問う · godan verb (-u, special)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 問う | 問わない |
| Polite | 問います | 問いません |
| Past polite | 問いました | 問いませんでした |
| Past | 問うた | 問わなかった |
| Te-form | 問うて | 問わないで |
| Desire | 問いたい | 問いたくない |
| Potential | 問える | 問えない |
| Passive | 問われる | 問われない |
| Causative | 問わせる | 問わせない |
| Causative passive | 問わせられるalso 問わされる | 問わせられないalso 問わされない |
| Volitional | 問おう | |
| Polite volitional | 問いましょう | |
| Imperative | 問え | 問うな |
| Conditional | 問えば | 問わなければ |
| Tara conditional | 問うたら | 問わなかったら |
godan verb (-u, special), transitive verb
Formal or written equivalent of 聞く. Used for asking questions, seeking information, or making formal inquiries.
The reporter asked the minister about the details of the policy.
We ask users for their opinions through a questionnaire.
godan verb (-u, special), transitive verb
blame; accuse; pursue responsibility
Used in formal or legal contexts to hold someone accountable, often with ～に責任を問う or ～の罪を問う.
The president resigned after being held responsible for the accident.
He is being charged with murder.
godan verb (-u, special), transitive verb
care about; regard as important
Almost exclusively used in the negative form 問わず, meaning 'regardless of' or 'without regard to'. Fixed pattern: ～を問わず.
See also: 問わず
Our company is hiring motivated people regardless of experience.
This event is open to participants regardless of age.
godan verb (-u, special), transitive verb
call into question; doubt; question
Usually in the passive form 問われる, meaning something is being questioned or challenged, often in formal or abstract contexts.
The politician's competence is being called into question.
It is an era when the very nature of education is being questioned.
The reporter questioned the mayor about the details of the incident.
He was held responsible for the accident.
Anyone can apply, regardless of experience.
The politician's qualifications are being called into question.
An election was held to ask the public whether the policy was right or wrong.
ask a question; pose a question · begin to ask; start questioning
inquire; enquire; ask for information
press a question; cross-examine; grill
inquire; ask; question · interrogate; grill; press for an explanation
inquisitiveness; nosiness
to probe someone's true feelings; to sound out someone's heart
last memorial death anniversary
question again; repeat a question; re-ask
ask again; repeat a question · ask back; counter with a question
Suruga-style torture; Edo-period bondage torture
inquire; ask; seek information
inquisitive; questioning; quizzical
inquiry; enquiry