Question Words

1. की?

   Ki?

   What?

   Usage

   A one-word request for clarification when you did not catch something.

   Grammar Note

   "की" = "what" (not Hindi "क्या"). The dictionary also has "कथि" (what). Sentence-initial "की" also marks yes/no questions.

2. कतए?

   Ka-te?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks for a location; point at a map or photo while you say it.

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary headword is "कतऽ" (where); this app writes "कतए". Hindi "कहाँ" is not used.

3. कखन?

   Ka-khan?

   When?

   Usage

   Asks for a time or date; useful for departure times.

   Grammar Note

   Dictionary (Maithili-English) lists "कखन" ("at what moment"). Not Hindi "कब".

4. के?

   Ke?

   Who?

   Usage

   To ask who someone is or who is in charge.

   Grammar Note

   Dictionary: "के" (who?). Different from "कोन" ("which"). Hindi "कौन" is not used.

5. किएक?

   Ki-ek?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason; it can sound blunt, so soften it with a smile.

   Grammar Note

   Dictionary: "किएक" (why). Not Hindi "क्यों".

6. कोना?

   Ko-naa?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks how to do something, e.g. at a ticket machine.

   Grammar Note

   Dictionary: "कोना" (how); Tatoeba also shows the variant "केना". Not Hindi "कैसे".

7. कतेक?

   Ka-tek?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a count of items or people.

   Grammar Note

   Dictionary: "कतेक" (how much); used for counts and amounts alike. Not Hindi "कितने".

8. एकर दाम कतेक अछि?

   E-kar daam ka-tek a-chhi?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The standard price question; in markets ask them to show the number on a calculator.

   Grammar Note

   "एकर" is the genitive of "ई"; "दाम" (price) is dictionary-verified. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

9. कोन?

   Kon?

   Which one?

   Usage

   For choosing between options; use it while pointing.

   Grammar Note

   Dictionary: "कोन" (which); distinct from "के" ("who").

10. ई की थिक?

    I ki thik?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Point at a dish or product to ask what it is.

    Grammar Note

    "थिक" is the identity copula ("A is B"); "अछि" is for existence/state. On the Nepal side "छी" is also heard. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

11. शौचालय कतए अछि?

    Shau-chaa-lay ka-te a-chhi?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    One of the most-used questions of any trip; works in shops, stations and hotels.

    Grammar Note

    "शौचालय" (toilet) is dictionary-verified. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

12. कतेक बाजल अछि?

    Ka-tek baa-jal a-chhi?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Asks the current time; useful when your phone is dead.

    Grammar Note

    "बाजब" (to make a sound) is dictionary-verified; "how much has (the clock) sounded" asks the time. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

13. अहाँ लग अछि?

    A-haan lag a-chhi?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    A short way to ask about stock or availability while pointing at something.

    Grammar Note

    Possession is expressed as "is (it) with you" ("लग" = "near" in the dictionary). Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

14. की अहाँ कऽ सकैत छी?

    Ki a-haan ka sa-kait chhi?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is possible: card payment, changing money, etc.

    Grammar Note

    "सकब" (can) is dictionary-verified; conjunctive + "सकैत छी" = "can do". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

15. की एहि लेल टाका लागैत अछि?

    Ki e-hi lel taa-kaa laa-gait a-chhi?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

    Checks for an extra fee: luggage storage, Wi-Fi and the like.

    Grammar Note

    "लेल" (for), "टाका" (rupee) and "लागब" are dictionary-verified; literally "does money apply for this?". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

16. की ई मुफ्त अछि?

    Ki i mupht a-chhi?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    Confirms something is free of charge, e.g. water or refills.

    Grammar Note

    "मुफ्त" is listed as "free of cost". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

17. की ई ठीक अछि?

    Ki i thik a-chhi?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    Asking for permission; often combined with pointing.

    Grammar Note

    Sentence-initial "की" makes the question. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

18. की ई नहि भऽ सकैत अछि?

    Ki i na-hi bha sa-kait a-chhi?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    Used to double-check after being told no.

    Grammar Note

    Literally "can this not be done?"; "नहि" stands before the verb. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

19. की अहाँ ठीक छी?

    Ki a-haan thik chhi?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    Used to check on someone's wellbeing; a different role from asking permission.

    Grammar Note

    "अहाँ" takes "छी" (not "अछि"). Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

20. सत्ते?

    Sat-te?

    Really?

    Usage

    Used to confirm something surprising.

    Grammar Note

    Dictionary: "सत्ते" ("really, as a matter of fact").

21. की अहाँ निश्चित छी?

    Ki a-haan nish-chit chhi?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Presses for certainty about a fact; more formal than "Really?".

    Grammar Note

    "निश्चित" (definite) is dictionary-verified. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

22. अहाँ कतएसँ छी?

    A-haan ka-te-san chhi?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    A common conversation starter.

    Grammar Note

    "-सँ" ("from") is written attached to the word. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

23. अहाँक नाम की थिक?

    A-haank naam ki thik?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    A common conversation starter.

    Grammar Note

    Possession is the invariant "-क" (unlike Hindi "आपका/आपकी"). On the Nepal side "छी" is also used. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

24. अहाँक उमेर कतेक अछि?

    A-haank u-mer ka-tek a-chhi?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asking age is fairly common in South Asia, but can feel forward with strangers or elders.

    Grammar Note

    "उमेर" (age) is dictionary-verified. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

25. की हम सभ सङ्गे फोटो खिंचि सकैत छी?

    Ki ham sabh sang-ge pho-to khin-chi sa-kait chhi?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    Used to ask permission before taking a photo together.

    Grammar Note

    "खिंचब" is listed in the dictionary as "(photo) to take". "We" is "हम सभ". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

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