Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
问(問)wèn(wen4)
The character 问 (wèn) means 'to ask' or 'to inquire.' It is commonly used when seeking information or clarification and can be used in various contexts, such as asking questions in a conversation, making inquiries in a formal setting, or even when requesting help.
Strokes6Radical门Frequency#201DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, asking questions is often seen as a way to show respect and interest in others. This is particularly evident in social settings where inquiring about someone's well-being is a common practice.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person standing at a door (门), looking in and wanting to ask (问) what's happening inside. The door symbolizes the act of entering a conversation, while the pronunciation 'wèn' sounds like 'when,' reminding you to ask questions in time.
Meanings of 问
wèn(wen4)
1to ask
2to ask about, to inquire after
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 问
问Simplified
問Traditional
6Strokes
门Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#201Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 问
Podcast: 问
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 问
Quick Contrast
询 (xún) - use 问 (wèn) for general inquiries, while 询 (xún) is often more formal or specific.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone; 问 is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone), which can change the meaning if mispronounced. It is often used in phrases like '问候' (to greet) and '问问题' (to ask a question). Avoid using it in overly formal writing where more sophisticated terms may be appropriate.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 问 connects with other basic verbs like 说 (to speak) and 听 (to listen). Focus on its usage in questions to enhance conversational skills, as it is essential for everyday interactions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 问 with 说 (shuō, to say), leading to sentences like '我问他说什么' (wǒ wèn tā shuō shénme), which incorrectly mixes the meanings. The correct form should be '我问他' (wǒ wèn tā, I ask him).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 问
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 问 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 门 represents the sound.
1The meaning half口 carries the sense.
2The sound half门 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaymouth
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 问? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 问?
Decomposition of 问
IDS Structure⿵门口
问Full Character
=
门Men2
enclosing
口kou3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 问?
How to say to ask in Chinese
“to ask” in Chinese is问wèn
The character 问 (wèn) means 'to ask' or 'to inquire.' It is commonly used when seeking information or clarification and can be used in various contexts, such as asking questions in a conversation, making inquiries in a formal setting, or even when requesting help.
When to use 问
Be mindful of the tone; 问 is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone), which can change the meaning if mispronounced. It is often used in phrases like '问候' (to greet) and '问问题' (to ask a question). Avoid using it in overly formal writing where more sophisticated terms may be appropriate.
问 or something close to it
询 (xún) - use 问 (wèn) for general inquiries, while 询 (xún) is often more formal or specific.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 问 with 说 (shuō, to say), leading to sentences like '我问他说什么' (wǒ wèn tā shuō shénme), which incorrectly mixes the meanings. The correct form should be '我问他' (wǒ wèn tā, I ask him).
Write 问
问
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 问 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 问
问 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 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.
