Question Words

1. Wat?

   What?

   Usage

   Basic question word for things and matters

   Grammar Note

   Spelled like Dutch "wat"

2. Wêr?

   Where?

   Usage

   Question word for places. Keep the circumflex on the ê

   Grammar Note

   Frisian "waar" means weather or goods and cannot ask for a place

3. Wannear?

   When?

   Usage

   Question word for time

   Grammar Note

   The word corresponding to Dutch "wanneer"; it ends in -ear

4. Wa?

   Who?

   Usage

   Question word for people

   Grammar Note

   "Who" is "wa". Frisian "wie" means "was" (past of "wêze"), not "who"

5. Wêrom?

   Why?

   Usage

   Question word for reasons

   Grammar Note

   Built from "wêr" plus "om"; it keeps the circumflex ê

6. Hoe?

   How?

   Usage

   Question word for manner and state

   Grammar Note

   Spelled like Dutch "hoe"

7. Hoefolle?

   How much? / How many?

   Usage

   Question word for amounts and numbers

   Grammar Note

   Built from "hoe" (how) and "folle" (much)

8. Wat kostet it?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   Basic price question, usable in shops and markets alike

   Grammar Note

   Literally "What does it cost?". The verb is the 3rd person singular "kostet" of "kostje"

9. Hokker?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Question word for choosing among several

   Grammar Note

   The word corresponding to Dutch "welke"

10. Wat is dit?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Asks what something in front of you is

    Grammar Note

    "dit" is the neuter "this"

11. Wêr is it húske?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    "húske" is the everyday word for toilet. Signs may also show "toilet" or "wc"

    Grammar Note

    "húske" is a neuter noun, hence article "it". "Where" is "wêr"

12. Hoe let is it?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Standard way to ask the time. Not the Dutch "Hoe laat is het?"

    Grammar Note

    Literally "How late is it?". "let" means late

13. Hawwe jo dat?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    Used in a shop to ask whether an item is available

    Grammar Note

    Polite "jo" takes the plural verb form (jo hawwe)

14. Kin dat?

    Is that possible?

    Usage

    A short question to check whether something can be done

    Grammar Note

    "kin" is the 3rd person singular of "kinne". Not the Dutch "kan"

15. Moat ik betelje?

    Do I have to pay?

    Usage

    Used to check whether something costs money

    Grammar Note

    "moat" is the 1st person singular of "moatte". In questions the verb comes before the subject

16. Is it fergees?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    Asks whether admission or an item is free of charge

    Grammar Note

    "fergees" means "free of charge". Not the Dutch "gratis"

17. Is dit goed?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    Checks whether something you gave or wrote is acceptable

    Grammar Note

    "goed" means "good", spelled as in Dutch

18. Mei dat net?

    Isn't that allowed?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is not allowed. Composed sentence

    Grammar Note

    "mei" is the singular of "meie" (may); it is spelled like the preposition "mei" (with)

19. Giet it goed mei jo?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    A polite question to someone who seems unwell

    Grammar Note

    Related to "Hoe giet it mei jo?". "giet" is the 3rd person singular of "gean"

20. Echt?

    Really?

    Usage

    A reaction of surprise

    Grammar Note

    "echt" means "real" or "really" and works as a short reaction

21. Binne jo der wis fan?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Used to double-check what someone says

    Grammar Note

    "der ... fan" means "of it". Polite "jo" takes the plural verb "binne"

22. Wêr komme jo wei?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    Politely asks where someone comes from. Composed sentence

    Grammar Note

    "komme" is the plural form used with "jo". "wêr ... wei" means "from where"

23. Hoe hjitte jo?

    What is your name?

    Usage

    Politely asks someone's name. With friends: "Hoe hjitsto?"

    Grammar Note

    The verb "hjitte" (be called) takes the plural form with "jo", which looks the same as the infinitive

24. Hoe âld binne jo?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Politely asks a person's age; not usually asked of strangers

    Grammar Note

    The â has a circumflex. With friends: "Hoe âld bisto?"

25. Kinne wy tegearre in foto meitsje?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    A way to ask a local for a photo together. Composed sentence

    Grammar Note

    With plural subjects the form is "kinne". "Take a photo" is "foto meitsje" (literally make a photo)

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