Question Words

1. Mba'e?

   What?

   Usage

   Works on its own; point at the thing as you say it

2. Moõ?

   Where?

   Usage

   Ask for a place; add a place or object name in front to make a sentence

3. Araka'e?

   When?

   Usage

   For departure times and opening hours

4. Máva?

   Who?

   Usage

   To ask who is in charge or whose something is

5. Mba'ére?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason; in some languages it sounds blunt, so smile

6. Mba'éichapa?

   How?

   Usage

   For how to get somewhere or how to use something

7. Mboy?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks a count; hold up fingers to confirm the number

8. Mboýpa hepy?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The core shopping question; ask them to show the figure on a calculator

9. Mba'e umívagui?

   Which one?

   Usage

   When you need someone to pick from several options

10. Mba'épa kóva?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Point at an unfamiliar item in a market or eatery

11. Moõpa oĩ baño?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    One of the most-used travel questions — memorise it whole

12. Mba'e óra piko?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Ask the time; having them show a clock face avoids number confusion

13. Reguerekópa?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    Asks about stock or vacancy; put it after the name of the thing

14. Ikatúpa rejapo?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

    Checks whether a request is possible; also opens a price negotiation

15. Ojepagapa?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

    For luggage storage, Wi-Fi, or entry — check before you use it

16. Reípa?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    Confirm that a sample, a bottle of water, or a service costs nothing

17. Iporãpa?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    For asking permission; use it with a pointing gesture

18. Ndaiporãi?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    For double-checking after being turned down

    Grammar Note

    The negation frame "nd(a)…i" surrounds the verb

19. Reikove porãpa?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    Checking on someone's wellbeing — a different role from asking permission

    Grammar Note

    Literally "are you living well"

20. Añetépa?

    Really?

    Usage

    A quick check when something surprises you

21. Añeteiterépa?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Pressing for confirmation of a fact — a more formal expression

    Grammar Note

    The intensifier "-eterei" (truly/very much) strengthens the confirmation

22. Mamógui reju?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    A natural conversation opener

23. Mba'e nde réra?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    A natural conversation opener

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