Thread: что ли - when is it used?

From some reason "google translate" translates it as "whether that". The other translation it gives is "or something"

Can I get clarification on what's valid? Or when do you use this interesting word-combination? I understand the meaning of each of them separately, just not together. I hear it being used every now and then.

great question

i'd say it's just a particle of a more expressive general question, which usually expresses doubt and surprise (both positive and negative) or anger
Normally it's appended at the end of fairly short phrases and supposed to mean seeking confirmation rhetorically.


Are you idiot? - Ты (что,) идиот что ли?

Did she leave (already)? - Она (уже) ушла что ли? (meaning the inquirer didn't expect her to leave or to leave that soon)

What, should I sit here til tomorrow morning? - Мне (что,) сидеть тут до утра что ли?

Don't they know it's forbidden? - Они (что,) не знают, что это запрещено, что ли?


in expressions of anger and agitation it can be translated as "or what?" (what - что, or - ли, short for или)


Don't you see what's written here or what? - Ты (что,) не видишь, что тут написано что ли?

it can also be shortened to что ль. Thus it becomes very very informal.

Ты готов что ль? - Are you ready?
Они пришли что ль? - Are they here?

This word is usually to be found in informal speech by people, in direct speech... It's not likely to be found frequently in newspaper or magazine articles (especially in serious editions) other than when representing somebody's speech or words.

Or sometimes it just expresses a confirmation request without even any shade of anger or surprise.

It is frequently used this way in colloquial conversations.

- Отправь это письмо своему другу. (Send this letter to your friend)
- Андрею, что ли? (To Andrew, right?) - Here the asker just asks for a confirmation he understood the request right.

Ah.....I see! So the English equivalent is "Or what?"

Because I can apply it to each and every one of your examples here.

"
Are you an idiot, or what?


Did she leave already or what?

Are you ready or what?

To Andrew, or what?

"

Yep...it works! Gotcha!

Thanks

Originally Posted by Valda

Ah.....I see! So the English equivalent is "Or what?"

Yeah, it seems 'Or what' works perfect...

http://razgovornik.info/zapyataya-posle-pojaluista.html


http://razgovornik.info/categories.html

By the way...
Даниил Хармс ИВАН ИВАНЫЧ САМОВА
-----------------------------
Даниил Хармс, стихи
ИВАН ИВАНЫЧ САМОВАР

........

Вот и бабушка пришла,
Очень старая пришла,
Даже с палочкой пришла.

И подумав говорит:
«Что-ли, выпить, говорит,
Что-ли, чаю», говорит.