Question Words

1. Napi?

   What?

   Usage

   A polite 'what'.

   Grammar Note

   The casual form is Ape; alus mider is Punapi.

2. Dija?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks for a place; the dictionary marks it as the same at every speech level.

   Grammar Note

   To ask 'where to', use Kija.

3. Pidan?

   When? (past)

   Usage

   Asks 'when'; the dictionary lists it for events in the past.

   Grammar Note

   For future events a different word is used, so do not use Pidan to ask about plans.

4. Sira?

   Who?

   Usage

   A polite 'who'.

   Grammar Note

   The casual form is Nyen.

5. Ngudiang?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason; the dictionary explains nguda as a variant of ngudiang meaning 'why'.

   Grammar Note

   The ngudiang entry itself has no gloss; the sense comes from the nguda entry. Its speech level is not stated, so avoid it with elders.

6. Sapunapi?

   How?

   Usage

   A polite 'how'.

   Grammar Note

   The casual form is Kenken.

7. Kuda?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a number or amount; the dictionary marks it as the same at every speech level.

   Grammar Note

   kuda is also an alus singgih word for 'horse'; context makes the meaning clear.

8. Aji kuda niki?

   How much is this?

   Usage

   Asks a price; in tourist shops the answer will often come in Indonesian.

   Grammar Note

   Aji kuda means 'how much' in the dictionary. The full sentence is built from verified words.

9. Encen?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Asks which one among several.

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary glosses it as 'which, which one'.

10. Napi puniki?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Points at something and asks what it is.

    Grammar Note

    Verbless order. The casual form is Ape ene?.

11. Kakus ring dija?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    Asks where the toilet is; the answer may come in Indonesian.

    Grammar Note

    ring dija means 'where (at)'. The sentence is built from dictionary words.

12. Jam kuda mangkin?

    What time is it now?

    Usage

    Asks the time. Built on the Indonesian pattern 'jam + how many'; the sentence itself was not found in the dictionary or the Balinese Wikipedia.

    Grammar Note

    mangkin is alus mider 'now' (casual: jani). The words are verified but the sentence is constructed.

13. Wenten?

    Do you have it? / Is there any?

    Usage

    Used in shops to ask if an item is available; say it with rising intonation.

    Grammar Note

    Answers are Wenten (yes) or Nenten wenten (no).

14. Dados niki?

    Is this OK? / May I?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is allowed.

    Grammar Note

    dados is listed as the polite counterpart of dadi (andap), which means 'may'. The sentence is constructed.

15. Nenten dados?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    Used to check whether something is forbidden.

    Grammar Note

    nenten placed before dados negates it.

16. Yakti?

    Really?

    Usage

    Used to express surprise or ask for confirmation; the dictionary glosses yakti as 'true, seriously'.

    Grammar Note

    Casual forms are saja and seken.

17. Ragane saking dija?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    A polite way to ask someone you have just met.

    Grammar Note

    Verbless order. saking dija also occurs in the Balinese Wikipedia.

18. Sira pesengan ragane?

    What is your name?

    Usage

    A polite way to ask someone's name.

    Grammar Note

    Use the honorific pesengan for the other person's name and wastan (alus sor) for your own. The sentence is constructed.

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