Questions Without a Question Word
Same words as a statement, ending in ?. No special word.
How It Works
A statement can often become a yes or no question with no extra word.
| Statement | Question |
|---|---|
| Ị na-agụ akwụkwọ. | Ị na-agụ akwụkwọ? |
| Ọ nọ n'ụlọ. | Ọ nọ n'ụlọ? |
| Ị chọrọ mmiri. | Ị chọrọ mmiri? |
Answer with ee “yes” or mba “no”, often followed by a short sentence. Because Igbo is a tone language, the voice does not simply rise at the end the way it often does in English. Listen to the audio for each question.
Examples (4)
- Ị na-agụ akwụkwọ?
Are you reading?
The question mark is the only change.
- Ọ nọ n'ụlọ?
Is he or she at home?
Same word order as a statement.
- Ị chọrọ mmiri?
Do you want water?
A question about wanting.
- Ada gara ahịa?
Did Ada go to the market?
A name as the subject.
How It Connects
Learn This First
A yes or no question keeps the word order of a statement, so word order comes first.
Related Patterns
Practice Questions Without a Question Word in Bubblegum
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