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提问 (tí wèn) — to ask a question; to put a question to someone

Definition

提问 is the everyday verb for asking a question, typically in class or a meeting. 询问 is more formal and official; 质问 means to question someone sternly or accusingly.

verb
to ask a questionto put a question to someone

Examples

  • ，提问。
    Zài kè táng shàng, xué shēng kě yǐ tí wèn.
    In class, students can ask questions.
  • 提问。
    Wǒ xiǎng tí wèn yí gè wèn tí.
    I want to ask a question.
  • ，提问。
    Tǎo lùn de shí hou, dà jiā kě yǐ tí wèn.
    During the discussion, everyone can ask questions.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

提típut forward
问wènquestion

'提' puts forward a '问', meaning to ask or pose a question.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
扌Written in full as手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
是
是shì提tí
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

提 shows 扌 (hand) beside 是, which gives the pronunciation.

Open 提 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 問; 问 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
口口kǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
門
門mén問wèn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 問 combines 口 (mouth) with 門, which gives the sound; the simplified 问 is a later shorthand and its parts are not the historical components.

Open 问 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5HSK 2.0 Level 5Communication & Speech

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