Question Words

1. Šta?

   What?

   Usage

   The basic question word for asking about things

   Grammar Note

   Bosnian uses "šta"; "što" is the Croatian form.

2. Gdje?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks about a place

   Grammar Note

   Ijekavian form; the ekavian "gde" is not used.

3. Kada?

   When?

   Usage

   Asks about time

4. Ko?

   Who?

   Usage

   Asks about a person

   Grammar Note

   Bosnian uses "ko"; "tko" is the Croatian form.

5. Zašto?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason

6. Kako?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks about the way something is done or how it is

7. Koliko?

   How many? / How much?

   Usage

   Asks about a number or an amount

8. Koliko košta?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   Asks the price; the currency is the KM (konvertibilna marka)

9. Koji?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Used to pick among options; this is the masculine form

   Grammar Note

   "koji" is masculine; it changes with gender: "koja" (feminine), "koje" (neuter).

10. Šta je ovo?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Asks about something unfamiliar that you point at

11. Gdje je toalet?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    An essential phrase for finding the toilet

12. Koliko je sati?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    The standard way to ask the time

    Grammar Note

    Literally "how many hours is it"; "sati" is the genitive plural of "sat".

13. Imate li?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    Asks whether a shop or person has something; add the item after it

14. Možete li?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

    Opens a request; a verb can follow (Možete li mi pomoći?)

15. Da li se plaća?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

    Asks whether entry or use costs money

    Grammar Note

    "Da li" opens a yes/no question in neutral speech; "se" makes the verb passive ("is it paid").

16. Da li je besplatno?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is free of charge

17. Da li je ovo u redu?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    Checks that what you did or chose is acceptable

18. Zar nije dozvoljeno?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    Checks whether something is forbidden

    Grammar Note

    "Zar" adds surprise or a request for confirmation; "dozvoljeno" is the neuter participle of "dozvoliti" (to allow).

19. Jeste li dobro?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    Asks someone who looks unwell if they are all right

    Grammar Note

    "Jeste li" is addressed to "Vi"; with a friend say "Jesi li dobro?".

20. Stvarno?

    Really?

    Usage

    A reaction showing surprise or asking for confirmation

21. Jeste li sigurni?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Checks whether the other person is certain

    Grammar Note

    "sigurni" is plural, as is usual when addressing "Vi", whatever the person's gender.

22. Odakle ste?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    Asks where someone comes from

23. Kako se zovete?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    Asks a name; the answer is "Zovem se …"

    Grammar Note

    Literally "how do you call yourself"; with a friend say "Kako se zoveš?".

24. Koliko imate godina?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asks someone's age; best used once you know each other

25. Možemo li se zajedno slikati?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    Asks to take a photo together with someone

    Grammar Note

    "slikati se" means "to take a photo"; "li" follows the verb directly.

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