Question Words

1. Deɛn?

   What?

   Usage

   The question word for asking about a thing

   Grammar Note

   Question words stay in place without inversion. Akuapem Twi writes it dɛn.

2. Ɛhe?

   Where?

   Usage

   The question word for place. It can stand alone or end a sentence

   Grammar Note

   An interrogative adverb meaning "where", which follows the verb.

3. Bere bɛn?

   When?

   Usage

   Asks about time. bere is "time, season" and bɛn is "which"

   Grammar Note

   bere "time" followed by the interrogative determiner bɛn "which".

4. Hwan?

   Who?

   Usage

   The question word for a person

   Grammar Note

   An interrogative pronoun meaning "who".

5. Adɛn?

   Why?

   Usage

   The question word for a reason

   Grammar Note

   An interrogative adverb meaning "why".

6. Sɛn?

   How?

   Usage

   The question word for manner or state. It also ends "Wo ho te sɛn?"

   Grammar Note

   The question word sɛn is often placed at the end of the sentence.

7. Ɛboɔ yɛ sɛn?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The basic way to ask a price. In markets the answer is often given in English numbers

   Grammar Note

   Literally "how is the price?". The noun boɔ means both "rock" and "price".

8. Deɛn ne eyi?

   What is this?

   Usage

   Point at something and ask. Useful at stalls and markets to learn names

   Grammar Note

   ne links "A is B"; the question word comes first.

9. Tiafi wɔ he?

   Where is the toilet?

   Usage

   One of the most important place questions. Use it in shops and eateries

   Grammar Note

   wɔ means "to be at" and he "where" ends the sentence.

10. Wowɔ nsuo?

    Do you have water?

    Usage

    wɔ means both "have" and "be at". Swap nsuo for another noun to ask "do you have ...?"

    Grammar Note

    There is no question particle here; the question is marked only by intonation.

11. Wobɛtumi aboa me?

    Can you help me?

    Usage

    A polite way to ask for help

    Grammar Note

    The verb after tumi "can" takes the prefix a-. bɛ- marks the future.

12. Wofiri he?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    A common conversation opener between travellers and locals

    Grammar Note

    firi means "to come from". Answer with Mefiri followed by a place.

13. Wo din de deɛn?

    What is your name?

    Usage

    The basic way to ask a name. The same construction appears in written Twi

    Grammar Note

    Literally "your name is called what?".

14. Wote he?

    Where do you live?

    Usage

    Asks where someone lives or is staying

    Grammar Note

    te means "to live, stay"; the same word also means "to understand".

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