Question Words

1. Khuyini?

   What?

   Usage

   The basic "what?" for asking about things or matters

   Grammar Note

   Put at the start of a sentence, as in "Khuyini ubulwele beswigiri?" (What is diabetes?). The shape differs from Zulu "Yini"

2. Ngubani?

   Who?

   Usage

   "Who?", asking about a person

   Grammar Note

   Used at the start of a sentence, as in "Ngubani ibizo lakho?" (What is your name?)

3. Kungani?

   Why?

   Usage

   "Why?", asking for a reason

   Grammar Note

   Put at the start (for example "Kungani utjho njalo?", Why do you say so?). "kubayini" at the end of a sentence means the same

4. Nini?

   When?

   Usage

   "When?", asking about time

   Grammar Note

   Placed after the verb (for example "Bazokukhamba nini?", When will they leave?)

5. Bunjani?

   How is it?

   Usage

   "How is it?", asking about a state or situation

   Grammar Note

   Put before the noun, as in "Bunjani ubujamo bezulu namhlanje?" (How is the weather today?)

6. Bunjani ubujamo bezulu namhlanje?

   What is the weather like today?

   Usage

   Ask about the weather before going out

   Grammar Note

   Literally "How is the condition of the weather today". "ubujamo bezulu" is the weather condition

7. Ngubani ibizo lakho?

   What is your name?

   Usage

   Ask a new acquaintance for their name

   Grammar Note

   "ibizo" is "name"; "igama" also exists. "Ungubani ibizo lakho?" is a variant

8. Abadala babhadela malini?

   How much do adults pay?

   Usage

   Ask the adult price for an entrance fee or fare

   Grammar Note

   "malini" is "how much". For children say "Abentwana babhadela malini?"

9. Yimalini lokhu?

   How much is this?

   Usage

   Ask a price while pointing at an item

   Grammar Note

   "Yimalini" asks what amount of money. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

10. Khuyini lokhu?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Ask about an unknown object or dish while pointing

    Grammar Note

    Same pattern as "Khuyini isikolo?" (What is a school?). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

11. Indlwana yokuzithumela ikuphi?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    Ask where the toilet is

    Grammar Note

    "indlwana" is a small house; adding "yokuzithumela" makes it a toilet. "ikuphi" means "where is it". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

12. Uhlala kuphi?

    Where do you live?

    Usage

    Ask where someone lives

    Grammar Note

    "kuphi" ("where") goes after the verb. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

13. Ukhamba nobani?

    Who are you going with?

    Usage

    Ask who someone is travelling with

    Grammar Note

    "khamba" is "to go, to walk"; "no-" means "with". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

14. Uzokukhamba nini?

    When will you leave?

    Usage

    Ask the time or day of departure

    Grammar Note

    "zoku-" marks the future (same pattern as "Bazokukhamba nini?", When will they leave?). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

15. Kukhona okufunako?

    Can I help you?

    Usage

    What a shop assistant says to a customer: "Is there something you want?"

    Grammar Note

    Literally "is there what you want". Answer by stating what you need

16. Ungangisiza?

    Could you help me?

    Usage

    A polite way to ask for help

    Grammar Note

    "siza" is "to help". Put "Ngibawa" in front to be more polite

17. Kungani utjho njalo?

    Why do you say so?

    Usage

    Ask the reason behind what someone said

    Grammar Note

    "tjho" is "to say"; "njalo" means "so, like that"

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