Question Words

1. 什么？

   Shénme?

   What?

   Usage

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

2. 哪里？

   Nǎlǐ?

   Where?

   Usage

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

3. 什么时候？

   Shénme shíhou?

   When?

   Usage

   Asks about time — departures, opening hours

4. 谁？

   Shéi?

   Who?

   Usage

   Asks about a person, including who is in charge

5. 为什么？

   Wèishénme?

   Why?

   Usage

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

6. 怎么做？

   Zěnme zuò?

   How?

   Usage

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

7. 几个？

   Jǐ ge?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a number of things, people, or stops

8. 多少钱？

   Duōshao qián?

   How much is it?

   Usage

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

9. 哪一个？

   Nǎ yí ge?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Choosing among options; use it while pointing

10. 这是什么？

    Zhè shì shénme?

    What is this?

    Usage

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

11. 厕所在哪里？

    Cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

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

12. 现在几点？

    Xiànzài jǐ diǎn?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Asks the current time — useful while waiting for transport

13. 有吗？

    Yǒu ma?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

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

14. 可以吗？

    Kěyǐ ma?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

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

15. 要收费吗？

    Yào shōufèi ma?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

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

16. 免费吗？

    Miǎnfèi ma?

    Is it free?

    Usage

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

17. 可以吗？

    Kěyǐ ma?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    Asks for permission; pair it with pointing

18. 不可以吗？

    Bù kěyǐ ma?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    Used to double-check after being turned down

19. 您还好吗？

    Nín hái hǎo ma?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    Used to check on someone's wellbeing — a different role from "可以吗？" (asking permission)

    Grammar Note

    "您" is the polite form of "你" (you), used with strangers or elders

20. 真的吗？

    Zhēnde ma?

    Really?

    Usage

    A short reaction confirming something surprising

21. 确定吗？

    Quèdìng ma?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Presses for confirmation of a fact — more formal than "真的吗？"

22. 您从哪里来？

    Nín cóng nǎlǐ lái?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    A classic conversation starter

23. 您叫什么名字？

    Nín jiào shénme míngzi?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    A classic conversation starter

24. 您多大年纪？

    Nín duō dà niánjì?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Commonly asked of older people, but can feel intrusive with, e.g., young women — read the relationship before asking

25. 可以一起拍张照吗？

    Kěyǐ yìqǐ pāi zhāng zhào ma?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    Asks for permission to take a photo together

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