Learning a language involves understanding how to construct sentences to effectively communicate, and an essential part of this is knowing how to ask questions. In the Azerbaijani language, questions can be formed in various ways. Here we explore the different forms of questions you might encounter or wish to use when engaging in Azerbaijani.
Yes/No Questions
One of the most basic question types is the yes/no question, for which answers are typically “bÉ™li” (yes) or “xeyr” (no). In Azerbaijani, these questions are commonly formed by simply raising the intonation at the end of a declarative sentence or by adding the question particle “mi” to the end of the sentence.
Siz bu kitabı oxumusunuz?
(Have you read this book?)
Question Words
To ask more specific questions, Azerbaijani uses a set of question words similar to who, what, when, where, why, and how in English. These words are placed at the beginning of a question sentence.
Nə vaxt gedəcəksən?
(When are you going?)
Here are some of the key Azerbaijani question words:
Kim – Who
Used to ask about people.
Kim gəlir?
(Who is coming?)
NÉ™ – What
This word is utilized when inquiring about objects, ideas, or actions.
Nə istəyirsən?
(What do you want?)
Harada – Where
Used when the question pertains to a place or location.
Anan haradadır?
(Where is your mother?)
NiyÉ™ – Why
To find out the reason for an occurrence or an action.
Niyə gülümsəyirsən?
(Why are you smiling?)
NecÉ™ – How
This interrogative is about the manner or condition of something.
Necə edirəm?
(How do I do it?)
Neçə – How many/How much
Asking about quantity or price.
Neçə manatdır?
(How much does it cost?)
Tag Questions
A tag question is a statement turned into a question by adding a short question tag at the end. In Azerbaijani, tags such as “düzgün?”, “ha?” or “deyil?” can be used.
Sən də orada idin, deyil?
(You were there too, weren’t you?)
Choice Questions
When offering a choice, Azerbaijani often employs the structure similar to “or” questions in English, using “yoxsa” to signify “or”.
Çay istəyirsən, yoxsa qəhvə?
(Do you want tea or coffee?)
Information Questions
To obtain specific information, one might need to form questions beginning with one of the question words followed by the necessary information structure.
Sənin adın nədir?
(What is your name?)
By mastering these various forms of questions, you will enhance your conversational skills in Azerbaijani, allowing you to gather information, clarify situations, and engage more deeply with speakers of the language. Remember that practice is key in language learning, so take every opportunity to form questions and interact with native speakers. With dedication and consistent practice, the art of Azerbaijani question formation will become a familiar and comfortable aspect of your language repertoire.