Question Words

1. Ngara?

   What?

   Usage

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

2. Ngar ker?

   Where?

   Usage

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

3. Oingerang?

   When?

   Usage

   For departure times and opening hours

4. Ng techa?

   Who?

   Usage

   To ask who is in charge or whose something is

   Grammar Note

   techa / techang means "who"; the initial ng is the third-person subject particle, so the standard spelling separates them as "Ng techa?" (cf. the example Ng techa a dilu er kau me ke me er tiang? = "Who told you to come here?")

5. Ng ngera a uchul?

   Why?

   Usage

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

6. Ngua ngerang?

   How?

   Usage

   For how to get somewhere or how to use something

7. Tela?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks a count; hold up fingers to confirm the number

8. Tela a cheral?

   How much is it?

   Usage

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

9. Ngara el tang?

   Which one?

   Usage

   When you need someone to pick from several options

10. Ngara tia?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Point at an unfamiliar item in a market or eatery

11. Ngar ker a toilet?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

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

12. Ng tela el klok?

    What time is it?

    Usage

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

13. Ngar er ngii?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

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

14. Ke sebechem?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

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

15. Ngar er ngii a cheral?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

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

16. Ng diak a cheral?

    Is it free?

    Usage

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

17. Ng ungil?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    For asking permission; use it with a pointing gesture

18. Ng diak el ungil?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    For double-checking after being turned down

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