Japanese word

尋ねる

Pronunciation

Romajitazuneru

Meaning

  • verbask

Example

駅への道を尋ねます。eki e no michi o tazu ne ma su

I ask for directions to the station.

Illustration for 尋ねる (ask)

More examples

友だちに好きな食べ物を尋ねます。tomo da chi ni su ki na ta be mono o tazu ne ma su

I ask my friend what food they like.

店員に、商品の場所を尋ねました。ten in ni shō hin no ba sho o tazu ne ma shi ta

I asked a store clerk where the product was.

Core concept

Centers on seeking information from another person by putting a question into words.

Common phrases

  • 人に尋ねるhito ni tazu ne ru

    ask someone

  • 名前を尋ねるna mae o tazu ne ru

    ask someone's name

  • 道を尋ねるmichi o tazu ne ru

    ask for directions

Similar words

聞くkiku: To ask someone for information or an answer.
伺うukagau: To ask for information in a humble or polite way.
質問するshitsumonsuru: To ask a specific question to obtain information or clarification.

Definition in Japanese

知りたいことを相手に質問し、答えを求める。shi ri ta i ko to o ai te ni shitsu mon shi kota e o moto me ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 尋ねる (tazuneru, "to ask") has an older sense of seeking something, which extends to seeking an answer through a question.

Usage tips

  • Japanese distinguishes 尋ねる (tazuneru, "to ask") from 訪ねる (tazuneru, "to visit"), although the two verbs share the same reading.

Opposites

Related words

  • 尋ね方tazunekataway of askingnoun

Word lists with this word