A question (also called su'aal) is a linguistic construction and speech act through which a speaker seeks to obtain information, verification, or a decision from an addressee. Questions differ from statements and commands in their function: they do not convey information but rather request a response.

All languages have means of marking questions. Common methods include dedicated question words, changes in intonation, reordering of sentence elements, and small particles inserted into the sentence. In written form, many languages use the question mark (?).

Types of questions

Questions are typically divided into two main types. The first is the polar question, whose answer can be affirmation or denial. The second is the content question, which uses a question word to indicate what information is sought—such as who, where, when, or why. There also exist alternative questions, in which the addressee is presented with two or more choices.

Questions in Somali

Somali has question words such as maxay (what), yaa (who), halkee (where), goorma (when), sidee (how), and immisa (how much). Polar questions often use the particle ma before the part being questioned, for example ma tegtay? (did you go?). Intonation—whether the voice rises or falls—also plays a role in distinguishing questions from statements when speaking.

NoteThe words weydiin, su'aal, and suaal are often used interchangeably. Some scholars reserve weydiin for the act of questioning itself, while using su'aal for the question as a sentence.

Questions not seeking answers

Not all questions demand a response. Rhetorical questions are used to emphasize an idea, with the answer already understood. Some questions also have social functions, such as greetings or polite requests phrased as questions. In philosophy and semantics, debate continues over how to define the meaning of questions, with some scholars viewing them as sets of possible answers.

Use in teaching, research, and law

Questions are a fundamental tool in education, social surveys, and legal investigation. The structure of a question can influence the response obtained; for example, a leading question guides the respondent toward a particular answer. For this reason, rigorous research uses carefully designed and standardized questions.

UncertaintyA detailed analysis of how questions are structured in Somali—particularly the roles of the particles ma, miyaa, and soo—varies by dialect; the descriptions given here are general observations and do not represent every dialect equally.

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