Question Words

1. Nuka?

   What?

   Usage

   Asks “what”

   Grammar Note

   nu “thing” + ka “which”. Question words may be fronted or left in place.

2. Afika?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks about a place. A full sentence uses the pattern “Afi kae … le?”

   Grammar Note

   afi “place” + ka “which”.

3. Ɣekaɣi?

   When?

   Usage

   Asks about time

   Grammar Note

   ɣekaɣi is a fixed question word, not split further. The capital Ɣ is U+0194 and the lower case ɣ is U+0263.

4. Ame ka?

   Who?

   Usage

   Asks about a person; also works inside a sentence

   Grammar Note

   ame “person” + ka “which”.

5. Nukatae?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason

   Grammar Note

   A fixed word: nuka “what” + tae “for the sake of”.

6. Aleke?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks about manner or condition

   Grammar Note

   aleke is “how”; it is the core of Aleke nèle? (how are you).

7. Nenie?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a number; it follows the noun

   Grammar Note

   nenie asks for a count (items, years); it is not the price word on its own.

8. Nu ka nye esia?

   What is this?

   Usage

   Ask it while pointing at an unfamiliar item

   Grammar Note

   Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; not yet checked by a native speaker.

9. Ga nenie ƒo?

   What time is it?

   Usage

   Asks the time. It does not mean “how much is it”

   Grammar Note

   Literally “how many does the clock strike”. ga also means money and metal, but this phrase is only for the time.

10. Ɖe àte ŋu awɔe?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

    Checks whether the other person is able to do something

    Grammar Note

    Composed; te ŋu is “be able”, with the future prefix à-. Not yet checked by a native speaker.

11. Ɖe esia nyo?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    Asks for approval

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar; not yet checked by a native speaker.

12. Ɖe nèle nyuie?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    Asks after someone’s condition

    Grammar Note

    Composed; the 2sg subject is marked by nè- with a grave accent. Not yet checked by a native speaker.

13. Nyateƒea?

    Really?

    Usage

    A surprised “is that true”

    Grammar Note

    Composed; nyateƒe is “truth”, a is the clause-final question marker. Not yet checked by a native speaker.

14. Ƒe nenie nèxɔ?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asks someone’s age. The answer is “Mexɔ ƒe …”

    Grammar Note

    Literally “how many years have you taken”. ƒe “year” is identical to the linker ƒe “of”.

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