Reported Questions

Level 4

A reported question keeps its question word and loses the question mark.

How It Works

Direct questionReported question
Dolaziš li?Pitao me je da li dolazim.
Hoćeš li doći?Pitala me je hoću li doći.
Gdje je stanica?Ne znam gdje je stanica.

Both da li and the verb with li are good Bosnian. The pattern with li after the verb feels a bit more written.

Careful Bosnian does not use ako for if in a reported question, because ako is for conditions. Common openers are pitati (ask), ne znam (I do not know) and zanima me (I wonder). The verb keeps its normal tense. Its person and the pronouns change to fit the speaker.

Examples (5)

  1. Pitao me je da li dolazim.

    He asked me if I was coming.

    Da li for a yes-no question.

  2. Pitala me je hoću li doći.

    She asked me whether I would come.

    Verb + li.

  3. Ne znam gdje je stanica.

    I do not know where the station is.

    Question word kept.

  4. Zanima me koliko košta put do Jajca.

    I wonder how much the trip to Jajce costs.

    Koliko opens the clause.

  5. Pitam se ko je to.

    I wonder who that is.

    Ko in a reported question.

Common Mistakes

  • Using ako for if

    Pitao me je ako dolazim.
    Pitao me je da li dolazim.

    Ako is for conditions. You may hear it for if in questions, but careful Bosnian uses da li or li.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Reported QuestionsLevel 4

Learn This First

Embedded questions follow reporting.

Words in This Pattern

pitatidalizanimati