Questions Inside Sentences

Level 3

Bi + addressee + pé + question content reports asking; mọ̀ bóyá + clause embeds a whether question.

How It Works

A reported question has an outer clause identifying the asker and addressee, followed by question content. Mid-tone bi means “ask”; pé introduces the content. The inner question retains Yoruba question structure, including ni in the illustrated place and object questions. These words receive no person or number suffixes.

Compare Níbo ni Adé ń gbé?, “Where does Adé live?”, with a statement reporting that someone asked Adé about his residence. The report need not request an answer from the current listener. Inner pronouns get their reference from context; a name can clarify the intended participant. English indirect-question order does not determine Yoruba formation.

A knowing complement can use mọ̀ bóyá, with bóyá introducing whether a clause holds. These excerpts support that pattern and bi ... pé reports. Other question types under knowing or discovering predicates remain unverified; learn each governing verb with its supported complement pattern.

Examples (4)

  1. Adé bi mi pé kí ni mo fẹ́.

    Adé asked me what I wanted.

    The outer clause identifies the asker and addressee.

  2. Mo bi Adé pé níbo ni ó ń gbé.

    I asked Adé where he lives.

    In the intended context, ó refers to Adé; its form does not specify gender.

  3. A bi wọn pé kí ni wọ́n ń kà.

    We asked them what they were reading.

    The inner question concerns the object of reading.

  4. Mo fẹ́ mọ̀ bóyá Adé ti ra ìwé.

    I want to know whether Adé has bought a book.

    Bóyá introduces the embedded whether question.

How It Connects

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

Questions Inside SentencesLevel 3

Learn This First

Bi ... pé reports question content; mọ̀ bóyá introduces a whether question.