Common word› JLPT N4 › Freq. Frequency Top 10,000 Conjugation 尋ねる · ichidan verb
Form Positive Negative Dictionary 尋たず ねる 尋たず ねない Polite 尋たず ねます 尋たず ねません Past polite 尋たず ねました 尋たず ねませんでした Past 尋たず ねた 尋たず ねなかった Te-form 尋たず ねて 尋たず ねないで Desire 尋たず ねたい 尋たず ねたくない Potential 尋たず ねられる also 尋たず ねれる 尋たず ねられない also 尋たず ねれない Passive 尋たず ねられる 尋たず ねられない Causative 尋たず ねさせる 尋たず ねさせない Causative passive 尋たず ねさせられる 尋たず ねさせられない Volitional 尋たず ねよう Polite volitional 尋たず ねましょう Imperative 尋たず ねろ 尋たず ねるな Conditional 尋たず ねれば 尋たず ねなければ Tara conditional 尋たず ねたら 尋たず ねなかったら
Usage patterns 〈 人ひと 〉 に 〈 事こと 〉 を 尋たず ねる to ask someone about something
I asked the station attendant about the train schedule.
〈 人ひと〉 〉 の 行方ゆくえ を 尋たず ねる to search for someone's whereabouts
The police are searching for the missing man's whereabouts.
道みち を 尋たず ねる to ask for directions
I asked a passerby for directions.
名な 前まえ を 尋たず ねる to ask someone's name
I was asked my name at the reception desk.
Expressions 七なな 度たび 尋たず ねて 人ひと を 疑うたが え search thoroughly before suspecting someone of theft; be sure of your facts before accusing Kanji 尋 inquire, fathom, look for 訊 request, question, investigate Related words· 10 聞く is the everyday, broad verb covering hearing, listening, and asking, while 尋ねる is more formal and used specifically for asking a question.
探す is the everyday verb for looking for something, whereas 尋ねる in this sense is more literary and often implies searching for a person or clue.
質問する is the standard word for posing a formal question (e.g. in class or an interview), while 尋ねる can be used more broadly for everyday inquiries as well.
調べる means to investigate or look into facts methodically, while 尋ねる in this sense has a more narrative, seeking-out feel.
Show 6 more Show fewer 尋ねる is a plain, general verb for asking or inquiring, while 問いかける adds a nuance of directing a question with intent, often rhetorically or introspectively.
尋ねる is a slightly more formal word for asking or inquiring, often used when seeking directions or detailed information, whereas 訊く is a plainer, more direct way to ask.
尋ねる is the plain, neutral verb for asking, while 伺う is the humble version used when the speaker asks a superior or respected person.
尋ねる is a general, slightly formal word for asking something (directions, personal questions), whereas 問い合わせる specifically implies a systematic inquiry to an organization.
尋ねる is a slightly less formal way to ask or inquire, common in polite spoken contexts, whereas 問う carries a stronger sense of formal investigation.
尋ねる is a more formal or literary verb for asking/inquiring, whereas 質問をする is the everyday phrase used in both casual and formal contexts.
Word family· 7 inquiry; question; asking · searching; looking for
missing person; wanted person
question; inquiry; asking
item one is looking for; missing article
wanted person; fugitive
Show 2 more Show fewer Written forms 尋たず ねる Usage 65%
Standard kanji spelling for both asking and seeking/searching meanings; this is the high-priority form.
たずねる Usage 26%
訊たず ねる Usage 10%
Less common spelling that emphasizes asking or questioning; generally not used for the search or seek sense.
Etymology A native Japanese verb written conventionally with 尋 , a kanji associated with seeking or inquiring. 訊 is a rarer spelling associated specifically with questioning. The exact historical derivation of たずねる is uncertain.
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