Question Words

1. Kisa?

   What?

   Usage

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

2. Kote?

   Where?

   Usage

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

3. Kilè?

   When?

   Usage

   For departure times and opening hours

4. Kiyès?

   Who?

   Usage

   To ask who is in charge or whose something is

5. Poukisa?

   Why?

   Usage

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

6. Kijan?

   How?

   Usage

   For how to get somewhere or how to use something

7. Konbyen?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks a count; hold up fingers to confirm the number

8. Konbyen sa koute?

   How much is it?

   Usage

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

9. Kilès?

   Which one?

   Usage

   When you need someone to pick from several options

10. Kisa sa ye?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Point at an unfamiliar item in a market or eatery

11. Kote twalèt la ye?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

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

12. Ki lè li ye?

    What time is it?

    Usage

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

13. Èske ou genyen?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

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

14. Èske ou ka fè l?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

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

15. Èske gen frè?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

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

16. Èske li gratis?

    Is it free?

    Usage

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

17. Èske li bon?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    For asking permission; use it with a pointing gesture

18. Èske li entèdi?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    For double-checking after being turned down

19. Èske ou byen?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

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

20. Vre?

    Really?

    Usage

    A quick check when something surprises you

21. Èske ou sèten?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Pressing for confirmation of a fact — on the formal side

22. Ki kote ou soti?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    A natural conversation opener

23. Ki jan ou rele?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    A natural conversation opener

    Grammar Note

    Literally "how are you called"

24. Ki laj ou?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asking a stranger's age directly, especially a woman's, can feel intrusive — best kept to close friends or children

25. Èske nou ka pran yon foto ansanm?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    For asking permission

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