Language/Marathi/Grammar/Question-Words

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Marathi → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Question Words

Welcome to this exciting lesson on Question Words in Marathi! Understanding how to ask questions is a fundamental part of any language, and Marathi is no exception. Whether you’re curious about the world around you or trying to gather information, knowing the right question words will empower you to engage in meaningful conversations.

In this lesson, we will explore the essential question words in Marathi, including:

• Who (कोण)

• What (काय)

• Where (कुठे)

• When (कधी)

• Why (का)

• How (कसे)

Each question word serves a unique purpose and can be used in various contexts. By the end of this lesson, you’ll not only understand these words but also feel confident using them to form questions.

We will structure our lesson as follows:

1. Introduction to Question Words

2. Detailed Explanation of Each Question Word

3. Examples of Each Question Word

4. Practice Exercises

5. Solutions and Explanations for Exercises

So, let’s dive in!

Introduction to Question Words

Asking questions is a vital part of communication. It helps us gather information, express curiosity, and engage with others. In Marathi, just like in English, question words help us formulate questions and understand the flow of conversation. Learning these words not only enhances your vocabulary but also helps you to think in Marathi, which is crucial for language acquisition.

Detailed Explanation of Each Question Word

Let's break down each question word, its pronunciation, and usage in sentences.

Who (कोण)

The word कोण (pronounced as "koṇ") means "who". It is used when asking about a person or people.

Examples:

Marathi	Pronunciation	English
तुम्ही कोण आहात?	tumhī koṇ āhāt?	Who are you?
त्या व्यक्तीचे नाव कोण आहे?	tyā vyaktīce nāv koṇ āhe?	What is the name of that person?
तुम्हाला कोण आवडतो?	tumhālā koṇ āvaḍato?	Who do you like?
त्या चित्रकाराने कोण चित्रित केले?	tyā citrakārāne koṇ citrit kelele?	Who painted that?

What (काय)

The word काय (pronounced as "kāy") means "what". It is used to ask about things, actions, or information.

Examples:

Marathi	Pronunciation	English
तुम्ही काय करत आहात?	tumhī kāy karat āhāt?	What are you doing?
हे काय आहे?	he kāy āhe?	What is this?
तुम्हाला काय आवडते?	tumhālā kāy āvaḍate?	What do you like?
तो काय बोलला?	to kāy bolla?	What did he say?

Where (कुठे)

The word कुठे (pronounced as "kuṭhe") means "where". It is used to ask about locations or places.

Examples:

Marathi	Pronunciation	English
तुम्ही कुठे राहता?	tumhī kuṭhe rāhtā?	Where do you live?
हा कार्यक्रम कुठे आहे?	hā kāryakram kuṭhe āhe?	Where is this event?
पुस्तक कुठे आहे?	pustak kuṭhe āhe?	Where is the book?
तो कुठे गेला?	to kuṭhe gelā?	Where did he go?

When (कधी)

The word कधी (pronounced as "kadhī") means "when". It is used to inquire about time.

Examples:

Marathi	Pronunciation	English
तुम्ही कधी येणार?	tumhī kadhī yenār?	When will you come?
तो कधी आला?	to kadhī ālā?	When did he arrive?
कार्यक्रम कधी सुरु होईल?	kāryakram kadhī suru hoīl?	When will the program start?
तुम्हाला कधी सुट्टी आहे?	tumhālā kadhī suṭṭī āhe?	When do you have a holiday?

Why (का)

The word का (pronounced as "kā") means "why". It is used to ask for reasons or explanations.

Examples:

Marathi	Pronunciation	English
तुम्ही का हसता?	tumhī kā hasatā?	Why are you laughing?
तो का आला नाही?	to kā ālā nāhī?	Why didn't he come?
तुम्हाला का आवडत नाही?	tumhālā kā āvaḍat nāhī?	Why don't you like it?
तुम्ही का शाळेत जात नाही?	tumhī kā śāḷet jāt nāhī?	Why don't you go to school?

How (कसे)

The word कसे (pronounced as "kasē") means "how". It is used to ask about the manner or method of doing something.

Examples:

Marathi	Pronunciation	English
तुम्ही कसे आहात?	tumhī kasē āhāt?	How are you?
हे कसे करावे?	he kasē karāve?	How to do this?
तुम्ही कसे चालता?	tumhī kasē cāltā?	How do you walk?
तो कसा आहे?	to kasā āhe?	How is he?

Practice Exercises

Now that we have covered the question words in detail, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test! Here are some exercises to help reinforce your understanding.

