gịnị: What

Level 1

Gịnị at the start, then bụ or ka.

How It Works

Gịnị usually comes first in the question.

Pattern	Example	Meaning
gịnị + bụ	Gịnị bụ aha gị?	What is your name?
gịnị + ka	Gịnị ka ị chọrọ?	What do you want?
gịnị + bụ	Gịnị bụ nke a?	What is this?

The small word ka follows the question word in many questions, and the subject comes after it. Answers use the same word order as a statement: Achọrọ m mmiri “I want water”.

For why, use gịnị mere.

Examples (4)

Gịnị bụ aha gị?
What is your name?
Bụ links gịnị and aha gị.
Gịnị ka ị chọrọ?
What do you want?
Ka follows the question word.
Gịnị bụ nke a?
What is this?
Nke a stands for the thing.
Gịnị ka ọ na-eri?
What is he or she eating?
A question with na-.

How It Connects

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gịnị: WhatLevel 1

Learn This First

Gịnị takes the place of the answer after bụ, so bụ comes first.

bụ: Who or What Something Is
Know bụ, because gịnị most often comes with it in a question: Gịnị bụ aha gị? “what is your name?”.
Level 1

Words in This Pattern

gịnị

Practice gịnị: What in Bubblegum

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