Grammar » 9 » The Negative

The affix -nngi- can be inserted between the root of a word and the ending to express the negative (he/she is not...):

mingutu + nngi + lak =  
mingutunngilak He/she is not tired.
   
Kuviasuk + nngi + tuk =  
Kuviasunngituk He/she is not happy.

The negative affix -nngi- is often followed by a veb ending that starts with -la:

Kannik + nngi + lak =  
Kanninngilak It is not snowing.
   
anuigik + kKau + nngit + lak =  
anugikKaungilak* ullâk  It was not windy this morning.

Remember the rule of double consonants. -nngi shortens to -ngi after the double kK sound.

Here is a complete set of these endings:

tukisianngilanga I do not understand.
tukisianngilatit You do not understand.
tukisianngilak He/she does not understand.
tukisianngilaguk We (2) do not understand.
tukisianngilatik You (2) do not understand.
tukisianngilâk They (2) do not understand.
tukisianngilagut We (3+) do not understand.
tukisianngilasi You (3+) do not understand.
tukisianngilat They (3+) do not understand.

Note that the negative affix -nngi- deletes a consonant sound that comes immediately before it :

silalu + lâ+ nngi + lak =  
Kauppat silalulânngilâk It will not rain tomorrow.