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Questions & Answers about Bu ne?
Where is the word for 'is' in this sentence?
In Turkish, there is no separate word for 'is', 'am', or 'are'. Instead, 'to be' is usually expressed as a suffix attached to a word. However, for the third person ('he', 'she', 'it', or 'this'), that suffix is very often skipped completely. So, Bu ne literally translates to 'This what?', but it means 'What is this?'.
Why is the word order Bu ne and not Ne bu?
In Turkish, the question word generally goes in the exact same spot in the sentence where the answer will go. If you answer the question with Bu elma (This is an apple), the object elma comes second. Because of this, the question word ne (what) also goes in that second spot.
If I am pointing at a new person I haven't met, can I ask Bu ne?
No! The word ne means 'what' and is strictly used for objects, concepts, or animals. If you want to ask 'Who is this?' about a person, you need to use the question word kim (who) and ask Bu kim? instead.