ìgbà wo / nígbà wo

Asking When

Level 1

Ìgbà wo ni and nígbà wo ni introduce fronted when questions.

How It Works

Ìgbà wo asks which time. Before ni in a fronted question, both ìgbà wo and nígbà wo are supported. An action question then supplies its subject and predicate; a nominal question can identify an occasion whose scheduled time is unknown. The time expression has no gender or number endings.

In Ìgbà wo ni ọkọ̀ yóò dé?, yóò supplies future meaning, while the question requests the arrival time. Answers can identify a date, an occasion or a time of day.

Optional initial ní is established for this fronted frame. The attested in-situ pattern retains it. Nígbà tí introduces a time clause rather than a question. Asking when an event happens also differs from counting someone's years in an age question.

Examples (3)

  1. Ìgbà wo ni ọkọ̀ yóò dé?

    When will the vehicle arrive?

    Uses the fronted unprefixed form.

  2. Nígbà wo ni ẹ ti bẹ̀rẹ̀ iṣẹ́?

    When did you start work?

    Requests the time work began.

  3. Nígbà wo ni ìpàdé?

    When is the meeting?

    Requests a scheduled time.