问 (wèn) — to ask
Definition
Basic verb for asking a question (问一个问题). 请问 is the polite 'may I ask…' opener; 询问 is more formal/written.
verb
to ask
Examples
- 问。Tā wèn wǒ yí gè wèn tí.He asks me a question.
- 问。Wǒ wèn tā píng guǒ duō shǎo qián.I ask him how much the apple is.
- 问。Tā wèn lǎo shī jīn tiān hǎo bu hǎo.He asks the teacher if today is fine.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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.
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.
Grammar
Appears in
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