Question Words

1. कितें?

   kiteṃ?

   What?

   Usage

   A one-word request for clarification

   Grammar Note

   "What" is कितें, not Marathi काय.

2. खंय?

   khaṃy?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks for a location; point at a map or photo

   Grammar Note

   "Where" is खंय, not Marathi कुठे.

3. केन्ना?

   kennā?

   When?

   Usage

   Asks for a time or date, e.g. departure times

   Grammar Note

   "When" is केन्ना, not Marathi केव्हा.

4. कोण?

   koṇ?

   Who?

   Usage

   To ask who someone is or who is in charge

   Grammar Note

   "Who" is कोण, the same form as in Marathi.

5. कित्याक?

   kityāk?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason; it can sound blunt, so smile

   Grammar Note

   "Why" is कित्याक, not Marathi का.

6. कशें?

   kaśeṃ?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks how to do something, e.g. at a ticket machine

   Grammar Note

   The question word agrees with the subject (कसो m / कशी f / कशें n). Not Marathi कसे.

7. कितलें?

   kitaleṃ?

   How many? / How much?

   Usage

   Asks a count or amount; the ending agrees with the thing counted

   Grammar Note

   Agrees in gender: कितलो / कितली / कितलें. Marathi किती is invariable and different.

8. खंयचें?

   khaṃyaceṃ?

   Which one?

   Usage

   For choosing between options; use it while pointing

   Grammar Note

   "Which" agrees in gender: खंयचो / खंयची / खंयचें (खंय "where" + genitive ending).

9. हें कितें?

   heṃ kiteṃ?

   What is this?

   Usage

   Point at a dish or product to ask what it is

   Grammar Note

   Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar (not found as a sentence in a source). A copula-less nominal sentence; हें is the neuter demonstrative.

10. संडास खंय आसा?

    saṃḍās khaṃy āsā?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    One of the most-used questions of a trip; शौचालय is the formal word

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar (not found as a sentence in a source). "Where is X?" is X खंय आसा?; the existence verb is आसा (not Marathi आहे).

11. हें फुकट?

    heṃ phukaṭ?

    Is this free?

    Usage

    Confirms something is free of charge

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar (not found as a sentence in a source). No question particle; intonation asks. फुकट is listed with मोफत and निशुल्क.

12. तुमी खंयचे?

    tumī khaṃyace?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    A common conversation starter; to a man or several people

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar (not found as a sentence in a source). "From where" is खंयचो agreeing with the subject; to a woman use खंयची.

13. तुमचें नांव कितें?

    tumaceṃ nāṃv kiteṃ?

    What is your name?

    Usage

    Polite way to ask a name; to a friend use तुजें नांव कितें?

    Grammar Note

    Nominal sentences need no copula; the possessive agrees with the possessed noun (नांव is neuter).

14. तुमी खंय वतात?

    tumī khaṃy vatāt?

    Where are you going?

    Usage

    Asks someone's destination, e.g. with a taxi driver

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar (not found as a sentence in a source). The present plural of वचप is वतात; खंय also means "to where" (dictionary example "खंय गेलो?").

15. तुमकां कितें जाय?

    tumakāṃ kiteṃ jāy?

    What do you need?

    Usage

    Asks what someone wants; a shopkeeper's question

    Grammar Note

    Need is the dative construction person + -क + thing + जाय (dictionary example "तुका कितें जाय").

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