seon1 man6詢問询问
Jyutpingseon1 man6
Yalesēun mahn
Definition
To ask about, enquire, or consult.
- to ask about; to enquire; to make inquiries
- to consult; to seek advice or opinions
neutralcommunicationwork
How it's used
Although 詢問 is a standard term for making an inquiry, it carries a formal tone that is often reserved for professional, administrative, or written contexts. In casual daily conversation, speakers almost always prefer using 問 or 查詢 instead. Using 詢問 in a very relaxed setting can make you sound like you are reading from a formal document or conducting a stiff interview.
Examples
Have you asked the manager yet?
Related words
Common phrases
to seek an opinion
to inquire about details
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 問, which is the universal verb for asking. 詢問 implies a more structured or official process of seeking information, whereas 問 is used for everything from asking for directions to asking a friend a simple question.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
