Definition
追问 (zhuīwèn) means 'to question closely, to press for an answer' — it's a verbal interrogation where you keep asking follow-ups until you get the truth. Unlike 追究 (zhuījiū), which investigates responsibility or cause, 追问 focuses on pressing a person for details in conversation. It's more direct and confrontational than 探讨 (tàntǎo, 'to discuss in depth').
verb
to question closelyto press for an answerto probe
Easily confused
- 过问guò wènlook-aliketo inquire into, to show concern about (someone's affairs, often when one has authority)
Examples
- 追问。Jǐngchá zhuī wèn xiányírén àn fā shí zài nǎlǐ.The police pressed the suspect on where he was when the crime occurred.
- 追问，。Jìzhě duì xìjié fǎnfù zhuī wèn, zhídào dédào dá'àn.The reporter probed the details repeatedly until he got an answer.
- 追问。Lǎoshī zhuī wèn tā wèishénme méi wánchéng zuòyè.The teacher pressed him on why he hadn't finished the homework.
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