1. Translate the following questions into Marathi:

1. Who is your friend?

2. What are you eating?

3. Where do you work?

4. When will you visit us?

5. Why are you sad?

6. How do you cook this dish?

2. Formulate questions using the following Marathi words:

1. कोण (who)

2. काय (what)

3. कुठे (where)

4. कधी (when)

5. का (why)

6. कसे (how)

3. Match the English questions with their Marathi translations:

• 1. Where are you going?

• 2. Why did you do that?

• 3. What is your name?

• 4. Who is that person?

a. तुम्ही कुठे जात आहात?

b. तुमचे नाव काय आहे?

c. तुम्ही का हे केले?

d. तो कोण आहे?

4. Fill in the blanks with appropriate question words:

1. ___ येतोस? (Who)

2. ___ हे आहे? (What)

3. ___ चालले आहेस? (How)

4. ___ जात आहेस? (Where)

5. ___ आलास? (When)

6. ___ हसतोस? (Why)

5. Create your own questions using the question words provided.

6. Identify the question words in the following sentences:

1. तुम्ही का हसता?

2. तुम्ही कुठे राहता?

3. कधी येणार?

4. तो कोण आहे?

5. तुम्हाला काय आवडते?

7. Rewrite the following statements as questions:

1. He is coming tomorrow.

2. You like sweets.

3. She is a teacher.

4. They are playing cricket.

5. It is raining.

8. Choose the correct question word to complete the sentences:

1. ___ तुम्ही केल्यावर? (When/Why)

2. ___ हा खूप सुंदर आहे! (What/How)

3. ___ तुम्ही आलात? (Where/Who)

4. ___ तो चांगला आहे. (Why/How)

5. ___ हसत आहेस? (Why/What)

9. Create a short dialogue using at least three question words.

10. Reflect on a recent conversation you had and write down the questions you asked using Marathi question words.

Solutions and Explanations for Exercises

1. Answers to the translations:

1. तुमचा मित्र कोण आहे?

2. तुम्ही काय खात आहात?

3. तुम्ही कुठे काम करता?

4. तुम्ही कधी आमच्याकडे येणार?

5. तुम्ही का दु:खी आहात?

6. तुम्ही हे पदार्थ कसे बनवता?

2. Example questions:

1. कोण तुमचा मित्र आहे?

2. तुम्ही काय खात आहात?

3. तुम्ही कुठे काम करता?

4. तुम्ही कधी आमच्याकडे येणार?

5. तुम्ही का दु:खी आहात?

6. तुम्ही हे कसे बनवता?

3. Matching answers:

• 1 -> a

• 2 -> c

• 3 -> b

• 4 -> d

4. Filled blanks:

1. कोण येतोस?

2. काय हे आहे?

3. कसे चालले आहेस?

4. कुठे जात आहेस?

5. कधी आलास?

6. का हसतोस?

5. Your own questions will vary.

6. Identified question words:

1. का

2. कुठे

3. कधी

4. कोण

5. काय

7. Rewritten questions:

1. तो उद्या येतो का?

2. तुम्हाला गोड खायला आवडत का?

3. ती एक शिक्षक आहे का?

4. ते क्रिकेट खेळत आहेत का?

5. पाऊस पडत आहे का?

8. Correct choice answers:

1. When

2. What

3. Where

4. Why

5. Why

9. Your dialogue will vary.

10. Your reflections will vary.

Congratulations on completing this lesson on question words in Marathi! As you continue your journey in learning Marathi, remember that questions are the key to unlocking conversations and understanding the rich culture associated with the language. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be able to ask questions effortlessly!

Table of Contents - Marathi Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Basic Greetings and Introductions

• Greetings
• Introductions

  ---

Basic Sentence Structure

• Subject-Object-Verb
• Negation

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-20
• Telling Time

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Nouns
• Pronouns

  ---

Common Verbs and Adjectives

• Common Verbs
• Common Adjectives

  ---

Questions and Answers

• Question Words
• Answering Questions

  ---

Food and Dining

• Food Vocabulary
• Dining Phrases

  ---

Marathi Festivals and Traditions

• Festivals
• Traditions

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Transportation Vocabulary
• Accommodation Vocabulary

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Prepositions
• Conjunctions

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationship Phrases

  ---

Marathi Literature and Cinema

• Literature
• Cinema

Sources

• Basic questions and "WH" questions in Marathi
• Marathi Grammar - The curious use of the question word कसले
• MARATHI GRAMMAR- SARVANAAM | Grammar worksheets ...

Other Lessons

• Verbs
• Negation
• Conjunctions
• Devanagari script
• Causative verbs
• Adverbs
• 0 to A1 Course
• Nouns
• Conditional Mood
• Adjectives

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