Grammar » 9 » The Negative

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

mingutu + ngi + lak =  
mingutungilak He/she is not tired.
   
Kuviasuk + ngi + tuk =  
Kuviasungituk He/she is not happy.

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

Kannik + nngi + lak =  
Kanningilak It is not snowing.
   
anuigik + kKau + ngit + lak =  
anugikKaungilak ullâk  It was not windy this morning.

Here is a complete set of these endings:

tukisiangilanga I do not understand.
tukisiangilatit You do not understand.
tukisiangilak He/she does not understand.
tukisiangilaguk We (2) do not understand.
tukisiangilatik You (2) do not understand.
tukisiangilâk They (2) do not understand.
tukisiangilagut We (3+) do not understand.
tukisiangilasi You (3+) do not understand.
tukisiangilat They (3+) do not understand.

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

silalu + lâ+ ngi + lak =  
Kauppat silalulângilâk It will not rain tomorrow.