man6 zeon1問津问津

Jyutpingman6 zeon1

Yalemahn jēun

動詞

Definition

To enquire; to ask about.

writtenshoppingother

How it's used

This term is almost exclusively used in the negative construction 無人問津 to describe something that is ignored, neglected, or lacks interest from the public. It carries a slightly formal or literary tone compared to everyday speech, often appearing in news reports or descriptions of failing businesses and unsold products. You will rarely hear it used in a positive or active sense like asking for directions or seeking information.

Examples

le1呢gaan1間pou3舖tau2頭saang1生ji3意hou2好caa1差，jyun4完cyun4全mou5冇jan4人man6問zeon1津。

This shop is doing very poorly; nobody is interested at all.

go2嗰gin2件fo3貨baai2擺zo2咗hou2好noi6耐dou1都mou5冇jan4人man6問zeon1津，dim2點syun3算aa4呀？

That item has been sitting there for a long time without anyone asking about it, what should we do?

Common phrases

mou4無jan4人man6問zeon1津

nobody shows interest

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a general word for asking questions, but it is specifically used for expressing a lack of interest or demand for a product or service. Do not use it to mean asking a person for information or directions.