Question Words

1. Acu?

   What?

   Usage

   A one-word request for clarification when you did not catch something

   Grammar Note

   "D acu?" is also used. As a full sentence: "Acu i d-tenniḍ?" (what did you say?).

2. Anda?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks for a location; point at a map or photo while you say it

   Grammar Note

   The variant "Anida" also exists. A pronoun clitic can be attached: "Anda-t?" (where is it?).

3. Melmi?

   When?

   Usage

   Asks for a time or date; useful for departure times

   Grammar Note

   It is a single question word and can open a longer sentence.

4. Anwa?

   Who?

   Usage

   To ask who someone is or who is in charge

   Grammar Note

   For a woman use "Anta?". It also means "which one".

5. Acimi?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason; it can sound blunt, so soften it with a smile

   Grammar Note

   "Ayɣer?" means the same.

6. Amek?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks how to do something, ticket machines for instance

   Grammar Note

   It opens sentences such as "Amek telliḍ?" (how are you?).

7. Acḥal?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a count of items or people

   Grammar Note

   It serves for both counts and prices. As a sentence: "Acḥal i tesɛiḍ?" (how many do you have?).

8. Acḥal i yeswa?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The standard price question; in markets ask them to show the number on a calculator

   Grammar Note

   For a feminine item use "Acḥal i teswa?". The short "Acḥal-it?" also exists. "Yeswa" never means "drunk" (that is "yeskeṛ").

9. Anwa deg-sen?

   Which one?

   Usage

   For choosing between options; use it while pointing

   Grammar Note

   For feminine nouns use "Anta deg-sent?". Composed from the attested "Anwa deg-sen i n tidet?" (which of them is real?).

10. D acu-t wagi?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Point at a dish or product to ask what it is

    Grammar Note

    For a feminine item: "D acu-tt tagi?".

11. Anda i d-yezga ubduz?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    One of the most-used questions of any trip; works in shops, stations and hotels

    Grammar Note

    A noun after the verb takes the construct state, so "abduz" becomes "ubduz". Prefix "Ma ulac aɣilif" to be more polite.

12. Acḥal ssaɛa tura?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Asks the current time; useful when your phone is dead

    Grammar Note

    Literally "how many hours now". The answer names the hour, e.g. "Attan d sebɛa" (it is seven).

13. Tesɛiḍ-t?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    A short way to ask about stock or availability while pointing at something

    Grammar Note

    For a feminine item: "Tesɛiḍ-tt?". The 2sg ending is the same for both genders.

14. Tzemreḍ ad t-tgeḍ?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is possible, such as card payment or changing money

    Grammar Note

    "Ad t-txedmeḍ" is an alternative. For several people: "Tzemrem".

15. Aya baṭel?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    Confirms something is free of charge, such as water or refills

    Grammar Note

    "Baṭel" means "for free". The examples come mostly from one contributor, so it needs native review.

16. Zemreɣ?

    May I?

    Usage

    Used to ask for permission; pair it with pointing

    Grammar Note

    Usually followed by "ad + verb", as in "Zemreɣ ad t-ɛerḍeɣ?" (can I try it?). It can also stand alone.

17. Yegdel?

    Is it forbidden?

    Usage

    Used to double-check after being refused

    Grammar Note

    "Yegdel." is the statement "it is forbidden"; raise the intonation to make it a question.

18. Ur k-yuɣ walu?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    Used to check on someone's wellbeing

    Grammar Note

    To a woman: "Ur kem-yuɣ walu?". "Wara" is also heard instead of "walu".

19. S tidet?

    Really?

    Usage

    Used to confirm something surprising

    Grammar Note

    "D tidet?" is also said. The word is spelled "tidet" or "tideṭ"; "tidet" is more common.

20. Tetḥeqqeḍ?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Reconfirms a fact

    Grammar Note

    Can be strengthened as "Tetḥeqqeḍ mliḥ?" (are you really sure?). The ending is the same for both genders.

21. Ansi-k?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    A good conversation opener

    Grammar Note

    To a woman: "Ansi-kem?"; to several men: "Ansi-ken?". "Seg wansi-k?" is also used.

22. Amek i k-qqaren?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    A good conversation opener

    Grammar Note

    Literally "how do they call you?". To a woman: "Amek i kem-qqaren?". The short "Isem-ik?" (your name?) also works.

23. Acḥal deg leɛmeṛ-ik?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asking age can be impolite with strangers or women, so use it with care

    Grammar Note

    Literally "how much is in your age". To a woman: "Acḥal deg leɛmeṛ-im?".

24. Zemreɣ ad d-ṭṭfeɣ yid-k tawlaft?

    Can I take a photo with you?

    Usage

    Used to ask for permission

    Grammar Note

    To a woman use "yid-m". Another way to ask is "Maɛlic ad ṭṭfeɣ tiwlafin?" (is it all right to take photos?).

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