu-LI-a-yook | the name of a spirit that lives at the bottom of the sea and controls the sea mammals |
| nuliarsuaq | nu-LIAQ-suaq | big or great wife (Greenlandic origin) |
| nuna | NU-na | land |
| nunamiutait | nu-na-MIU-tait | Being from the land. Often referred to as “Land Spirits.” |
| nunangat | nu-na-ŋat | homeland |
| Nunarjuaq | nu-NAR-juaq | the Land (more commonly, the Earth) |
| nunaup inungit | nu-NA-up E-noo-ŋit | very tall, hairy creatures that walk upright |
| nunaup sanngininga | nu-NAUP SANG-ngi-ni-nga | the strength of the land |
| Nunavut | nu-NA-vut | Inuktitut word meaning “our land“; a vast territory in northern Canada |
| Nuvuja | nu-VU-ya | Name of a huge female giant. Translates as “cloud.” |
| Paalliq | PAAL-liq | a place south of Arviat, Nunavut |
| palaugaaq | pa-la-oo-GAAQ | bannock, a delicious biscuit bread |
| palraijuq | pal-RAI-yuq | strange reptilian creatures from the western Arctic |
| pana | PA-na | snow knife |
| panik | PA-nik | daughter |
| Panikpak | pa-NIK-pak | name |
| panilaaq | pa-ni-LAAQ | youngest daughter |
| Paninnguaq | pa-NING-nguaq | name |
| paurngaq | PAUR-ngaq | a berry |
| Pigaaqtualuuqqaummat. | pi-GAAQ-tua-LUUQ-qaum-mat | Because they stayed out so late. |
| pilaksisuuq | pi-LAK-si-suuq | to cut through items |
| pingasut | pi-ŋa-SOOT | three |
| Pinguup Inungit | pi-NGUUP i-nu-NGIT ee-new-ngeet | people from high ground or hills |
| pinnguaq | ping-NGUAQ | a toy |
| piqatialuk | pi-qa-TIA-luk | best friend |
| pissi | PIS-si | dried fish |
| Piturniq | pi-TUR-niq | Name, meaning a time when the tides are strong usually during the new moon. “Pitu” for short. |
| piu | pew | pretty or precious; often used as a term of endearment |
| Piulua | PEW-la-ah | name meaning “the most beautiful” |
| piusituqait | PEW-si-tu-qa-it | traditional or customary ways |
| puukuluk | POO-ku-look | birth mother |
| Qajaarjuaq | qa-JAAR-juaq | name, meaning “large qajaq” |
| qajarissat | qa-ya-RIS-sat | giants that hunt in enormous kayaks |
| qaggiq | QAG-giq | a large iglu made for celebration purposes; also the name of the celebrations held in this iglu |
| qaigissik | qai-GIS-sik | come (when referring to two individuals) |
| qaigit | QAI-git | come (when referring to one individual) |
| qajait | ka-YA-it | kayaks (plural) |
| qajaq | QA-yaq | kayak (singular) |
| Qajarissat | qa-ja-RIS-sat | kayak beings, or something belonging to a kayak |
| Qikiqtarjuaq | Qi-kiq-TAR-juaq | A place name. Translates as “big island.” |
| Qikiqtarluut | qi-kiq-TAR-luut | The name of a group of marine creatures that resemble islands. Translates as “horrible island.” |
| Qimmiit Arnangat | qim-MEET ar-NA-ngat | Term used to refer to the mother of the dog children. Translates as “mother of dogs.” |
| qallunaaq | qal-lu-NAAQ | a white person (singular) |
| qallunaat | qal-lu-NAAT | white people (plural) |
| Qallunaat nunangat | qal-loo-NAAT NOO-na-ŋat | the land of white people (southern Canada) |
| qallupilluit | QAL-lu-PIL-lu-it | mythological sea creatures that steal children through ice cracks (plural) |
| qallupilluq | QAL-lu-PIL-look | mythological sea creature that seals children through ice cracks (singualr) |
| qamutiik | qa-mu-TEEK | sled (singular) |
| qamutiit | qa-mu-TEET | many sleds (plural) |
| qanak | QAH-nak | tentpole |
| Qanuikkavit? | qa-nu-IK-ka-vit | What’s wrong? |
| Qanuinngilatit? | qu-nu-ing-ŋi-LA-tit | Are you okay? |
| qanuippit | qa-NUIP-pit | “anything wrong?” |
| qarliik | qar-LEEK | pants (dual; a pair of pants) |
