Question Words

1. کیٛا؟

   Kyā?

   What?

   Usage

   Used to ask what something is or to ask someone to repeat.

   Grammar Note

   Question word. Written کیٛا with U+065B, not the Urdu spelling کیا.

2. کتہِ؟

   Kati?

   Where?

   Usage

   The basic word for asking about a place.

   Grammar Note

   The final ہِ stands for the vowel i. Do not confuse with کَتھ "talk", which differs by one letter.

3. کَر؟

   Kar?

   When?

   Usage

   Used to ask about time.

   Grammar Note

   Koul has toh' kar yiyiv "when will you come?".

4. کُس؟

   Kus?

   Who? (masc.)

   Usage

   About a man. For a woman a separate feminine form is used.

   Grammar Note

   The interrogative pronoun changes with gender. The feminine spelling is not confirmed, so it is not used here.

5. کیٛازِ؟

   Kyāzi?

   Why?

   Usage

   Used to ask for a reason.

   Grammar Note

   An adverb listed under this spelling in Wiktionary.

6. قیٖمَت کیٛا چھُ؟

   Qīmat kyā chu?

   How much is it? (What is the price?)

   Usage

   Said while pointing at an item in a shop or market.

   Grammar Note

   Literally "what is the price?". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar. Koul lists k1:math (price) as masculine.

7. یہِ کیٛا چھُ؟

   Yi kyā chu?

   What is this?

   Usage

   For asking about an unfamiliar object or dish.

   Grammar Note

   The wh-word comes before the verb. The copula is چھُ with the masculine/neutral demonstrative.

8. تُہِی کیٛا چھُ ناو؟

   Tohi kyā chu nāv?

   What's your name?

   Usage

   To ask someone's name when introducing yourselves.

   Grammar Note

   A dative construction "to-you what is name". Koul has tOhi k'a: chu na:v? "What's your name?".

9. بازار کتہِ چھُ؟

   Bāzār kati chu?

   Where is the market?

   Usage

   Basic way to ask where something is: noun + کتہِ + copula.

   Grammar Note

   Verb-second order. A feminine noun takes چھہِ; ks.wikipedia has باغ کتہِ چھہِ؟.

10. ہوٹل کتہِ چھُ؟

    Hōṭal kati chu?

    Where is the hotel?

    Usage

    To ask the way when lost.

    Grammar Note

    The loanword is treated as masculine. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

11. ہَسپَتال کتہِ چھُ؟

    Haspatāl kati chu?

    Where is the hospital?

    Usage

    For asking the way when unwell or in an emergency.

    Grammar Note

    Hassan lists haspatāl as masculine. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

12. دُکان کتہِ چھُ؟

    Dukān kati chu?

    Where is the shop?

    Usage

    To ask where to shop.

    Grammar Note

    Koul lists duka:n as masculine. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

13. ٹھیٖک چھِوا؟

    Ṭhīk chivā?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    To check on someone who looks unwell or has fallen.

    Grammar Note

    Koul's greeting paper has Thiikh chivaa? "Are you OK?".

14. یہِ کُس چھُ؟

    Yi kus chu?

    Who is this?

    Usage

    To ask who someone in a photo or at the door is.

    Grammar Note

    Form for a man. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

Browse all TravelPhrases languages