请问

qǐng wèn

HSK 2.0 Level 2 HSK 3.0 Level 1 Verb Common

Definitions

1. Excuse me, may I ask...?
2. may I ask; excuse me before a question

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Word relationships

Register variants

1 item

劳驾

láo jià

excuse me

劳驾 is a polite way to ask for a favor or to get someone's attention, often used in northern China, similar to 请问 in some contexts.

Related words

1 item

请教

qǐng jiào

to ask for guidance

请教 means to consult or ask for advice, often used formally, while 请问 is more general for asking questions.

Synonyms

2 items

劳驾

láo jià

excuse me

礼貌地请别人做某事或打扰别人

对不起

duì bu qǐ

I'm sorry; excuse me; I beg your pardon

Both are polite ways to get attention, but 请问 is used before asking a question, while 对不起 is used to apologize.

Usage notes

Collocations

Often followed directly by the question without a pause, e.g., 请问洗手间在哪里？ (May I ask where the restroom is?).

Formality

'请问' is polite and formal, used to preface a question or request. It's suitable for most situations, including with strangers or superiors.

Example Sentences

5 shown

请问附近有停车场吗？

Is there a parking lot nearby?

请问最近的加油站在哪里？

Excuse me, where is the nearest gas station?

请问，您有合作的意向吗？

Excuse me, do you have any intention of cooperating?

请问，邮局在哪儿？

Excuse me, where is the post office?

请问，卫生间在哪里？

Excuse me, where is the bathroom?

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 请问

to ask; to inquire

to ask

请问