Question Words

1. Ko e hā?

   What?

   Usage

   Works on its own; point at the thing as you say it

2. ʻI fē?

   Where?

   Usage

   Ask for a place; add a place or object name in front to make a sentence

3. ʻAfē?

   When?

   Usage

   For departure times and opening hours

4. Ko hai?

   Who?

   Usage

   To ask who is in charge or whose something is

5. Ko e hā hono ʻuhinga?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason; in some languages it sounds blunt, so smile

6. Fēfē?

   How?

   Usage

   For how to get somewhere or how to use something

7. ʻE fiha?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks a count; hold up fingers to confirm the number

8. ʻOku fiha?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The core shopping question; ask them to show the figure on a calculator

9. Ko e fē?

   Which one?

   Usage

   When you need someone to pick from several options

10. Ko e hā ʻeni?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Point at an unfamiliar item in a market or eatery

11. ʻOku ʻi fē ʻa e falemālōlō?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    One of the most-used travel questions — memorise it whole

12. Ko e taimi fiha?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Ask the time; having them show a clock face avoids number confusion

13. ʻOku ʻi ai haʻo?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    Asks about stock or vacancy; put it after the name of the thing

14. ʻE lava ʻe koe?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

    Checks whether a request is possible; also opens a price negotiation

15. ʻOku ʻi ai ha totongi?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

    For luggage storage, Wi-Fi, or entry — check before you use it

16. ʻOku taʻetotongi?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    Confirm that a sample, a bottle of water, or a service costs nothing

17. ʻOku lelei?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    For asking permission; use it with a pointing gesture

18. ʻOku ʻikai lava?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    For double-checking after being turned down

19. ʻOku ke lelei?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    Checking on someone's wellbeing — a different role from asking permission

20. ʻOku moʻoni?

    Really?

    Usage

    A quick check when something surprises you

21. ʻOku pau ia?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Pressing for confirmation of a fact — more formal than the surprise check

22. ʻOku ke haʻu mei fē?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    A natural conversation opener

23. Ko hai ho hingoa?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    A natural conversation opener

24. ʻOku fiha ho taʻu?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asking a stranger's age directly, especially a woman's, can feel intrusive — best kept to close friends or children

    Grammar Note

    Literally "how many are your years"

25. ʻE lava ke ta fai ha fakatātā fakataha?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    For asking permission

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