verb HSK 4
Traditional 詢問
to inquire · to ask about · to question
Meaning
询问 means to ask questions or make inquiries, typically in a formal or polite manner. It's commonly used in professional, official, or respectful contexts when seeking information. The word conveys a more formal tone than casual question words like 问.
Usage
询问 is frequently used in business, customer service, medical, and official settings. It's more formal than simply saying 问 (to ask). Often appears in written communication and polite spoken contexts. Common in phrases like 询问详情 (inquire about details) or 前来询问 (come to inquire).
Examples
- 01如果您有任何疑问，请随时询问我们的客服人员。, .If you have any questions, please feel free to inquire with our customer service staff at any time.
- 02警察正在询问目击者事故发生的经过。.The police are questioning witnesses about how the accident occurred.
Characters
Common collocations
- 询问情况to inquire about the situation
- 电话询问to inquire by phone
- 详细询问to inquire in detail
- 前来询问to come to inquire
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters relate to asking questions. 询 contains the speech radical 讠and 旬 (phonetic), while 问 shows a mouth 口 inside a gate 门, suggesting asking at an entrance.