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Simple Questions

Learn to ask and answer basic questions in High Valyrian

Lesson 5 of 6

Question Words

High Valyrian has several question words that are used to ask for specific information. Let's learn the most common ones.

Skorion
[SKO-ri-on]
What
Skoriot
[SKO-ri-ot]
Where
Skoros
[SKO-ros]
What (object)
Skorī
[sko-REE]
When
Skorkydoso
[skor-ki-DO-so]
How
Skoro syt
[SKO-ro sit]
Why
Skorys
[SKO-ris]
Who
Skorȳso
[sko-REE-so]
Whose

Grammar Note

Notice that most question words in High Valyrian begin with "sk-". This makes them easy to recognize. Like nouns, question words can change form depending on their role in the sentence.

Forming Questions

There are two main ways to form questions in High Valyrian:

1. Using Question Words

Place the question word at the beginning of the sentence:

Skoriot brōzā?
[SKO-ri-ot BROH-zah]
Where are you from?
Skorys iksis?
[SKO-ris IK-sis]
Who is it?
Skoros jaelan?
[SKO-ros JAE-lan]
What do you want?

2. Yes/No Questions

For yes/no questions, add the particle "Ska" at the beginning or simply use rising intonation:

Ska Valyrīha ȳdrā?
[ska val-i-REE-ha EE-drah]
Do you speak High Valyrian?
Tubī jorrāelā?
[tu-BEE jor-RAE-lah]
Do you like water?

Answering Questions

Let's learn how to answer different types of questions in High Valyrian.

Yes/No Answers

Kessa
[KES-sa]
Yes
Daor
[DAH-or]
No
Kessa, kirimvose
[KES-sa, ki-rim-VO-se]
Yes, thank you
Daor, kostilus
[DAH-or, KOS-ti-lus]
No, please

Information Answers

For information questions, provide the requested information:

Skoriot brōzā?

Where are you from?

Braavosot brōzan.

I am from Braavos.

Skorys iksis?

Who is it?

Daenerys iksis.

It is Daenerys.

Skoros jaelan?

What do you want?

Tubī jaelan.

I want water.

Common Questions

Here are some common questions you might use in everyday conversation:

Skorkydoso ūdrāzma?
[skor-ki-DO-so oo-DRAZ-ma]
How are you?
Skoriot jikagon jaelan?
[SKO-ri-ot JI-ka-gon JAE-lan]
Where do you want to go?
Skoros ynot gōntan?
[SKO-ros EE-not GOHN-tan]
What did you say to me?
Skoriot tubis issa?
[SKO-ri-ot TU-bis IS-sa]
Where is the water?
Skoro syt kesīr issi?
[SKO-ro sit ke-SEER IS-si]
Why are you here?

Cultural Note

In High Valyrian culture, direct questions can sometimes be considered impolite, especially when speaking to someone of higher status. It's common to soften questions with phrases like "if I may ask" (lōtinti ȳdrassis) or "by your leave" (aōha dārilaros).