Chinese word

请问

Pronunciation

Pinyinqǐng wèn

Meaning

  • interjectionexcuse me

Example

请问车站在哪儿？qǐng wèn chē zhàn zài nǎr

Excuse me, where is the station?

Illustration for 请问 (excuse me)

More examples

请问你叫什么名字？qǐng wèn nǐ jiào shén me míng zì

Excuse me, what is your name?

Core concept

A polite doorway into a question, opening contact before the main information is requested.

Common phrases

  • 请问多少钱qǐng wèn duō shǎo qián

    May I ask how much

  • 请问在哪儿qǐng wèn zài nǎr

    may I ask where it is

Similar words

对不起duì bù qǐ: An expression used to apologize for causing trouble or inconvenience.
喂wèi: A short call used to get someone's attention or speak to someone on the phone.
不好意思bù hǎo yì si: An expression used for a mild apology, hesitation, or embarrassment.

Definition in Chinese

用于礼貌地开始提问的短语，常放在句首，后面跟具体问题。yòng yú lǐ mào dì kāi shǐ tí wèn de duán yǔ cháng fàng zài jù shǒu hòu miàn gēn jù tǐ wèn tí

Word origin

请问 (qǐngwèn, "excuse me; may I ask") is formed from 请 (qǐng, "please") + 问 (wèn, "ask"), combining a polite request with the act of asking.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English "excuse me," 请问 (qǐngwèn, "excuse me; may I ask") normally leads straight into a question rather than standing alone as an apology or attention-getter.

Other meanings

  • may I askinterjection

Word lists with this word