Questions · Lesson 3
Знаешь ли ты…
ли
ли sits right after the word in focus. It makes a yes/no (or whether) question without relying on intonation — common in writing, polite speech, and indirect questions.
How it works
ли sits right after the word in focus. It makes a yes/no (or whether) question without relying on intonation — common in writing, polite speech, and indirect questions.
Then open Tables, Notes, Exceptions, and Examples in that order.
When to use it
- Mark the focused word: Знаешь ли ты это? Он ли это сказал?
- Indirect whether: Я не знаю, придёт ли он. Спроси, дома ли она.
- Soften a request: Не хотите ли чаю? Не могли бы вы подождать?
- Never park ли at the end: not Ты дома ли?
Pro tip
Glue ли to the word you are actually asking about. For a soft ask, lead with не: Не хотите ли… Не могли бы вы…