| qarmait | qar-MAIT | many sod houses (plural) |
| qarmaq | QAR-maq | sod house (singular) |
| qatangutiapik | qa-TAŊ-ŋu-TIA-pik | little cousin |
| Qilak | QI-lak | name, meaning “heaven” or “palate” |
| qimmiit | QIM-miit | many dogs (plural) |
| qimmiq | QIM-miq | a dog (singular) |
| qinalugaq | qi-na-lu-GAQ | beluga |
| qitik- | QI-tik- | to play |
| qiviut | qi-VIUT | muskox wool |
| quaq | quaq | raw frozen meat or fish |
| Quisukkama | qui-SOOK-ka-ma | I want to pee |
| qujannamiik | qu-yan-na-MEEK | thank you |
| qulliit | qul-LEET | seal oil lamps (plural) |
| qulliq | QUL-liq | seal oil lamp (singular) |
| qungnirjuaq | qung-NIR-juaq | large ice crack, or lead |
| qunguliit | qu-ŋu-LIIT | mountain sorrel |
| qunguliq | QU-ŋu-liq | rhubarb |
| qurvik | QUR-vik | toilet |
| Saattut | SAA-toot | place name that means “flat lands” |
| Saimaniq | SAI-ma-niq | Name, meaning “peace” or “happy.” “Saima-” is the root word. |
| sakku | SAK-ku | harpoon point |
| Sanngijurjuaq | sang-ngi-YUR-juaq | the one who is extremely strong |
| Sassuna Arnaa | SAS-su-ma ar-NAA | This term refers to the mother of the sea mammals. Translates as “mother of the sea.” |
| sauniriit | sau-ni-REET | the person who receives a name; what Prince George is to King George |
| savikkuvik | sa-vik-ku-VIK | grub box |
| Sedna | SAN-na | refers to the mother of the sea mammals |
| siksik | SIK-sik | an Arctic ground squirrel |
| siku | SI-ku | ice |
| Sikuliajuittuq | Si-ku-lia-JUIT-tuq | The name of a giant. Translates as “the one who never goes to the ice.” |
| Sikuliasuittuq | si-ku-lis-SUIT-tuq | someone who never goes down to the new ice |
| Sikuliaq | si-ku-LIAQ | name |
| sila | SI-la | sky |
| sininnaqsijuq | si-nin-NAQ-si-yuq | it is time to sleep |
| siqiniq | si-QI-niq | sun |
| sitamat | SI-ta-mat | four |
| Supuuqtuutilik | su-pooq-TOO-te-lik | the one with a pipe |
| suungujuq | SUU-ngu-yuq | the one who is aggressive |
| suurlu | SUUR-lu | as if (as if it were any other) |
| taaliqqat | taa-LIQ-qat | Refers to a race of shadow beings. Translates to “when it’s dark.” |
| taaqtumi | TAAQ-tu-mi | in the dark |
| Tagaaq | ta-GAAQ | name |
| Tagvauvusi! | tag-va-OO-vu-si | Farewell! |
| taima | TAI-ma | the end |
| Taina | TAI-na | name |
| Takannaaluk | Ta-kan-NAA-luk | Refers to the mother of the sea mammals. Translates as “the mighty one below.” |
| Taktuk | TAK-took | name, meaning “fog” |
| taliillajuit | ta-LIIL-la-yuit | a race of marine beings that are similar to mermaids |
| tallimat | TAL-li-mat | five |
| Taqqiq | TAQ-qiq | the Moon |
| tarriaksuit | tar-RIAK-soo-it | shadow people |
| tau | tau | Term used by supernatural beings to refer to a man (anguTAUvuq); whereas “nau” refers to a woman (arNAUvuq) |
| tauvigjuaq | tow-VIG-ju-aq | the great darkness |
| tavva | TAV-va | here |
| Tavvaniippit? | tav-va-NEEP-pit | Are you there? |
| Thule | TUU-li | an Inuit culture that existed 500–1500 years ago |
| Timuu | ti-MOO | name |
| Tiri | TI-ri | Name. Is short for “tiriganniaq,” which means “fox.” |
| tiriganniaq | ti-Ri-GAN-ni-aq | Arctic fox |
| Tuavi! | tu-A-VI | Hurry up! |
| tuktu | TOOk-tu | caribou |
| Tukturjuk | took-TUR-juk | Big Dipper |
| Tuktut Igviat | TUK-tut ig-VIAT | The name of the woman who created the caribou. Translates as “mother of the caribou.” |
| tulugaq | TU-lu-gaq | raven |
| tunaat | tu-NAAT | name for beings found around the community of Sanikiluaq |
| Tuniit | tu-NIIT | an extinct race that populated the Arctic before Inuit |
