kí / kí ni
Asking What
Kí ni precedes an identifying expression or the remaining clause.
How It Works
Kí supplies the meaning 'what'; the fronted question frame taught here uses kí ni. An identification question asks what something is. An object question retains the actual subject after the question phrase and leaves the questioned object understood after the verb. The question phrase has no gender or number endings.
Keep mid-tone ni distinct from high-tone ní. Compare Bísí fẹ́ ra aṣọ., 'Bísí wants to buy clothes,' with Kí ni Bísí fẹ́ rà?, 'What does Bísí want to buy?' Object fronting accounts for the illustrated final low tone.
This fronted frame requires ni in this fronted frame; recognizing lexical kí does not license omitting ni from this frame. Interrogative kí and subordinate-clause kí serve different functions.
Examples (3)
- Kí ni ẹ ń gbé?
What are you carrying?
Ẹ addresses a group or one person respectfully.
- Kí ni Bísí fẹ́ rà?
What does Bísí want to buy?
The unknown object is understood.
- Kí ni èyí?
What is this?
Requests identification.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- Focus With niHighlighting a Participant
Explains the fronted constituent followed by ni.
Level 2 - Highlighting What Is Affected
Develops the ra/rà contrast.
Level 2 - Clause With kíA Desired or Intended Event
Distinguishes subordinate kí.
Level 2 - ǹjẹ́Asking Whether
Requests confirmation rather than content.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice kí / kí ni in Bubblegum
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