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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to ask' with 问 (wèn)

    Questions

    Structure

    Subject + 问 + Person + Question

    Explanation

    The verb 问 (wèn) means 'to ask,' one of the most basic and frequently used verbs in Chinese. It introduces a question or inquiry directed at someone, with the person asked placed directly after 问 and the content of the question following. 问 can introduce both direct and indirect questions.

    Examples

    • 我想问你一个问题，可以吗？

      wǒ xiǎng wèn nǐ yí gè wèntí, kěyǐ ma?

      I'd like to ask you a question, if that's okay?

    • 他问我明天要不要一起吃饭。

      tā wèn wǒ míngtiān yào bùyào yìqǐ chīfàn.

      He asked me if I wanted to have dinner together tomorrow.

    • 她问老师这道题怎么做。

      tā wèn lǎoshī zhè dào tí zěnme zuò.

      She asked the teacher how to solve this problem.

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    Expressing 'to ask' with 问 (wèn) | Chinese Grammar