Question Words

1. شنو؟

   Shinu?

   What?

   Usage

   The basic word for "what". It often comes at the end of a sentence

   Grammar Note

   In Sudan "what" is "شنو". It differs from the Egyptian "ايه" and the Levantine "شو"

2. وين؟

   Wēn?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks for a place. "وين" alone is understood

   Grammar Note

   Not the Egyptian "فين". "من وين" means "from where"

3. متين؟

   Mitēn?

   When?

   Usage

   Asks about a time, as in "متين الباص؟" (when is the bus?)

   Grammar Note

   Vowels in the romanization are estimated. Not the Egyptian "امتى"

4. منو؟

   Minu?

   Who?

   Usage

   Asks about a person. "دا منو؟" is "who is this?"

   Grammar Note

   Not the Egyptian "مين". "منو" can also mean "from him", so context decides

5. ليه؟

   Lēh?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason. It works alone or at the start of a sentence

   Grammar Note

   Vowels in the romanization are estimated. Close to "ليهو" (to him) but a different word

6. كيف؟

   Kēf?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks about a way or a state. It goes before the verb, as in "كيف امشي؟"

   Grammar Note

   The form "كيفن" is also used

7. كم؟

   Kam?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a number. A noun follows, as in "كم يوم؟" (how many days)

   Grammar Note

   The noun after "كم" is normally singular

8. دا بي كم؟

   Da bi kam?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   Asks the price while pointing at an item. "بكم دا؟" is also said

   Grammar Note

   Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "بي كم" means "for how much" and is the usual price question. It is rare in the sources, so a check is advisable

9. ياتو؟

   Yātu?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Used to choose among options. It also goes before a noun to mean "which ..."

   Grammar Note

   Not the Egyptian "انهي"

10. دا شنو؟

    Da shinu?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Asks about an unfamiliar object or dish. For a feminine noun say "دي شنو؟"

    Grammar Note

    No verb "is" is needed; placing the words side by side makes the sentence

11. وين الحمام؟

    Wēn il-ḥammām?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    The standard way to ask for the toilet when out

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "الحمام" is used for both the toilet and the bathroom. The question word comes first

12. الساعة كم؟

    Is-sāʿa kam?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Asks the current time. "الساعة كم هسي؟" also works

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "الساعة" means "the hour, the clock". "كم" asks for the number

13. عندكم؟

    ʿIndakum?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    Asks a shop whether they have something. Say the item first, as in "موية عندكم؟" (do you have water?)

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "عند" plus a person ending expresses "have". "-كم" is the plural or polite "you"

14. بتقدر؟

    Bitagdar?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

    Asks whether someone is able to do something. Add a verb: "بتقدر تساعدني؟" (can you help me?)

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "ق" is pronounced "g". For a woman say "بتقدري"

15. دا مجاني؟

    Da majjāni?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    Asks whether admission or a service is free

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Same form as Modern Standard Arabic; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "مجاني" has the same form as standard Arabic

16. كدا تمام؟

    Kida tamām?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    Checks whether the way or place is right

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "تمام" alone means "fine". "ماشي" means "walking", so do not use it for OK

17. دا ممنوع؟

    Da mamnūʿ?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    Asks whether something such as photography or entry is forbidden

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Same form as Modern Standard Arabic; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "ممنوع" has the same form as standard Arabic and appears on signs

18. انت كويس؟

    Inta kuwayyis?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    Said to someone who looks unwell. To a woman say "انتي كويسة؟"

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. The adjective "كويس" becomes "كويسة" for a woman

19. بالجد؟

    Bil-jadd?

    Really?

    Usage

    A reaction of surprise. It can come at the start or end of a sentence

    Grammar Note

    Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "ب" plus "جد" gives "seriously". "صاح؟" is also said

20. انت متأكد؟

    Inta mutaʾakkid?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Double-checks an answer. To a woman say "انتي متأكدة؟"

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Same form as Modern Standard Arabic; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "متأكد" is shared with standard Arabic

21. انت من وين؟

    Inta min wēn?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    Asks where someone is from on first meeting. To a woman say "انتي من وين؟"

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "من" marks origin. A reply is "أنا من اليابان" (I am from Japan)

22. اسمك شنو؟

    Ismak shinu?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    Asks a name. The answer is "اسمي ..." (my name is ...)

    Grammar Note

    Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "اسم" plus "-ك" is "your name". "شنو", not "منو", is used

23. عمرك كم سنة؟

    ʿUmrak kam sana?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asks someone's age. Best used once you know each other

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "عمر" means "age, lifetime". Literally "your age is how many years?"

24. ممكن ناخد صورة سوا؟

    Mumkin nākhud ṣūra sawa?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    Asks to take a souvenir photo together. Always ask permission before photographing people

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "ممكن" asks permission. The verb "ناخد" (take) plus "صورة" gives "take a photo"

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