Question Words

1. Mun?

   What?

   Usage

   Question word for things and events. It stays in the position of the answer

   Grammar Note

   Question words do not move to the front; they sit where the answer would be ("I bɛ mun fɛ?" = what do you want?)

2. A bɛ min?

   Where is it?

   Usage

   Asks where something is; put the name of the thing in place of "A"

   Grammar Note

   Combines the existential "bɛ" with the question word "min"; the dictionary has "í bá táara mín ?" (where did your mother go?). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

3. Waati jumɛn na?

   When?

   Usage

   Asks about a time; literally "at which moment"

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary has "wáati jùmɛ ná ?" (at which moment?). "jumɛn" also appears as "jumɛ" and "juman"

4. Jɔn?

   Who?

   Usage

   Question word for people

   Grammar Note

   A different noun is spelled the same way; use "jɔn" only as the question word 'who'

5. Mun na?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason; literally "for what"

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary has "é dùn má táa mùn ná ?" (why did you not go?)

6. Cogo di?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks about manner or way of doing something

   Grammar Note

   "di" at the end of a clause means how (dictionary example "nìn jíri tɔ́gɔ kó dì ?", what is this tree called). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

7. Joli?

   How many?

   Usage

   Question word for number or quantity; it follows the noun

   Grammar Note

   "joli" is used for both number and amount and follows the noun ("mɔgɔ joli?" = how many people). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

8. Joli don?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The basic way to ask a price

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary has "jòli dòn ?" (how much does it cost?). Market prices may be quoted in units of 5 francs (dɔrɔmɛ), so confirm the amount

9. Jumɛn?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Asks which one among several

   Grammar Note

   It can follow a noun ("so jumɛn?" = which house). "jumɛ" and "juman" are variants

10. Nin ye mun ye?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Ask what an unfamiliar thing is

    Grammar Note

    "A ye B ye" is the pattern for "A is B", with "ye" also closing the sentence (dictionary: "Adama ye sɛnɛkɛla ye"). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

11. Ɲɛgɛn bɛ min?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    A very useful travel question. "ɲɛgɛn" is the word for toilet and washing place

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses "ɲɛgɛn" as WC, toilet and shower area. The capital "Ɲ" is U+019D. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

12. Lɛrɛ joli?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Asks the time; the answer looks like "lɛrɛ saba" (three o'clock)

    Grammar Note

    "lɛrɛ" is a loan from French heure, followed by the number to tell the time. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

13. A bɛ i bolo wa?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    Use in a shop to ask whether they have something

    Grammar Note

    Possession is "thing bɛ person bolo" (at that person's hand); the dictionary has "Fura bɛ ń bólo" (I have medicine). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

14. I bɛ se k'a kɛ wa?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

    Asks whether someone is able to do something

    Grammar Note

    "ka a" contracts to "k'a". "se ka verb" expresses ability and final "wa" makes the question. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

15. Nin ka ɲi wa?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    Check whether something is good or acceptable

    Grammar Note

    Adjective-like predicates take "ka". "ɲi" means good or beautiful. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

16. I tɔgɔ ko di?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    Asks someone's name; the answer is "N tɔgɔ ye ko …"

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary has "nìn jíri tɔ́gɔ kó dì ?" (what is this tree called?). A possessor pronoun simply precedes the noun. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

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