Question Words

1. Ni iki?

   What?

   Usage

   Works on its own; point at the thing as you ask

   Grammar Note

   iki means "what". ni is "is", so it can follow a noun, as in Urukundo ni iki? (what is love?)

2. Hehe?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks for a place; put a thing or person in front to make a full question

   Grammar Note

   hehe means "where". It follows a noun plus an agreeing verb such as uri, as in Umusarani uri hehe? (where is the toilet?)

3. Ryari?

   When?

   Usage

   For departure times and opening hours

   Grammar Note

   ryari means "when" and goes after the verb, as in Ugenda ryari? (when do you leave?)

4. Ni nde?

   Who?

   Usage

   To ask who is in charge or whose something is

   Grammar Note

   nde means "who" and comes after ni, as in Umwigisha wanyu ni nde? (who is your teacher?)

5. Kubera iki?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason; smile so it does not sound blunt

   Grammar Note

   kubera means "because of / for" and iki means "what", so it is literally "because of what"

6. Gute?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks about manner or condition; it follows the verb or noun

   Grammar Note

   gute means "how" and sits at the end of the question, as in Bisa gute? (what does it look like?)

7. Abantu ni bangahe?

   How many people?

   Usage

   Used for party size at a table or a vehicle

   Grammar Note

   -ngahe means "how many" and changes with the noun class: bangahe for people (ba- class), angahe for ama- nouns such as money

8. Ni angahe?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The basic way to ask a price when shopping or paying a fare

   Grammar Note

   angahe means "how much" and agrees with ama- nouns (amahera, money). For a single item you can say Kigurwa angahe? (how much does it cost?)

9. Ni ikihe?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Asks which one among several; point as you ask

   Grammar Note

   -he means "which" and changes with the noun class: ikihe for the iki- class, iyihe for the in- class

10. Iki ni iki?

    What is this?

    Usage

    For pointing at something unfamiliar

    Grammar Note

    The first iki is "this" for an iki- class thing; the last iki is "what". The first word changes for other noun classes

11. Umusarani uri hehe?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    One of the most useful questions on a trip

    Grammar Note

    umusarani (toilet) + uri (is located, agreeing with the umu- class) + hehe (where)

12. Urafise?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    Asks a shop whether they have something; add the item's name after it

    Grammar Note

    u- (you) + -ra- (present) + -fise (have). Add an object, as in Murafise umuceri? (do you have rice?)

13. Urashobora?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

    A short question when asking for help or ability

    Grammar Note

    -shobora means "can". It takes a ku- verb after it, as in Urashobora kujayo. (you may go there)

14. Ndashobora?

    May I?

    Usage

    Asks permission; you can add a verb, as in Ndashobora kwinjira? (may I come in?)

    Grammar Note

    n- (I) + -da- (present) + -shobora (can). A ku- verb can follow

15. Ni ukuri?

    Really?

    Usage

    A reaction when you are surprised

    Grammar Note

    ukuri means "truth"; Ni ukuri. is also the statement "it is true". A rising tone makes it a question

16. Uva hehe?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    Asks where someone comes from

    Grammar Note

    u- (you) + -va (come from) + hehe (where); literally "where do you come from"

17. Witwa nde?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    Asks someone's name; the answer is Nitwa (my name is) + name

    Grammar Note

    witwa is the u- form of kwitwa (to be named) + nde (who). Answer with Nitwa Pekka., for example

18. Ufise imyaka ingahe?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asks age; save it for people you already know a little

    Grammar Note

    ufise (you have) + imyaka (years) + ingahe (how many, agreeing with the plural of the imi- class)

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