Modern Hindi Grammar - Indian Institute of Language Studies (IILS)

4. SYNTAX

Question-word echo-questions are uttered with a slightly rising
intonation at the end of the phrase or sentence in yes-no questions. It
is not so in question-word questions. The questioner may also use
the expected answer in his/her question with a rising intonation.

86d. @yaa ilaK rha hO, p~?
kya: likh raha: h ́, patr?
What is he writing, a letter?

86e. haÐ haÐ, p~.
hã: hã:, patr.
Yes, a letter.

In (86d), a pause (indicated by a comma) separates the two rising
intonation patterns. A statement containing more than one
constituent permits the use of more than one echo-question.

87. haÐ, ]sanao kla iktaba pZ,I.
    hã:, usne kal kita:b parhi:.
    yes he-erg yesterday book read-fs
    Yes, he read a book yesterday.

87a. iksanao (kla) iktaba pZ,I.
kisne (kal kita:b) parhi:?
Who read (a book yesterday)?

87b. iksanao @yaa pZ,I?
kisne kya: parhi:?
Who read what?

87c. iksanao @yaa ikyaa?
kisne kya: kiya:?
Who did what?

Question-word echo-questions follow the same pattern.

88. Aap @yaa kr rho hOM?
    a:p kya: kar rahe h ́~?
    you what are-2s doing
    What are you doing?