Question Words

1. Eng?

   What?

   Usage

   To ask about a thing

   Grammar Note

   Question words usually come last (O batla eng? "What do you want?").

2. Kae?

   Where?

   Usage

   To ask about a place

   Grammar Note

   Placed after the noun. It also asks "how many" (di le kae?).

3. Leng?

   When?

   Usage

   To ask about time

   Grammar Note

   A basic word, 314 occurrences in the Bible text.

4. Mang?

   Who?

   Usage

   To ask about a person

   Grammar Note

   Ke mang? means "Who is it?".

5. Goreng?

   Why?

   Usage

   To ask for a reason

   Grammar Note

   34 occurrences on tn.wikipedia.

6. Jang?

   How?

   Usage

   To ask about manner or condition

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary glosses jang as "how"; it comes last in the sentence.

7. Ke bokae?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   To ask a price

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary has bokae ("how much") and the Bible text has Ke bokae. Prices are often quoted in English.

8. Di le kae?

   How many?

   Usage

   To ask a number

   Grammar Note

   Di agrees with plural things (class 10); for people use Ba le kae? Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

9. Seno ke eng?

   What is this?

   Usage

   Pointing at something in a market or eatery

   Grammar Note

   seno is "this" for se- class nouns such as sejo; other classes use other forms. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

10. Ntlwana ya boithomelo e kae?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    A very common travel question; learn it whole

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses ntlwana ya boithomelo as "toilet". e agrees with ntlwana (class 9). Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

11. O tswa kae?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    To ask where someone comes from

    Grammar Note

    3 occurrences in the Bible text, 7 on tn.wikipedia. For an elder use Le tswa kae?

12. Leina la gago ke mang?

    What is your name?

    Usage

    A good conversation opener

    Grammar Note

    leina la gago appears 12 times in the Bible text. Literally "your name is who?". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

13. A ke mahala?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    To check the charge for storage or entry

    Grammar Note

    mahala is common on tn.wikipedia in the sense "free of charge". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

14. A go siame?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    To ask for permission or confirmation

    Grammar Note

    The question form of Go siame. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

15. A o siame?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    To someone who looks unwell

    Grammar Note

    For an elder use A le siame? Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

16. Tota?

    Really?

    Usage

    A reaction of surprise or a request to confirm

    Grammar Note

    288 occurrences in the Bible text, in the sense "truly".

17. O na le dingwaga di le kae?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    To ask someone's age

    Grammar Note

    Literally "you have how many years?". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; native review recommended.

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