Question Words

1. Ki?

   What?

   Usage

   A one-word "what?" while pointing

   Grammar Note

   "Ki" means "what" or "which"; before a noun it is "which ..."

2. Kot?

   Where?

   Usage

   A one-word "where?"

   Grammar Note

   "Kot" means "where"; the dictionary also lists "ki kote"

3. Kan?

   When?

   Usage

   A one-word "when?"

   Grammar Note

   "Kan" means "when"; a learner book has "Kan li fini?"

4. Kisann-la?

   Who?

   Usage

   Asking who did something

   Grammar Note

   The official grammar lists "kisann-la" as direct-question "who", with "-la" attached

5. Kifer?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asking for a reason

   Grammar Note

   "Kifer" is "why", found in both the dictionary and Wiktionary

6. Kouma?

   How?

   Usage

   Asking how or in what way

   Grammar Note

   "Kouma" means "how" or "like"; "Ki manier?" is also common

7. Komie?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asking how many or how much

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary writes "komye"; it is written "komie" in the official orthography

8. Ki enn?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Choosing among several

   Grammar Note

   "Ki" plus noun means "which ...". Sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

9. Ki sa?

   What is this?

   Usage

   Pointing at something unfamiliar

   Grammar Note

   A learner book uses "Ki sa?" as an exercise question

10. Kot twalet ete?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    Asking for the toilet

    Grammar Note

    In "where" questions "ete" closes the sentence; it is used only there

11. Ki ler?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Asking the time

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary lists "ki ler" for "what time is it"

12. Eski ou ena?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    Asking a shop whether they have it

    Grammar Note

    "Ena" means "have" or "there is". Sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

13. Eski ou kapav fer li?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

    Checking whether it can be done

    Grammar Note

    "Kapav" means "can". Sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

14. Eski bizin peye?

    Do I have to pay?

    Usage

    Checking whether you must pay

    Grammar Note

    "Bizin" means "must" or "need". Sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

15. Eski li gratis?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    Checking whether it is free

    Grammar Note

    "Gratis" means "free of cost". Sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

16. Eski sa korek?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    Checking that something is fine

    Grammar Note

    "Korek" means "fine, OK". Sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

17. Eski li interdi?

    Is it forbidden?

    Usage

    Checking whether something is forbidden

    Grammar Note

    "Interdi" means "prohibited". Sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

18. Eski ou korek?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    To someone who looks unwell

    Grammar Note

    "Korek" also means "I am well". Sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

19. Vremem?

    Really?

    Usage

    "Really?" in surprise

    Grammar Note

    Listed in the dictionary as "really, in actual fact"

20. Eski ou sir?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Double-checking certainty

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary has "sir" with the example "are you sure?"

21. Kot ou sorti?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    Asking where someone is from

    Grammar Note

    "Sorti" means "go out". Sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

22. Ki laz ou ena?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asking age; better once you know each other

    Grammar Note

    From the dictionary example "ki laz u ena", respelled in the official orthography

23. Eski nou kapav pran enn foto ansam?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    Asking for a photo together

    Grammar Note

    "Pran" means "to take". Sentence composed from dictionary-verified words

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