Question Words

1. Kainyoo?

   What?

   Usage

   Asks "what?" about a thing or event. It is easier to follow if you point as you ask

   Grammar Note

   "kainyoo" is the question word for "what". The same word also opens "why" questions, so context decides which is meant

2. Koree?

   Where is it?

   Usage

   Asks where a person or thing is. Add a noun after it for "where is ...?"

   Grammar Note

   "koree" asks "where is ...?" and the thing you are looking for follows it. It is a different word from "kaji"

3. Kaji?

   Where? How?

   Usage

   An opening word for asking about direction or manner; a verb follows, as in "where are you going?"

   Grammar Note

   "kaji" means "where / how" and is followed by a verb. "koree" is the separate form for asking "where is ...?"

4. Anu?

   When?

   Usage

   Asks about time or date. A clause can follow, as in "when do you leave?"

   Grammar Note

   "anu" is the question word for "when". Answers use words like "taata" (today), "metabaiki" (tomorrow) and "ng'ole" (yesterday)

5. Ng'ai?

   Who?

   Usage

   Asks "who?" about a person

   Grammar Note

   "ng'ai" is the question word for "who". The "ng'" is a back-of-the-tongue nasal, a different sound from "ng" followed by a vowel

6. Kaja?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a number. It follows the thing being counted

   Grammar Note

   "kaja" is the question word for a count. "aja" is used with the same meaning and is the form common in price questions

7. Ropiyiani aja?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   Asks the price at a shop or market. Point at the item; the answer comes back as a number

   Grammar Note

   "ropiyiani" (money) + "aja" (how many) literally asks "how much money". Name the item after it, as in "Ropiyiani aja ena mukate?". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. Kainyoo ele?

   What is this?

   Usage

   Ask what something is while pointing. This form is for a masculine noun

   Grammar Note

   "kainyoo" (what) + "ele" (this, masculine). For a feminine noun use "ena": "Kainyoo ena?". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

9. Kainyoo enkarna ino?

   What's your name?

   Usage

   Ask someone you have just met for their name

   Grammar Note

   "enkarna" (name) is a feminine noun, so "your" takes the feminine form "ino". The word for "your" changes with the gender and number of the noun. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

10. Kaji iloito?

    Where are you going?

    Usage

    Ask where someone is heading, such as a driver, guide or someone you meet on the road

    Grammar Note

    "kaji" (where) + "iloito" (you are going). It is the second-person singular progressive of "alo" (go); "i-" marks "you"

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