Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
询问 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
询问
xúnwèn
to inquire
HSK 5, v, 14 strokes, rank #3422, Hard
xúnwèn(xun2wen4)xun wen T2
1to inquire
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
询问(詢問)xúnwèn(xun2wen4)
询问 (xún wèn) means to inquire or ask questions about something. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts when seeking information or clarification, such as in conversations, interviews, or customer service situations.
Strokes14Frequency#3422DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, asking questions is often seen as a sign of respect and interest, particularly in educational or professional environments. The act of 询问 is not just about gathering information but also about fostering relationships and understanding.
Memory tip
Imagine a detective (the radical 询) who is always inquiring (wèn) about mysteries. The character's components resemble the detective investigating clues that lead to answers, helping you remember the pronunciation and meaning.
Meanings of 询问
xúnwèn(xun2wen4)
1to inquire
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 询问 means.
About 询问
询问Simplified
詢問Traditional
14Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3422Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 询问
Podcast: 询问
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 询问
Quick Contrast
询问 (xún wèn) vs. 询价 (xún jià) — use 询问 for general inquiries, while 询价 specifically refers to asking for a price.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 询问 with similar words like 问 (wèn), which means 'to ask' but is more general. 询问 is more formal and is often used in contexts requiring a polite or respectful tone, such as in business or academic settings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 询问 connects to other verbs related to communication, like 说 (shuō - to speak) and 问 (wèn - to ask). Focus on using it in context, particularly in scenarios where formal inquiries are appropriate.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 询问 with the more casual 问. For example, saying '我询问他' (I inquire him) is correct, but using it in a very casual context might sound overly formal. Instead, '我问他' (I ask him) is more appropriate.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 询问
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 询问, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 询问 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 询问?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 询问 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
询问 (xún wèn) means to inquire or ask questions about something. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts when seeking information or clarification, such as in conversations, interviews, or customer service situations.
When to use 询问
Be careful not to confuse 询问 with similar words like 问 (wèn), which means 'to ask' but is more general. 询问 is more formal and is often used in contexts requiring a polite or respectful tone, such as in business or academic settings.
询问 or something close to it
询问 (xún wèn) vs. 询价 (xún jià) — use 询问 for general inquiries, while 询价 specifically refers to asking for a price.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 询问 with the more casual 问. For example, saying '我询问他' (I inquire him) is correct, but using it in a very casual context might sound overly formal. Instead, '我问他' (I ask him) is more appropriate.
Write 询问
询
问
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 询问 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 询问
询问 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. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他四处____，得知比利还没到这儿。
He had asked around and learned that Billy was not yet here.
Example sentences for 询问 (14)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他四处询问，得知比利还没到这儿。
tā sìchù xúnwèn， dézhī bǐ lì hái méi dào zhèr。
He had asked around and learned that Billy was not yet here.
