Question Words

1. ぬー？

   Nuu?

   What?

   Usage

   The question word to ask what something is or what was said

2. まー？

   Maa?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks for a place; point at a map or an object while you say it

3. いち？

   I-chi?

   When?

   Usage

   Asks about time — departures, opening hours

4. たー？

   Taa?

   Who?

   Usage

   Asks about a person, including who is in charge

5. ぬーんち？

   Nuun-chi?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason; keep your tone soft so it does not sound like an accusation

   Grammar Note

   nuu-Ndici, listed under nuu (what), is the word for "why"; nuunchi is its contracted modern form

6. ちゃーし？

   Chaa-shi?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks for a method — how to get there, how to use something

7. いくち？

   I-ku-chi?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a number of things, people, or stops

8. ちゃっさやいびーが？

   Chas-sa yai-bii-ga?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The standard way to ask a price — the most used shopping question

9. じる？

   Ji-ru?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Choosing among options; use it while pointing

10. くれーぬーやいびーが？

    Ku-ree nuu yai-bii-ga?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Point at a dish or an item to ask what it is — handy in markets and eateries

11. トイレーまーやいびーが？

    Toi-ree maa yai-bii-ga?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    One of the most used travel questions; fine to ask anyone

    Grammar Note

    The word for a toilet is huru. Do not use fuinchii — that is huiNci, a rock-cut tomb. Modern signage uses the Japanese トイレ

12. なんどぅちやいびーが？

    Nan-du-chi yai-bii-ga?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Asks the current time — useful while waiting for transport

13. あいびーみ？

    Ai-bii-mi?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is available; point at the item and it works

14. なやびーみ？

    Na-ya-bii-mi?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is possible — a discount, a repair, a takeaway

    Grammar Note

    The polite form of the verb najuN (to be possible). The stem is naja-, so the vowel is short: naya-, not nayaa-

15. じんかかいびーみ？

    Jin ka-kai-bii-mi?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

    Check whether luggage storage, entry, or Wi-Fi costs money

    Grammar Note

    jin means money

16. ただやいびーみ？

    Ta-da yai-bii-mi?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    Check whether a sample, a map, or a shuttle is free of charge

17. ゆたさんやいびーみ？

    Yu-ta-san yai-bii-mi?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    For asking permission; use it with a pointing gesture

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