Chinese verb · action · first needed at beginner level (A1)
问
wèn
to ask
The person you ask comes straight after , without a preposition: (wèn lǎoshī), (wèn tā yí ge wèntí). (qǐngwèn) is the polite “excuse me, may I ask”.
Speed:
Basic
基本
Now, usually, or with a time word. Negative: (bú wèn).
| affirmative | 我问问他。Wǒ wènwen tā. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我不问他。Wǒ bú wèn tā. | |
| question | 你问谁？Nǐ wèn shéi? |
Completed
了
Something that has happened. Negative with (méi), and then 了 drops.
| affirmative | 我问了老师。Wǒ wènle lǎoshī. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我没问老师。Wǒ méi wèn lǎoshī. | |
| question | 你问老师了吗？Nǐ wèn lǎoshī le ma? |
Experience
过
Something done at least once before. Negative: + verb + 过.
| affirmative | 我问过他。Wǒ wènguo tā. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我没问过他。Wǒ méi wènguo tā. | |
| question | 你问过他吗？Nǐ wènguo tā ma? |
Future and intention
要 / 会
: something you're going to ask. : you've decided not to.
| affirmative | 我要问老师一个问题。Wǒ yào wèn lǎoshī yí ge wèntí. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我不问了。Wǒ bú wèn le. | |
| question | 你要问什么？Nǐ yào wèn shénme? |
Ability and permission
能 / 可以 / 会
: it's fine to ask. : you shouldn't ask.
| affirmative | 你可以问我。Nǐ kěyǐ wèn wǒ. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 这个不能问。Zhège bù néng wèn. | |
| question | 我可以问你一个问题吗？Wǒ kěyǐ wèn nǐ yí ge wèntí ma? |
Result
结果补语
: to ask until it's clear. Negative: .
| affirmative | 我问清楚了。Wǒ wèn qīngchu le. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我没问清楚。Wǒ méi wèn qīngchu. | |
| question | 你问清楚了吗？Nǐ wèn qīngchu le ma? |
Examples
- 请问，地铁站在哪儿？Qǐngwèn, dìtiězhàn zài nǎr?Excuse me, where's the metro station?
- 他问我叫什么名字。Tā wèn wǒ jiào shénme míngzi.He asked me my name.
- 有问题可以问我。Yǒu wèntí kěyǐ wèn wǒ.If you have any questions, you can ask me.