Question Words

1. Cinshi?

   What?

   Usage

   A one-word question for "what?", handy when you did not catch something

   Grammar Note

   Works alone or in a sentence, where it comes before the verb: "Cinshi mulefwaya?" ("What do you want?")

2. Kwi?

   Where?

   Usage

   A one-word question for "where?"; say the name of a place or thing and add "kwi?"

   Grammar Note

   "kwi" is normally used with the verb "to be at", as in "ali kwi?" ("where is he/she?")

3. Lilali?

   When?

   Usage

   A one-word question for "when?", used for departure or opening times

   Grammar Note

   In a sentence it often follows "ni" ("is"): "Ni lilali ...?"

4. Nani?

   Who?

   Usage

   A one-word question for "who?"

   Grammar Note

   Also used inside sentences, as in "Bushe nani ...?" ("who is ...?")

5. Mulandu nshi?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for the reason behind something

   Grammar Note

   Literally "what reason?"; a clause can follow to ask about a specific thing

6. Shani?

   How?

   Usage

   A one-word question for "how?", about manner or condition

   Grammar Note

   Placed after the verb in a sentence, e.g. "Bushe ilemoneka shani?" ("What does it look like?")

7. Indalama shinga?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   Asks the price; say it while pointing at the item

   Grammar Note

   Literally "how many (units of) money?"; "shinga" is "how many" agreeing with plural money. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. Bushe ici ni cinshi?

   What is this?

   Usage

   Point at something unfamiliar and ask what it is

   Grammar Note

   "Bushe ... ni cinshi?" is the pattern for "what is ...?"; the opening "Bushe" can be dropped. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

9. Bushe icimbusu cili kwi?

   Where is the toilet?

   Usage

   Asks where the toilet is; useful on any trip

   Grammar Note

   The "ci-" of "cili" agrees with the noun class of "icimbusu"; other nouns change it ("ali kwi", "ili kwi"). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

10. Bushe ni nshita nshi nomba?

    What time is it now?

    Usage

    Asks the time

    Grammar Note

    Literally "what time is it now"; "nomba" means "now" but at the start of a sentence it can also mean "but". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

11. Bushe mukwete imyaka inga?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asks someone's age; choose the moment with care, especially with elders

    Grammar Note

    Literally "how many years do you have?", the same "... inga?" pattern as "how many loaves?". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

12. Bushe muleya kwi?

    Where are you going?

    Usage

    Asks where someone is heading; also a casual way to start a chat on the road

    Grammar Note

    "mu-" is the polite "you", "-le-" marks the ongoing action, "-ya" is "go"; with a friend say "uleya kwi?". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

13. Cinshi mulefwaya?

    What would you like?

    Usage

    Asks what someone wants or needs; shopkeepers can use it with customers

    Grammar Note

    "-fwaya" means "want / look for"; "mu-" is the polite "you" and "-le-" marks the ongoing action. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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