问
to ask
wèn
What does 问 mean?
问 (wèn) is the basic Chinese verb 'to ask' — to put a question to someone. It covers both asking for information (我想问一个问题, 'I want to ask a question') and asking after someone (问候, 'to send regards'). One difference from English: Chinese 问 takes the person being asked as a direct object without a preposition — 我问老师 ('I ask the teacher'), not 'I ask TO the teacher.' For polite requests like 'may I ask...?' the standard opener is 请问 (qǐng wèn), which is the courteous way to start any question with a stranger. 问 also appears in many compounds: 问题 (question/problem), 问候 (regards), 询问 (to inquire, more formal), and 访问 (to visit / to interview).
Character breakdown
to ask; mouth (口) inside a door (门) — opening your mouth at a doorway to ask
Memory hook: 门 (door) + 口 (mouth) — you stand at the door and use your mouth to ask.
Example sentences
请问，洗手间在哪儿？
Qǐng wèn, xǐshǒujiān zài nǎr?
Excuse me, where is the bathroom?
polite
我可以问你一个问题吗？
Wǒ kěyǐ wèn nǐ yí ge wèntí ma?
Can I ask you a question?
neutral
他问我为什么来中国。
Tā wèn wǒ wèi shénme lái Zhōngguó.
He asked me why I came to China.
neutral
替我问你妈妈好。
Tì wǒ wèn nǐ māma hǎo.
Say hello to your mom for me.
spoken
Common phrases with 问
Hear it in real Fluentide episodes
问 appears in 1 podcast episode at natural native speed, with full Chinese script, pinyin, and line-by-line English translation.
Synonyms
More formal and written. Used in news, official contexts, and customer service: 警方正在询问目击者 ('police are questioning witnesses'). Everyday speech uses 问.
Polite 'to ask for advice/instruction' — used when asking someone more knowledgeable. 我想请教您一个问题 ('I'd like to consult you on a question'). 问 is neutral; 请教 shows respect.
Don't confuse 问 with
闻 means 'to smell' or 'to hear of' and looks similar — 门 with 耳 (ear) inside instead of 口 (mouth). 问 = ask with your mouth; 闻 = perceive with your ear/nose.
间 means 'between' or is a measure word for rooms — 门 with 日 (sun) inside. Visually similar to 问 but completely different meaning.