Chinese Conversation · Level 70
90 words
Chinese word
询问
Pronunciation
Pinyinxún wèn
Meaning
- verbask
Example
请到前台询问营业时间。qǐng dào qián tái xún wèn yíng yè shí jiān
Please go to the front desk and ask about the business hours.
More examples
客户来电询问产品供货时间。kè hù lái diàn xún wèn chán pǐn gōng huò shí jiān
The customer called to ask when the product would be available.
Core concept
A deliberate question directed at someone to obtain a clear answer or useful information.
Common phrases
询问情况xún wèn qíng kuàng
ask about the situation
向老师询问问题xiàng lǎo shī xún wèn wèn tí
ask the teacher a question
电话询问价格diàn huà xún wèn jià gé
ask about prices by phone
Similar words
问wèn: Direct a question to someone and expect a reply.
咨询zī xún: Request information or guidance from a professional, office, or information source.
打听dǎ tīng: Collect information about something by asking people.
提问tí wèn: Raise a question for a teacher, speaker, or group in a class or meeting.
Definition in Chinese
就某事向他人提出问题以获得说明或答复，范围包括询问意见、时间、事实等。jiù mǒu shì xiàng tā rén tí chū wèn tí yǐ huò dé shuō míng huò dá fù fàn wéi bāo kuò xún wèn yì jiàn shí jiān shì shí děng
Word origin
询 (xún, "inquire") + 问 (wèn, "ask") joins two asking elements, giving the word a focused sense of seeking information from another person.
Usage tips
- This verb often has a more deliberate and formal tone than a casual question word, so it fits service encounters and polite requests for information.