To ask Yes/No questions in Bulgarian, we use the word “ли“. Its position in the question can vary depending on the verb we use and where we want to put the focus in the question. See the examples below:
Ключовете са тук. (The keys are here.)
Тук ли са ключовете? (Are the keys here?) – emphasis on тук(here)
Ключовете тук ли са? (Are the keys here?) – again, emphasis on тук(here)
Ключовете ли са тук? (Are the keys here?) – emphasis on ключовете(the keys)
Имате резервация. (You have a reservation.)
Имате ли резервация? (Do you have a reservation?) – emphasis on имате(have)
Резервация имате ли? (Do you have a reservation?) – emphasis on резервация(reservation)
Резервация ли имате? (Do you have a reservation?) – again, emphasis on резервация(reservation)
With open questions, we usually start with question words such as “какво“, “кога“, “къде“, “защо“, etc. Here are some examples:
Отиваш на работа.(You’re going to work.)
Кога отиваш на работа? (When are you going to work?)
Тя плаща сметката. (She’s paying the bill.)
Защо тя плаща сметката?(Why is she paying the bill?)
Use the following exercises to practice asking questions in Bulgarian: