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March 24, 2026
问(問)wèn(wen4)
The character 问 (wèn) means 'to ask' or 'to inquire.' It is commonly used when seeking information or clarification and can be used in various contexts, such as asking questions in a conversation, making inquiries in a formal setting, or even when requesting help.
Strokes6Radical门Frequency#201DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, asking questions is often seen as a way to show respect and interest in others. This is particularly evident in social settings where inquiring about someone's well-being is a common practice.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person standing at a door (门), looking in and wanting to ask (问) what's happening inside. The door symbolizes the act of entering a conversation, while the pronunciation 'wèn' sounds like 'when,' reminding you to ask questions in time.
Meanings of 问
wèn(wen4)
1to ask
2to ask about, to inquire after
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 问
问Simplified
問Traditional
6Strokes
门Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#201Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 问
Podcast: 问
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AI Study Notes for 问
Quick Contrast
询 (xún) - use 问 (wèn) for general inquiries, while 询 (xún) is often more formal or specific.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person standing at a door (门), looking in and wanting to ask (问) what's happening inside. The door symbolizes the act of entering a conversation, while the pronunciation 'wèn' sounds like 'when,' reminding you to ask questions in time.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone; 问 is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone), which can change the meaning if mispronounced. It is often used in phrases like '问候' (to greet) and '问问题' (to ask a question). Avoid using it in overly formal writing where more sophisticated terms may be appropriate.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 问 connects with other basic verbs like 说 (to speak) and 听 (to listen). Focus on its usage in questions to enhance conversational skills, as it is essential for everyday interactions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, asking questions is often seen as a way to show respect and interest in others. This is particularly evident in social settings where inquiring about someone's well-being is a common practice.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 问 with 说 (shuō, to say), leading to sentences like '我问他说什么' (wǒ wèn tā shuō shénme), which incorrectly mixes the meanings. The correct form should be '我问他' (wǒ wèn tā, I ask him).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 问
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Grammar Patterns of 问
问 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
"What did you expect me to do about it?" she demanded.
9
老实讲，托马斯，你贷款的问题开始让我担心了。
lǎo shí jiǎng， ， tuō mǎ， sī ， nǐ dài kuǎn de wèn tí kāi shǐ ràng wǒ dān。
Frankly, Thomas, this question of your loan is beginning to worry me.
10
现在可以回答你的问题了，你母亲失望的原因就在这里。
xiàn zài kě yǐ huí dá nǐ de wèn tí le， ， nǐ mǔ qīn shī wàng de yuán yīn jiù zài zhè。
And so, to answer your question, that's why your mother is disappointed.
Cultural Notes for 问
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, asking questions is often seen as a way to show respect and interest in others. This is particularly evident in social settings where inquiring about someone's well-being is a common practice.
