Question Words

1. Apa?

   A-pa?

   What?

   Usage

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

2. Di mana?

   Di ma-na?

   Where?

   Usage

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

3. Bila?

   Bi-la?

   When?

   Usage

   Asks about time — departures, opening hours

4. Siapa?

   Si-a-pa?

   Who?

   Usage

   Asks about a person, including who is in charge

5. Kenapa?

   Ke-na-pa?

   Why?

   Usage

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

6. Bagaimana?

   Ba-gai-ma-na?

   How?

   Usage

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

7. Berapa banyak?

   Be-ra-pa ba-nyak?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a number of things, people, or stops

8. Berapa harganya?

   Be-ra-pa har-ga-nya?

   How much is it?

   Usage

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

9. Yang mana?

   Yang ma-na?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Choosing among options; use it while pointing

10. Ini apa?

    I-ni a-pa?

    What is this?

    Usage

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

11. Di mana tandas?

    Di ma-na tan-das?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

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

12. Pukul berapa sekarang?

    Pu-kul be-ra-pa se-ka-rang?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Asks the current time — useful while waiting for transport

13. Ada tak?

    A-da tak?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

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

14. Boleh tak?

    Bo-leh tak?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

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

15. Adakah ini berbayar?

    A-da-kah i-ni ber-ba-yar?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

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

16. Adakah ini percuma?

    A-da-kah i-ni per-cu-ma?

    Is it free?

    Usage

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

17. Boleh ke ini?

    Bo-leh ke i-ni?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    Asking for permission — often used together with pointing

18. Tak boleh ke?

    Tak bo-leh ke?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    Used to double-check after being told no

19. Awak okay tak?

    A-wak okay tak?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    Used to check on someone’s wellbeing — a different role from qst-017, which asks permission

20. Betul ke?

    Be-tul ke?

    Really?

    Usage

    Used to confirm something surprising

21. Awak pasti?

    A-wak pas-ti?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Used to press for certainty about a fact — more formal than qst-020 ("Really?")

22. Awak dari mana?

    A-wak da-ri ma-na?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    A common conversation starter

23. Siapa nama awak?

    Si-a-pa na-ma a-wak?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    A common conversation starter

24. Awak umur berapa?

    A-wak u-mur be-ra-pa?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asking age directly is best kept for people you already know — it can feel a bit forward with strangers or elders

25. Boleh kita bergambar sama-sama?

    Bo-leh ki-ta ber-gam-bar sa-ma-sa-ma?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    Used to ask permission before taking a photo together

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