Question Words

1. Yini?

   What?

   Usage

   The basic question word for asking about things

   Grammar Note

   Not Zulu "ini". It often stands at the end of the sentence

2. Kwihi?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks about a place. It follows the noun as in "Xitichi xi kwihi?"

   Grammar Note

   Not Zulu "kuphi"

3. Rini?

   When?

   Usage

   Asks about time

   Grammar Note

   Not Zulu "nini"

4. Mani?

   Who?

   Usage

   Asks about a person

   Grammar Note

   Not Zulu "ubani"

5. Hikwalaho ka yini?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason. A very common wording in the sources

   Grammar Note

   Literally "for what reason". Each part is written as a separate word

6. Njhani?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks about the way or manner of something

   Grammar Note

   Not Zulu "kanjani"

7. U huma kwihi?

   Where are you from?

   Usage

   Asks where someone comes from. For an elder the plural "Mi huma kwihi?" is more polite

   Grammar Note

   The form "U huma kwihi?" appears in the sources. Answer with a place name carrying "e-" (e.g. eJapani)

8. Vito ra wena i mani?

   What is your name?

   Usage

   Asks someone's name. For an elder use the polite plural

   Grammar Note

   "vito" is class 5, so the linker is "ra". The answer is "Vito ra mina i ...". The sentence is composed from dictionary-verified words and was not found verbatim in the sources

9. U ni malembe mangani?

   How old are you?

   Usage

   Asks someone's age. The answer is "Ndzi ni malembe ya ..."

   Grammar Note

   "malembe" is the plural of "lembe" (year); "mangani" (how many) agrees with class 6. The sentence is composed from dictionary-verified words and was not found verbatim in the sources

10. Xana u nga ndzi pfuna?

    Can you help me?

    Usage

    A question asking for help. To staff or elders use the plural "Xana mi nga ndzi pfuna?"

    Grammar Note

    "xana" opens a question; "ndzi" is the object concord before the verb. The sentence is composed from dictionary-verified words and was not found verbatim in the sources

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