Forming Questions
How to ask questions in Bisaya
Overview
Bisaya has several question words and patterns. Questions can be formed using question words at the beginning of a sentence, or by using the particle 'ba' to turn statements into yes/no questions. Key question words: • Unsa - What • Kinsa - Who • Asa - Where • Kanus-a - When • Ngano - Why • Pila - How much/many • Unsaon - How (to do something)
Examples
Unsa imong ngalan?
What is your name?
💡 'Unsa' = What. Notice: What + your + name (different word order from English)
Asa ka padulong?
Where are you going?
💡 'Asa' = Where
Kanus-a ka moabot?
When will you arrive?
💡 'Kanus-a' = When
Kinsa siya?
Who is he/she?
💡 'Kinsa' = Who
Ngano wala ka mianha?
Why didn't you come?
💡 'Ngano' = Why
Pila ang edad nimo?
How old are you? (What is your age?)
💡 'Pila' = How much/many - used for quantities and age
Gusto ka ba ug kape?
Do you want coffee?
💡 'Ba' turns a statement into a yes/no question
Unsaon pag-adto didto?
How do I get there?
💡 'Unsaon' = How to do something
💡 Tips to Remember
- •Question words usually come at the beginning of the sentence
- •Add 'ba' after the subject/pronoun for yes/no questions
- •'Unsaon' (How to do something) = 'unsa' + '-on' verb ending
- •Rising intonation also indicates a question, even without 'ba'
- •'Diin' is an alternative to 'asa' for 'where' in some dialects