ли
- 1.
whether, if
Не зна́ю, придёт ли он.
I don't know whether he will come.
Placed after the word it questions in the subordinate clause; introduces an indirect yes/no question.
- 2.
interrogative particle
Зна́ешь ли ты об э́том?
Do you know about this?
Placed after the first (stressed) word of the question; rendered in English by inversion or do/does/did: "Do you know...?", "Is it...?". Somewhat bookish or emphatic.
- 3.
whether ... or
Ра́но ли, по́здно ли, а он всё равно́ придёт.
Sooner or later he will come anyway.
With two alternatives ли may stand after each one (рано ли, поздно ли), or once with или before the second (хорошо ли, или плохо).
Usage info
Ли always goes after the question/interrogative word. например: <<Я спросил отца, всю ли газету он прочитал>> I asked father whether he read the whole paper.
For more info refer to topics titled Indirect Speech
Examples
Заде́ржится ли рейс 123?
Is Flight 123 going to be delayed?
Typical usagePRO
Neutral yes/no questions with ли
Говори́те ли вы по-ру́сски
Do you speak Russian?
Прие́дет ли он сего́дня
Will he come today?
Есть ли у вас ...
Do you have ...?
Мо́жно ли здесь паркова́ться
Is parking allowed here?
Focusing an element with ли
Все ли понима́ют
Does everyone understand?
Всё ли поня́тно
Is everything clear?
У всех ли есть биле́ты
Does everyone have tickets?
Э́тот ли челове́к ...
Is this the person ...
Polite requests and offers
Не подска́жете ли ...
Could you tell me ...
Не ска́жете ли, где ...
Could you tell me where ...
Не жела́ете ли ...
Would you like ...
Не пора́ ли ...
Isn't it time to ...
Fixed expressions
- вряд лиhardly
Learn
Contributions
Iron edited translation 1 week ago.
nrimanliyev edited translation 1 month ago.
xenomurph edited translation 1 year ago.
