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询 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
询xúnto ask aboutv, 8 strokes, radical 讠, rank #30051, Very Hard
询xúnto inquire aboutv, 8 strokes, radical 讠, rank #30051, Very Hard
询xúnto ask about, to inquire into; to consultv, 8 strokes, radical 讠, rank #30051, Very Hard
xún(xun2) T2
  1. 1to ask about
  2. 2to inquire about
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
询(詢)xún(xun2)

询 (xún) means to ask about or inquire into something. It is commonly used in contexts where one seeks information or clarification, particularly in formal situations. This character often implies a deeper level of inquiry than simply asking a question.

Strokes8Radical讠Frequency#30051DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, inquiring about someone’s well-being or situation is a sign of politeness and concern. 询 reflects the cultural value placed on communication and relational harmony.

Memory Tip

Imagine a detective trying to 'ask' (询) the right questions to 'inquire' about a mystery. The character 询 contains the radical 言 (yán), which relates to speech, emphasizing the idea of asking or inquiring through words.

Meanings of 询

xún(xun2)
1to ask about
2to inquire about
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 询

询Simplified
詢Traditional
8Strokes
讠Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#30051Frequency Rank

Podcast: 询

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Podcast: 询

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 询

Quick Contrast

询 (xún) vs 问 (wèn) — use 询 for formal inquiries seeking detailed information, while 问 is more casual and general.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a detective trying to 'ask' (询) the right questions to 'inquire' about a mystery. The character 询 contains the radical 言 (yán), which relates to speech, emphasizing the idea of asking or inquiring through words.

Usage Notes

When using 询, it is important to maintain a formal register, especially in business or official contexts. Common phrases include 询问 (xúnwèn, to inquire) and 询价 (xúnjià, to ask for a price). Be careful not to confuse it with 问 (wèn), which is more casual.

HSK Study Tips

虽然询 is not currently included in the HSK, it shares components with other HSK words related to asking and communication, such as 问 (wèn). Focus on using 询 in contexts where formality is required.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, inquiring about someone’s well-being or situation is a sign of politeness and concern. 询 reflects the cultural value placed on communication and relational harmony.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 询 with 问, mistakenly using 询 in casual contexts. For example, saying '我询你这个问题' instead of '我问你这个问题' (I ask you this question) is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 询

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Etymology of 询

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 讠 represents the meaning and 旬 represents the sound. Simplified form of 詢.

Memory Hint

speech

Semantic (meaning)讠
+
Phonetic (sound)旬
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 询?

Decomposition of 询

IDS Structure⿰讠旬
询Full Character
=
讠yan2
left
旬xun2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 询?

Write 询

询

Practice writing 询 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 询

询 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 5

Complete the Sentence

民意调查征____了将近80位经济学家的意见。

The poll canvassed the views of almost eighty economists.

Common Confusions with 询

询vs寻
xún

Similar pronunciation and related meaning.

询vs讯
xùn

Similar pronunciation but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to ask about"?

or

Example Sentences for 询 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
民意调查征询了将近80位经济学家的意见。

mín yì tiáo chá zhēng xún le jiāng jìn80 80 wèi jīng jì xué jiā de yì。

The poll canvassed the views of almost eighty economists.
2
他四处询问，得知比利还没到这儿。

tā sì chǔ xún wèn， ， dé zhī bǐ lì huán méi dào zhè。

He had asked around and learned that Billy was not yet here.
3
其中一位新闻记者询问是否有人为破坏的可能性。

qí zhōng yī wèi xīn wén jì zhě xún wèn shì fǒu yǒu rén wéi pò huài de kě néng xìng。

One of the journalists queried whether sabotage could have been involved.
4
他询问是否有留给他的口信。

tā xún wèn shì fǒu yǒu liú gěi tā de kǒu xìn。

He inquired whether there had been any messages for him.
5
詹姆斯，如果我是你，我就会拒绝向夏皮罗咨询。

zhān mǔ sī， ， rú guǒ wǒ shì， nǐ ， wǒ jiù huì jù jué xiàng xià pí luó。

James, I should refuse that consultancy with Shapiro, if I were you.
6
你需要去找训练有素的咨询顾问请教这些问题。

nǐ xū yào qù zhǎo xùn liàn yǒu sù de zī xún gù wèn qǐng jiào zhè xiē wèn tí。

You need to take your problems to a trained counsellor.
7
建议你去咨询医生。

jiàn yì nǐ qù zī xún yī shēng。

It is recommended that you should consult your doctor.
8
她写信给派拉蒙电影公司，询问他们是否同意让她去试镜。

tā xiě xìn gěi pài lā mēng diàn yǐng gōng sī， ， xún wèn tā mén shì fǒu tóng yì ràng tā qù shì。

She wrote to Paramount Studios and asked if they would audition her.
9
像往常一样，我们马上去找专家咨询。

xiàng wǎng cháng yī yàng， ， wǒ mén mǎ shàng qù zhǎo zhuān jiā zī。

As always, we went straight to the experts for advice.
10
本·莫里斯先生在议会就程序问题提出质询。

běn· · mò lǐ sī xiān shēng zài yì huì jiù chéng xù wèn tí tí chū zhì。

A point of order was raised in parliament by Mr Ben Morris.

Cultural Notes for 询

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, inquiring about someone’s well-being or situation is a sign of politeness and concern. 询 reflects the cultural value placed on communication and relational harmony.

Word Family of 询

Words Containing This Character10
咨询zīxúnto consult咨詢
询问xúnwènto inquire詢問
查询cháxúnto check查詢
询xúnto ask about詢
质询to question質詢
征询to consult徵詢
探询to inquire into探詢
欧阳询Ouyang Xun (557-641), one of Four Great Calligraphers of early Tang 唐初四大家[Táng​chū​Sì​Dà​jiā]歐陽詢
轮询to poll輪詢
追询to interrogate追詢
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 咨询 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 询

Use 询 when you need a more formal way to ask or inquire, especially in business or official settings.