| Tuniq | TU-niq | an individual of an extinct race that populated the Arctic before Inuit |
| tuniqtat | tu-NIQ-tat | Name of a race of little folk. Translates as “from the tuniqs.” |
| tunniit | tun-NIIT | tattoos (plural) |
| tunnittuarjuit | tu-niq-TUAR-juit | Strange little female beings that are essentially a head and legs. They are usually described as having elaborate tattoos. Translates to “beings with magnificent tattoos.” |
| tunnittuarjuk | tu-niq-TUAR-juk | singular of “tunnittuarjuit” |
| Tunu | TU-nu | name, derived from the word for “back” |
| Tununiq | tu-NU-niq | an area on Baffin Island around the community of Pond Inlet |
| tupalirit | tu-pa-LI-rit | wake up |
| tupiq | TU-piq | tent |
| tuqtluraq- | TUQ-tlu-raq- | (verb root) to address someone by a kinship term |
| tuqtlurausiit | tuq-tlu-RAU-seet | Inuit kinship naming |
| tuullik | TUU-lik | loon |
| tuurngait | TUUR-ŋa-it | spirit guides (plural) |
| tuurngaq | TUUR-ŋaq | a spirit guide (singular) |
| tuurngat | TOOR-ŋat | ghosts |
| tuutaliit | TUU-ta-LIIT | A type of spirit that resembles both humans and seals. Translates as “seal-man.” |
| tuutalik | tUU-ta-lik | many mermaids |
| tuutarjuit | tuu-TAR-juit | a dangerous being, often referred to as “the spirit of the string figures” |
| Uakallaluaraaluulauqtuq! | ua-kal-LA-lua-RAA-luu- LAUQ-tuq | It was too much! |
| uakallangaak | ua-kal-la-NGAAK | an expression of surprise, joy, annoyance, or confusion |
| Ualinirmiut | ua-le-NER-me-oot | people of the Western Arctic |
| uijjuit | UIJ-juit | a race of shy, marine dwarves |
| Ujarasuk | u-ja-RA-suk | name |
| ujjuk | UJ-jook | bearded seal |
| ukpik | OOK-pik | snowy owl |
| Ulii | u-LEE | name |
| ulu | OO-lu | a crescent knife traditionally used by women (singular) |
| Ululijarnaat | u-lu-li-YAR-naat | A supernatural woman who lives on the moon. Often referred to as the “disemboweller.” She carries a bowl and a large ulu. |
| uluuk | u-LUUK | dual for “ulu” |
| uluit | u-LUIT | plural for “ulu” |
| umiaq | u-MIAQ | a traditional Inuit skin boat, able to hold a dozen people on average |
| umiarissat | u-MIA-ris-sat | the race of mysterious giants that travel in huge boats |
| umingmak | u-MING-mak | muskox |
| Umingmaktok | u-ming-mak-TUUQ | Inuinnaqtun word meaning “like a muskox”; a settlement formerly called Bay Chimo, located in the Canadian territory of Nunavut |
| ummimmaaluk | OO-mim-MAA-look | big muskox |
| una | U-na | this (person or item) |
| unikkaaqtuarutilauqtigut | u-nik-KAAQ-tua-ru-ti-lauq-ti-gut | tell us a story |
| Unnukkut! | un-NUK-kut! | Good evening! |
| uqaluraq | u-QA-lu-raq | a tongue |
| urju | UR-ju | ground vegetation or topsoil |
| usuaq | oo-SOO-aq | walrus penis |
| utiqtuq | u-TIQ-tooq | returning or going back |
| uugarjuaq | UU-gar-juaq | giant codfish found in remote lakes |
| uujuuq | UU-yuq | meat that has been boiled |
| uumajurngautaviniit | uu-ma-yurng-NGAU-ta- vi-NEET | Term used to describe the ancient animals that existed before humans. These beings had the ability to change their form, and possessed language and powerful magic. Translates as “first animals.” |
| uummat | UUM-mat | heart |
| Viivi | VEE-vi | name |
| Yup’ik | YUUP-pik | Inuit from southwestern and south central Alaska |
| Yupik | YUUP-pik | Inuit from St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea |
This list of Inuktitut terms will be continually updated and expanded.
Audio recordings of each of the terms above to come.