訊きく

き

く

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 20,000

訊く · godan verb (-ku)

Meanings

godan verb (-ku), transitive verb

Used when asking a question or seeking information. The kanji 訊く specifically indicates asking, unlike 聞く which can also mean 'to hear'.

〈人ひと〉に〈事こと〉を訊きくto ask someone about something
彼かれに事じ故このことを訊きいた。
I asked him about the accident.
理り由ゆうを訊きくto ask (someone) for the reason
彼かの女じょに遅ち刻こくの理り由ゆうを訊きいた。
I asked her the reason for being late.

聞きくN5
聞く is the everyday word covering both 'to hear' and 'to ask', while 訊く is a narrower, more literary kanji choice used only for the 'ask' meaning.
尋たずねるN4
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.
質しつ問もんN5
質問する emphasizes posing a formal question (e.g. in class or an interview), while 訊く is a more general, casual verb for asking something.

答こたえるN5
訊く means to ask a question, while 答える means to answer one, making them natural opposites in a Q&A exchange.

The kanji 訊 is composed of 言 (word) and 卂 (fast), suggesting a quick verbal inquiry. The reading きく is native Japanese and shared with 聞く/聴く.