Question Words

1. Vichi?

   What?

   Usage

   For asking again or asking what a thing is

   Grammar Note

   Adding "-chi" after a verb also gives "what" (mukukhumba vichi?)

2. Ni njani?

   Who?

   Usage

   To ask who someone is, or "who is it?" at a door

   Grammar Note

   "ni" is the linking verb "is" and "njani" is "who", as in "Zina linu ninjani?" for asking a name

3. Kasi ni njani uyu?

   Who is this?

   Usage

   To ask about a person in a photo or nearby

   Grammar Note

   "uyu" is "this" for a person (class 1); things take other forms such as "ichi"

4. Chifukwa wuli?

   Why?

   Usage

   To ask for a reason

   Grammar Note

   Literally "what reason"; it can precede a full question such as "Chifukwa wuli mukuluta?"

5. Ichi ni vichi?

   What is this?

   Usage

   To ask the name of something at a market or eatery

   Grammar Note

   "ichi" (this thing) + "ni" (is) + "vichi" (what). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Ndalama zilinga?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The basic way to ask a price

   Grammar Note

   "-linga" means "how many" and agrees with the noun class (zi-linga, vi-linga). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Vilinga?

   How many?

   Usage

   To ask how many items, such as loaves or fruit

   Grammar Note

   "vi-" agrees with plural things (class 8) and follows the noun, as in "Muli na vingwa vilinga?" (how many loaves do you have)

8. Mukuluta nkhu?

   Where are you going?

   Usage

   To ask someone you meet, or a fellow passenger, their destination

   Grammar Note

   "nkhu" (where) follows the verb and "mu-ku-" is "you (polite) are -ing". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

9. Mukukhumba vichi?

   What do you want?

   Usage

   What a seller asks a customer, or how you ask what someone wants

   Grammar Note

   "-khumba" is "want"; the shape matches "Mukupenja vichi?" (what are you looking for)

10. Muli na vyaka vilinga?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    To ask someone's age; a bit personal on a first meeting

    Grammar Note

    "-li na" means "have", the same pattern as "Muli na vingwa vilinga?", here counting years. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

11. Nadi?

    Really?

    Usage

    A reaction of surprise

    Grammar Note

    "nadi" means "really" and is added to a sentence for emphasis; on its own, "Nadi?" is "Really?"

12. Kasi mungachita ichi?

    Can you do this?

    Usage

    To check whether someone can do a task or favour

    Grammar Note

    "-nga-" marks ability ("can"), the same as "Kasi mungaona ...?". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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