вопрос ли vs вопрос

vopros li vs vopros — whether it is a question vs a question

What it really means

Вопрос is the noun “question.” Adding ли after it creates «вопрос ли», a yes/no uncertainty about whether something counts as a question or is the issue at hand. The particle belongs after the focused word, while «вопрос?» alone asks for information and does not express that embedded uncertainty.

Examples in natural speech

Это вопрос ли или утверждение?
Is this a question or a statement?
Неясно, вопрос ли это.
It is unclear whether this is a question.
У меня есть вопрос.
I have a question.
Вопрос касается сроков.
The question concerns the deadlines.
Главный вопрос — кто отвечает.
The main question is who is responsible.

Common mistakes

Do not treat ли as part of the noun: it is a movable particle and is normally written separately. For a natural alternative, «Это вопрос или утверждение?» uses или for the overt choice.

Memory tip

Вопрос names the issue; ли puts that issue itself on trial.

Frequently asked questions

Is «вопрос ли это» a complete question?

It is usually an embedded clause after «неясно» or similar wording; in direct speech, intonation or «Это вопрос?» is more natural.

Why not use или in «неясно, вопрос ли это»?

Ли marks whether the proposition is true; или would offer two explicit alternatives.

Can ли follow another word in the phrase?

Yes, it follows whatever is focused: «Это ли вопрос?» means “Is this the question?” with strong focus on this.

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