Bengali Question Words in Transliteration: What, Where, When and Who
The Bengali question-word entries cover what, where, when and who. The key distinction is between a standalone vocabulary item and a complete question: some entries name one question word, while others express a full meaning such as where are you, who is that, or excuse me, what is this.
Start with these expressions
| English | Transliteration | Native script |
|---|---|---|
| What | ki | কী |
| Where | kothay | কোথায় |
| When | kokhon | কখন |
| Who | ke | কে |
| Where are you | tumi kothay | তুমি কোথায় |
| Who is that | o ke | ও কে |
| Excuse me, what is this | maaf koro eta ki | মাফ করো এটা কী |
Separate the question word from the whole question
Use the standalone entries when you are learning the basic meaning of one Bengali question word: what, where, when and who. The dictionary evidence confirms that the entry for what can mean “what” or “which” [1], the entry for when means “when” [2], and the entry for who means “who” or, in some contexts, “which” [3]. These English glosses describe vocabulary items, not complete sentences.
The complete-question entries work differently. “Where are you,” “who is that,” and “excuse me, what is this” each combine a question word with other words, so learn them as usable whole questions rather than treating every entry as a single-word translation. This matters when you make revision cards: label the first group as question-word vocabulary and the second group as complete questions. The material is a focused set, not a complete list of Bengali question words, and it does not establish a general word-order or register rule.
[1] Source: dsal.uchicago.edu.
[2] Source: dsal.uchicago.edu.
[3] Source: dsal.uchicago.edu.
Try it
You are pointing to someone in a photo and want to ask, “Who is that?” Which supplied entry should you choose?
Choose your answer before reading on.
Check your answer:
Use expression 6 in the table above.
Choose the entry whose English meaning is the complete question “Who is that?” It fits because your situation asks about a person and requires the full sentence, rather than the standalone vocabulary item meaning who.
Make two small revision groups: standalone question words and complete questions. Cover the English meaning, recall the Latin-script form shown in the table, then test yourself by choosing the complete question that matches a real situation.
Practise speaking with Bhol. Learn words and sentences written in English letters.
