Question Words

1. Petra ?

   What?

   Usage

   To ask "what" or to ask for something to be repeated

   Grammar Note

   The question word "petra" opens the sentence, as other question words do

2. Pelec'h ?

   Where?

   Usage

   To ask about a place

   Grammar Note

   To ask where something is located, use "Pelec'h emañ ... ?"

3. Pegoulz ?

   When?

   Usage

   To ask about a time

   Grammar Note

   "Pegoulz" opens the sentence and is used for past and future alike

4. Piv ?

   Who?

   Usage

   To ask about a person

   Grammar Note

   "Piv eo ?" means "who is it?"; the question word comes first

5. Perak ?

   Why?

   Usage

   To ask for a reason

   Grammar Note

   The question word "perak" opens the sentence

6. Penaos ?

   How?

   Usage

   To ask about the way something is done or how it is

   Grammar Note

   It also opens questions about condition, such as "Penaos eo an amzer ?" (how is the weather?)

7. Pet den ?

   How many people?

   Usage

   To ask for a number of people

   Grammar Note

   The noun after "pet" stays singular, as after any number

8. Pegement e koust ?

   How much does it cost?

   Usage

   To ask a price while pointing at something

   Grammar Note

   An object can be added, as in "Pegement e koust ur gambr ?" (how much is a room?)

9. Pehini ?

   Which one?

   Usage

   To ask someone to pick one among several

   Grammar Note

   "Pehini" is the pronoun "which one"; before a noun "peseurt" (what kind of) is used

10. Petra eo se ?

    What is that?

    Usage

    To ask about something unfamiliar

    Grammar Note

    Questions of identity take the form "Petra eo ... ?"

11. Pelec'h emañ ar privezioù ?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    To ask where the toilet is

    Grammar Note

    For location use "emañ"; the verb stays singular even with a plural subject

12. Pet eur eo ?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    To ask the time

    Grammar Note

    The answer follows the same pattern: number + eur + eo, as in "Seizh eur eo" (it is seven o'clock)

13. Gallout a reer ober se ?

    Is it possible?

    Usage

    To ask whether something is allowed or can be done

    Grammar Note

    The impersonal form "reer" asks in general whether "one can" (a composed sentence)

14. Ret eo paeañ ?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

    To ask whether entry or use costs money

    Grammar Note

    "Ret eo" + infinitive means "it is necessary to ..."; here "is it necessary to pay?" (a composed sentence)

15. Digoust eo ?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    To ask whether something is free of charge

    Grammar Note

    The adjective "digoust" comes first; the sentence can also be a question by intonation alone

16. Mat eo ganeoc'h ?

    Is this OK with you?

    Usage

    To check whether a proposal or decision suits the other person

    Grammar Note

    The preposition "gant" fuses with the pronoun: gant + hoc'h becomes "ganeoc'h" (a composed sentence)

17. Difennet eo ?

    Is it forbidden?

    Usage

    To ask whether something such as photos or smoking is banned

    Grammar Note

    The participle "difennet" comes first; signs also say "Difennet eo ..."

18. Ha mat emaoc'h ?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    A polite way to check on someone who seems unwell

    Grammar Note

    "Ha" opens yes/no questions; to a friend one would say "Ha mat emaout ?" (a composed sentence)

19. Gwir eo ?

    Really?

    Usage

    To react with surprise or to double-check

    Grammar Note

    Literally "is it true?", with the adjective first

20. Sur oc'h ?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    To confirm what the other person said

    Grammar Note

    To a friend say "Sur out ?"; the form is the same for men and women (a composed sentence)

21. Eus pelec'h oc'h ?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    To ask where someone comes from

    Grammar Note

    Literally "from where are you?"; the preposition "eus" comes before the question word (a composed sentence)

22. Petra eo hoc'h anv ?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    To ask someone's name politely

    Grammar Note

    To a friend say "Petra eo da anv ?"; "hoc'h" is the polite/plural "your"

23. Pet vloaz oc'h ?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    To ask someone's age; use with care on a first meeting

    Grammar Note

    After "pet" the b of "bloaz" softens to v; the answer has the form "Daouzek vloaz on" (I am twelve)

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