Question Words

1. Что?

   Chto?

   What?

   Usage

   The shortest question word; pair it with pointing

2. Где?

   Gde?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks for a place; add a place name and you are understood

3. Когда?

   Kog-da?

   When?

   Usage

   For departure times or opening times

4. Кто?

   Kto?

   Who?

   Usage

   Asks about a person, e.g. who is in charge

5. Почему?

   Po-che-mu?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason, e.g. a delay or a refusal

6. Как?

   Kak?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks for a method, including how to get somewhere

7. Сколько?

   Skol'-ko?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a count of items or people

8. Сколько это стоит?

   Skol'-ko e-to sto-it?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The key price question, in markets and shops alike

9. Какой?

   Ka-koy?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Used to pick from, or point at, a set of options

10. Что это?

    Chto e-to?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Point at a dish or product and ask what it is

11. Где туалет?

    Gde tu-a-let?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    One of the most-used questions on any trip

12. Который час?

    Ko-to-ryy chas?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Asks the current time, handy when making a connection

13. У вас есть?

    U vas yest'?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    Asks about stock or availability; name the item first

14. Вы можете?

    Vy mo-zhe-te?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is possible or allowed

15. Это платно?

    E-to plat-no?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

    Check whether luggage storage, Wi-Fi, etc. costs money

16. Это бесплатно?

    E-to bes-plat-no?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    Confirms something is free, e.g. samples or a map

17. Так можно?

    Tak mozh-no?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    Asks for permission; pair it with pointing

18. Нельзя?

    Nel'-zya?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    Used to double-check after being turned down

19. Вы в порядке?

    Vy v po-ryad-ke?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

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

    Grammar Note

    Uses the polite "вы"; with friends say "Ты в порядке?"

20. Правда?

    Prav-da?

    Really?

    Usage

    A short reaction confirming something surprising

21. Вы уверены?

    Vy u-ve-re-ny?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

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

22. Откуда вы?

    Ot-ku-da vy?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    A classic conversation starter

23. Как вас зовут?

    Kak vas zo-vut?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    A classic conversation starter

    Grammar Note

    Uses the polite "вас"; with friends say "Как тебя зовут?"

24. Сколько вам лет?

    Skol'-ko vam let?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asking someone's age at a first meeting can come across as intrusive; better saved until you know them a little

25. Можно сфотографироваться вместе?

    Mozh-no sfo-to-gra-fi-ro-vat'-sya vme-ste?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    Asks for permission to take a photo together

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