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请问 (qǐng wèn) — excuse me, may I ask...?

Definition

A polite way to say 'excuse me' before asking a stranger a question (directions, prices, names). 对不起 and 不好意思 are for apologizing; 劳驾 is even more formal, used when asking a favor.

verb
excuse memay I ask...?

Examples

  • 请问，？
    qǐng wèn, Nǐ jiào shén me míng zì?
    Excuse me, may I ask what your name is?
  • 请问，？
    qǐng wèn, Zhè ge duō shǎo qián?
    Excuse me, how much is this?
  • 请问，？
    qǐng wèn, Nǐ shì lǎo shī ma?
    Excuse me, are you a teacher?

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

请qǐngrequest
问wènask

请 as a polite request combines with 问 to mean may I ask.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 請; 请 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánsay
Sound part声符shēngfú
青
青qīng請qǐng
Same sound today

In the traditional form 請, 言 shows it relates to speaking, and 青 gives the sound; the simplified 请 is a later shorter form.

Open 请 →

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 1Greetings & Politeness3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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