pyetëse

Pyetëse is a term used in Albanian linguistics to designate the set of words and phrases that introduce or express questions. It is commonly treated as the class of interrogatives, distinct from the noun pyetje (a question) and from general speech acts of asking.

Etymology and scope: Pyetëse is derived from the verb pyet, “to ask,” with the suffix -ëse forming a lexical category name. In many grammars, pyetëse refers to the group of interrogative elements rather than to a single word. The category can include pronouns, adverbs, and certain determiners that function to form questions.

Functions and forms: Interrogatives labeled as pyetëse are used to ask questions in direct and indirect constructions. They include interrogative pronouns such as kush (who) and çfarë (what), interrogative adverbs like ku (where), kur (when), pse (why), and či, as well as associated forms that modify or introduce questions. In syntactic analysis, pyetëse words may appear at various positions in a clause and interact with the verb to express inquiry, doubt, or request for information.

Usage and notes: The term pyetëse is more common in linguistic descriptions and grammatical discussions than in everyday speech, where speakers usually refer to specific question words. Dialectal or historical Albanian texts may show broader or different uses of the category. It is closely related to, but distinct from, pyetje (the act or instance of asking) and pyetësor (the questionnaire or interrogative system).

See also: Pyetje, Pyetësor, Interrogative (in Albanian).