Question Words

1. Wanem?

   What?

   Usage

   The question word to ask what something is or what was said

2. We?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks for a place; point at a map or an object while you say it

3. Wanem taim?

   When?

   Usage

   Asks about time — departures, opening hours

4. Husat?

   Who?

   Usage

   Asks about a person, including who is in charge

5. Bilong wanem?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason; keep your tone soft so it does not sound like an accusation

6. Olsem wanem?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks for a method — how to get there, how to use something

7. Hamas?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a number of things, people, or stops

8. Em i hamas mani?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The standard way to ask a price — the most used shopping question

9. Wanem wanpela?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Choosing among options; use it while pointing

10. Dispela em wanem?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Point at a dish or an item to ask what it is — handy in markets and eateries

11. Smolhaus i stap we?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    One of the most used travel questions; fine to ask anyone

12. Em i wanem taim nau?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Asks the current time — useful while waiting for transport

13. I gat?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is available; point at the item and it works

14. Inap?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is possible — a discount, a repair, a takeaway

15. Mi mas baim?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

    Check whether luggage storage, entry, or Wi-Fi costs money

16. Em i fri?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    Check whether a sample, a map, or a shuttle is free of charge

17. Em orait?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    For asking permission; use it with a pointing gesture

18. Em i no orait?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    For double-checking after being turned down

19. Yu orait?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    Checking on someone's wellbeing — a different role from asking permission

20. Tru?

    Really?

    Usage

    A quick check when something surprises you

21. Em i tru stret?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Pressing for confirmation of a fact — more formal than "Tru?"

    Grammar Note

    "Stret" (correct/exact) intensifies the confirmation

22. Yu bilong we?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    A natural conversation opener

23. Wanem nem bilong yu?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    A natural conversation opener

24. Hamas krismas bilong yu?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asking a stranger's age directly, especially a woman's, can feel intrusive — best kept to close friends or children

    Grammar Note

    Literally "how many Christmases do you have" — a Tok Pisin idiom for counting age in years

25. Yumi inap kisim piksa wantaim?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    For asking permission

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