Questions
A question is a sentence that solicits some information from the listener. There are three main ways to form questions in toki pona.
Forms of questions in toki pona
verb ala verb
To form a yes-or-no question, repeat the main word of the predicate, and add the word ala between the repetitions.
- sina moku ala moku?
- Do you eat?
- ona li pona ala pona tawa sina?
- Are they good to you?
anu
The anu can be used to ask question about alternatives. See the article on anu for more details.
- ona li lukin e waso anu soweli?
- ona li lukin e waso.
anu seme
As a special case, the pair of words anu seme can be added to the end of a sentence to turn it into a yes-or-no question. Sonja Lang introduced this style of question in a forum post on 2003-02-12[1]:
- sina kama anu seme?
- (literally: you're coming or what?)
- I think you're coming, but please correct me and tell me what is really happening.
- aren't you coming?
She compares its meaning to "the way 'oder' can be used in colloquial German."[1] A question formed with anu seme typically is less forceful and more open to alternative answers than a question formed by repeating the main verb.
seme
The seme can be used to form general questions. It replaces the word in the sentence the speaker wants information about.
- sina moku e seme?
- What are you eating?
- sina seme e kili?
- What do you do with the fruit?
- seme li moku e kili?
- Who/What is eating the fruit?
The word seme can also modify other words.
- jan seme li moku e kili?
- Who (what person) eats the fruit?
- jan li moku seme e kili?
- How is the person eating the fruit?
- jan li moku e kili seme?
- What kind of fruit is the person eating?
Answering questions in toki pona
yes-or-no
A positive answer to a yes-or-no question can be given by repeating the word asked about:
- akesi li suwi ala suwi?
- suwi.
- Are lizards cute?
- Yes.
To say no, repeat the word asked about followed by ala, or use the word ala on its own.
- sina wile ala wile moku e pipi?
- wile ala.
- ala.
- Do you want to eat bugs?
- No.
General questions
A question asked with seme can be answered with a sentence providing the information that was asked for.
- ona li pali e seme?
- What are they doing?
- ona li kepeken ilo.
- They are using a tool.