Question Words

1. וואָס?

   vos?

   What?

   Usage

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

   Grammar Note

   "וואָס" is written with a komets-alef and pronounced "vos"

2. וווּ?

   vu?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks for a location. Point at a map or photo while you say it

   Grammar Note

   The double vav "וו" is v; the final "וּ" (vav with dagesh) is u

3. ווען?

   ven?

   When?

   Usage

   Asks for a time or date; useful for departure times

4. ווער?

   ver?

   Who?

   Usage

   To ask who someone is or who is in charge

5. פֿאַרוואָס?

   farvos?

   Why?

   Usage

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

   Grammar Note

   Built from "פֿאַר" (for) + "וואָס" (what)

6. ווי אַזוי?

   vi azoy?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks how to do something, for instance how a ticket machine works

   Grammar Note

   "ווי" alone also means "how"; "ווי אַזוי" is the usual way to ask about the manner

7. וויפֿל?

   vifl?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a count of items or people

   Grammar Note

   Used for both count and amount; it does not change for gender

8. וויפֿל קאָסט עס?

   Vifl kost es?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The standard price question; point at the item

   Grammar Note

   Order: question word + verb + subject

9. וועלכער?

   velkher?

   Which one?

   Usage

   For choosing between options; use it while pointing

   Grammar Note

   Masculine form. For a feminine noun use "וועלכע"

10. וואָס איז דאָס?

    Vos iz dos?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Point at a dish or product to ask what it is

    Grammar Note

    The question word comes first and the verb second (V2)

11. וווּ איז דער טואַלעט?

    Vu iz der tualet?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    One of the most-used questions of any trip. Works in shops, stations and hotels; add "זײַט מוחל," in front to be polite

    Grammar Note

    "טואַלעט" is masculine, hence the article "דער"

12. וויפֿל איז דער זייגער?

    Vifl iz der zeyger?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Asks the current time; useful when your phone is dead

    Grammar Note

    Literally "how much is the clock"; "זייגער" means both the clock and "o'clock"

13. האָט איר עס?

    Hot ir es?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

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

    Grammar Note

    The verb opens the yes/no question. Polite "איר" takes the plural form "האָט". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

14. איז דאָס מעגלעך?

    Iz dos meglekh?

    Is that possible?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is possible: card payment, changing money and so on

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

15. מוז מען דערפֿאַר באַצאָלן?

    Muz men derfar batsoln?

    Is there a charge for it?

    Usage

    Checks for an extra fee, such as luggage storage or Wi-Fi

    Grammar Note

    "מען" is the impersonal "one". Literally "must one pay for it?". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

16. איז עס אומזיסט?

    Iz es umzist?

    Is it free?

    Usage

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

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

17. מעג איך?

    Meg ikh?

    May I?

    Usage

    Used to ask for permission; pair it with pointing

    Grammar Note

    The verb precedes the subject in the question. "מעגן" means "to be allowed to". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

18. טאָר מען נישט?

    Tor men nisht?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    Used to double-check after being refused

    Grammar Note

    "טאָרן" means "to be allowed"; do not confuse it with "דאַרפֿן" (must, need). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

19. זענט איר אין אָרדענונג?

    Zent ir in ordenung?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    Used to check on someone's wellbeing; it is not the permission question "מעג איך?"

    Grammar Note

    Literally "are you in order?". To a close person: "ביסטו אין אָרדענונג?"

20. טאַקע?

    take?

    Really?

    Usage

    A reaction used to confirm something surprising

    Grammar Note

    A small particle of emphasis or surprise, often used inside sentences as "really"

21. זענט איר זיכער?

    Zent ir zikher?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Reconfirms a fact; more formal than "take?"

    Grammar Note

    To a close person: "ביסטו זיכער?". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

22. פֿון וואַנען זענט איר?

    Fun vanen zent ir?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    A good conversation opener

    Grammar Note

    After a preposition, "וואַנען" replaces "וווּ". To a close person: "פֿון וואַנען ביסטו?"

23. ווי הייסט איר?

    Vi heyst ir?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    A good conversation opener

    Grammar Note

    Literally "how are you called?". To a close person: "ווי הייסטו?"

24. ווי אַלט זענט איר?

    Vi alt zent ir?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asking someone's age, especially a woman's, can be impolite. Best kept for people you know or as a mark of respect toward elders

    Grammar Note

    Literally "how old are you". To a close person: "ווי אַלט ביסטו?"

25. קענען מיר זיך פֿאָטאָגראַפֿירן צוזאַמען?

    Kenen mir zikh fotografirn tsuzamen?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    Used to ask for permission before taking a photo

    Grammar Note

    The reflexive pronoun "זיך" has the same form for every person. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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