more polite than direct questions. They can be introduced with:
Can you tell me…?
Could you tell me…? Do you know…? Have you any idea…? Do you happen to know…? May I ask…? Would you mind telling me…? The second part of the sentence will have S+V topic (word order) and will be introduced by if/ whether (yes/ no questions) or a question word (wh- questions). Eg. Direct question: Do you want to come? Indirect question: Could you tell me if you want to come?
Direct question: Where is the bank?
Indirect question: Could you tell me where the bank is?