問とう

godan verb (-u, special), transitive verb

ask; inquire

Formal or written equivalent of 聞く. Used for asking questions, seeking information, or making formal inquiries.

• 記き者しゃが大だい臣じんに政せい策さくの詳しょう細さいを問とうた。

  The reporter asked the minister about the details of the policy.

• アンケートで利り用よう者しゃの意い見けんを問とう。

  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.

• 事じ故この責せき任にんを問とわれて、社しゃ長ちょうが辞じ任にんした。

  The president resigned after being held responsible for the accident.

• 彼かれは殺さつ人じんの罪つみを問とわれている。

  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

• 当とう社しゃは経けい験けんを問とわず、やる気きのある人ひとを募ぼ集しゅうします。

  Our company is hiring motivated people regardless of experience.

• このイベントは年ねん齢れいを問とわず参さん加かできます。

  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.

• その政せい治じ家かの資し質しつが問とわれている。

  The politician's competence is being called into question.

• 教きょう育いくのあり方かたが根こん本ぽんから問とわれる時じ代だいだ。

  It is an era when the very nature of education is being questioned.