Question Words

1. Ndi mini?

   What is it?

   Usage

   The basic way to ask what something is

   Grammar Note

   The question word "mini" follows "ndi"

2. Ngafhi?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks about a place; put it after the thing you are asking about

   Grammar Note

   Used as in "Goloi i ngafhi?" (where is the car?), after the noun and its marker

3. Ndi lini?

   When is it?

   Usage

   Asks about the time of something

   Grammar Note

   The question word "lini" follows "ndi"

4. Ndi nnyi?

   Who is it?

   Usage

   Asks who a person is

   Grammar Note

   "nnyi" is the question word for people

5. Ndi ngani?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason

   Grammar Note

   A question about a reason starts with "ndi ngani"

6. Hani?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks about manner; placed after the verb

   Grammar Note

   Used after a verb, as in "Zwi shuma hani?" (how does it work?)

7. Ndi ifhio?

   Which one is it?

   Usage

   Asks which one among several

   Grammar Note

   "ifhio" changes form with the noun class; this is the "i-" class form. This is a composed sentence; native review is advised

8. Hezwi ndi mini?

   What is this?

   Usage

   Asks what an object in front of you is

   Grammar Note

   "hezwi" is "this" for the "zwi-" class; the form changes with the noun class. This is a composed sentence; native review is advised

9. U bva ngafhi?

   Where are you from?

   Usage

   Asks where someone comes from; for a familiar person

   Grammar Note

   "bva" means to come out of; for respect change the subject marker to "vha"

10. Dzina ḽavho ndi nnyi?

    What is your name?

    Usage

    A polite way to ask the name of an elder or a stranger

    Grammar Note

    Literally "your name is who"; "ḽavho" has a mark under the "ḽ". This is a composed sentence; native review is advised

11. Dzina ḽau ndi nnyi?

    What is your name?

    Usage

    Asks the name of a child or a friend

    Grammar Note

    Literally "your name is who". This is a composed sentence; native review is advised

12. Zwa vhukuma?

    Really?

    Usage

    A reaction to check whether something is true

    Grammar Note

    Literally "of truth?"

13. Zwi dzhia tshifhinga tshingafhani?

    How long does it take?

    Usage

    Asks how long something takes, such as a trip or a procedure

    Grammar Note

    "dzhia" means to take; it is the verb used for time "taking"

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