To express the idea of wanting to do something, Nunatsiavummiutitut speakers insert the affix -guma- between the verb root, which describes the action, and the verb ending:
kâfittuk- | verb root meaning, 'to drink coffee' |
kâfittugumaven? | Do you want to drink coffee? |
kâfittugumavunga | I want to drink coffee. |
kâfittugumangilanga | I don’t want to drink coffee. |
tetugumaven? | Do you want to drink tea? |
tetugumavunga | I’d like some tea. |
tetugumangilanga | I do not want tea. |
Remember to drop the affix -tu- when talking about drinking water:
imigumaven? | Would you like water? |
imigumavunga | I’d like some water. |
imigumangilanga | I don’t want water. |