Question Words

1. Ite?

   What?

   Usage

   The shortest question word; pair it with pointing

   Grammar Note

   "Ite" asks about things; for people use "chie"

2. Ue?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks for a place; add a place name and you are understood

   Grammar Note

   "Ue" means "where"; "Ue est" plus a noun asks where something is

3. Cando?

   When?

   Usage

   For departure times or opening times

   Grammar Note

   "Cando" means "when"; it is also the conjunction "when"

4. Chie?

   Who?

   Usage

   Asks about a person, e.g. who is in charge

   Grammar Note

   "Chie" asks about people. Do not confuse it with the relative "chi"

5. Proite?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason, e.g. a delay or a refusal

   Grammar Note

   "Proite" means "why"; the answer "because" uses "ca"

6. Comente?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks for a method, including how to get somewhere

   Grammar Note

   "Comente" means "how"; it also appears in "Comente istas?" (How are you?)

7. Cantos?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a count of items or people

   Grammar Note

   Masculine plural; use "cantas" with feminine nouns and "cantu" for amounts

8. Cale?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Used to pick from, or point at, a set of options

   Grammar Note

   The plural is "cales"; the form is the same before a noun

9. Ite est custu?

   What is this?

   Usage

   Point at a dish or product and ask what it is

   Grammar Note

   Word order does not change in a question; the voice rises. "Est" is the third person of èssere. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

10. Lu tenides?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    Asks about stock or availability; name the item first

    Grammar Note

    The bois form of tènnere (to have) is tenides. The pronoun "lu" (it) goes before the verb. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

11. Si podet?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is possible or allowed

    Grammar Note

    An impersonal construction: si plus podet, the third person of pòdere (can). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

12. Si pagat?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

    Check whether luggage storage, Wi-Fi, etc. costs money

    Grammar Note

    Pagat is the third person of pagare (to pay); with si it means "does one pay?". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

13. Est bene?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    Asks for permission; pair it with pointing

    Grammar Note

    Raising the voice on the statement "Est bene" turns it into a question. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

14. Non si podet?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    Used to double-check after being turned down

    Grammar Note

    Non (not no) is used before a consonant. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

15. Istades bene?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    Used to check on someone's wellbeing, a different role from "Est bene?" (asking permission)

    Grammar Note

    The bois form of istare (to be, stay) is istades; with friends say "Istas bene?". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

16. A beru?

    Really?

    Usage

    A short reaction confirming something surprising

    Grammar Note

    "A beru" is an adverbial phrase meaning "really"

17. Seis seguru?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Presses for confirmation of a fact, more formal than "A beru?"

    Grammar Note

    "Seis" is the bois form of èssere. Masculine form; for a woman say "segura". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

18. Dae ue seis?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    A classic conversation starter

    Grammar Note

    The preposition "dae" means "from". The polite form is "seis"; with friends say "Dae ue ses?". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

19. Cantos annos tenides?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asking someone's age at a first meeting can come across as intrusive; better saved until you know them a little

    Grammar Note

    Age is expressed as "to have years"; the bois form of tènnere is tenides. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

20. Podimus fàghere una fotografia impare?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    Asks for permission to take a photo together

    Grammar Note

    The first person plural of pòdere is podimus. Fàghere is the infinitive "to make, do" and is stressed on the first syllable. "Take a photo" is said as "make a photo". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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