Who, What, When, Where, Why

When a person is learning Anishinaabemowin, the question marker words and article words should be a priority. They are used often in speech.

When asking a question without using a question marker word, you have to use the word “naa” in your question. When answering a question you would use the word “gwa” in your response to that question.

When answering in a negative form you have to use the words “kaa or kaawiin” and then you have to use the answer in a negative form by using “sii, zii or sno” if it is singular as a suffix.

	Inanimate		Animate
	Ademin naa giimiijin?		Mishiimin naa giimawaa?
	Did you eat the heart berry?		Did you eat the apple?
	Enh, ademin gwa ngiimiijin.		Enh, mishiimin gwa ngiimawaa.
	Yes, I ate the heart berry.		Yes, I ate the apple.
	Kaa, kaawiin gwa ademin ngiimiijsiin.		Kaa, kaawiin gwa mishiimin ngiimawaasii.
	No, I did not eat the heart berry.		No, I did not eat the apple.

Question markers
Who		Wenesh
When		Wenesh pii
What		Wegnesh
Which		Wegenen
Why		Aanii dash
Where		Aapiish / Aanii piish
How		Aaniish

Articles		This		That		These		Those
Inanimate		maanda		we		ninda		newe
Animate		maaba		wa		gwanda		gewe