問
question, ask, problem
Readings
On'yomi
- モン
Kun'yomi
- と.う
- と.い
- とん
Nanori
- はる
Meaning
問 centers on seeking information or resolution: asking a question, inquiring, or addressing a problem that needs an answer.
Most common words using 問
24 of 373- 問題もんだいN5
question (e.g. on a test); problem
- 質問しつもんN5
question; inquiry; enquiry
- 疑問ぎもんN3
doubt; question; suspicion; dubiousness
- 問うとうN2
to ask; to inquire
- 訪問ほうもんN4
call; visit
- 問い合わせといあわせN3
inquiry; query; enquiry
- 問もんN1
counter for questions
- 顧問こもん
adviser; advisor; consultant; counselor
- 拷問ごうもん
torture
- 学問がくもんN3
study; scholarship; learning; education; knowledge
- 問いといN3
question; query
- 尋問じんもん
questioning; interrogation; examination (of a witness)
- 問答もんどうN2
questions and answers; dialogue
- 問屋とんやN1
wholesale store; wholesale dealer; wholesaler
- 不問ふもんN2
not asking (about); letting go unquestioned; disregarding; ignoring; overlooking
- 諮問しもん
consultation; question; enquiry; inquiry
- 難問なんもんN1
perplexity; difficult question; difficult problem
- 設問せつもん
posing a question
- 審問しんもん
trial; hearing; inquiry; examination; interrogation
- 検問けんもん
inspection; examination; check
- 喚問かんもん
summons
- 疑問符ぎもんふ
question mark
- 問い合わせるといあわせるN2
to enquire; to inquire; to seek information
- 自問じもんN1
asking oneself
Study
Etymology
問 combines 門 (gate) and 口 (mouth), suggesting asking or questioning at a gate. The gate may also contribute a phonetic element.
Meaning mnemonic
Picture a mouth 口 at the gate 門 asking a question before entry. The gatekeeper must answer the problem before letting you through.
Reading mnemonic
For モン, imagine a monk at the gate asking a deep question: monk -> モン, and the mouth inside the gate seeks wisdom.