§ Basic Usage of 問いかける
The Japanese verb 問いかける (toikakeru) means "to ask a question" or "to inquire." It's often used when you're seeking information, clarification, or a response from someone. Think of it as a slightly more formal or deliberate way of asking compared to just 聞く (kiku), which can mean "to hear" or "to ask" in a more general sense.
- DEFINITION
- To ask a question or to inquire.
When you 問いかける, you're typically directing a specific question or a series of questions towards someone.
先生に質問を問いかけた。
*Hint: I asked a question to the teacher.*
彼女は私にいくつかの疑問を問いかけた。
*Hint: She asked me some questions/doubts.*
§ Grammar and Particles with 問いかける
When using 問いかける, you'll often see it paired with specific particles to indicate who or what is being questioned.
- 〜に 問いかける (to inquire to/of someone): This is the most common pattern. The particle に (ni) indicates the person or entity to whom the question is directed.
生徒が先生に将来の夢について問いかけた。
*Hint: The student asked the teacher about their future dreams.*
彼は自分自身にその意味を問いかけた。
*Hint: He asked himself the meaning of it.*
- 〜と 問いかける (to ask, quoting a question): While less common than 〜に, you might see 〜と used when quoting the specific question being asked.
「なぜですか？」と彼は私に問いかけた。
*Hint: "Why?" he asked me.*
§ Nuances and Contexts
問いかける can also carry a sense of seriousness or profundity. It's often used in situations where the question is important, challenging, or philosophical.
社会に倫理的な問題を問いかける。
*Hint: To pose ethical questions to society.*
You'll also hear it in contexts where someone is reflecting or questioning themselves.
彼は自分の行動の正しさを心の中で問いかけた。
*Hint: He questioned the correctness of his actions in his heart.*
How Formal Is It?
"先生に質問を尋ねた。(I asked the teacher a question.)"
"私は彼にいくつか質問をしました。(I asked him some questions.)"
"ちょっと聞いていい？(Can I ask something quickly?)"
"お母さんにきいてみる。(I'll ask Mom.)"
"ねぇ、最近どう？何か面白いことあった？聞かせて！(Hey, how's it going recently? Anything interesting happen? Tell me!)"
उच्चारण मार्गदर्शिका
- pronouncing the 'oi' as a long 'o' sound
- misplacing the stress on a different syllable
कठिनाई स्तर
short kanji, common reading
short kanji, common strokes
straightforward pronunciation
clear syllables
आगे क्या सीखें
पूर्वापेक्षाएँ
आगे सीखें
उन्नत
स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण
先生に質問を問いかける。
Ask a question to the teacher.
彼は私に真意を問いかけた。
He asked me for the true meaning/intention.
子供は好奇心旺盛に親に問いかけた。
The child, full of curiosity, questioned their parent.
彼女は彼の将来について問いかけた。
She asked him about his future.
会議で意見を問いかける。
Inquire about opinions at the meeting.
なぜそうなったのか、自分に問いかけた。
I asked myself why it turned out that way.
新しいプロジェクトについて同僚に問いかけた。
I inquired of my colleague about the new project.
お客様は商品の詳細について店員に問いかけた。
The customer asked the store clerk about the product details.
शब्द परिवार
संज्ञा
इसे कैसे इस्तेमाल करें
When you want to express asking a question to someone, the verb 問いかける (toikakeru) is a good choice. It implies a direct action of posing a question. It can be used in various contexts, from formal interviews to casual conversations. Think of it as a slightly more active and deliberate way of asking compared to just 聞く (kiku), which can also mean 'to ask' but often implies 'to hear' or 'to listen'. For example, you might 問いかける a question to a teacher, a stranger for directions, or even yourself when pondering something.
A common mistake is to overuse 聞く (kiku) when the intention is clearly to pose a question. While 聞く can sometimes mean 'to ask,' 問いかける specifically emphasizes the act of questioning. Another mistake is forgetting the particle that often accompanies 問いかける. You typically
याद करें
स्मृति सहायक
Think of '問い' (toi) sounding a bit like 'toy'. You might 'throw a toy' of a question 'kakeru' (かける) meaning to hang or throw. So, you're 'throwing a question out there'.
दृश्य संबंध
Imagine a person standing on a stage, holding a microphone, and 'throwing' their voice out to the audience, 'asking' them a question. The microphone cable hangs down (かける).
Word Web
चैलेंज
Try to form three unique sentences using '問いかける' in different contexts. For example, asking a direct question, inquiring about a situation, or even an internal question. Share them with a language partner for feedback!
खुद को परखो 18 सवाल
You want to ask your friend about their weekend plans. Write a simple sentence in Japanese.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
週末の予定を友達に問いかけます。
You are at a store and want to ask the clerk where the milk is. Write a simple sentence in Japanese.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
店員さんに牛乳がどこにあるか問いかけます。
You don't understand something in class and want to ask your teacher a question. Write a simple sentence in Japanese.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
先生に質問を問いかけます。
What did Tanaka-san do?
Read this passage:
田中さんは新しい本について友達に問いかけました。
What did Tanaka-san do?
「問いかける」 means to ask a question or inquire. So, Tanaka-san inquired about a new book.
「問いかける」 means to ask a question or inquire. So, Tanaka-san inquired about a new book.
What does the speaker do when they don't know something?
Read this passage:
私は知らないことを先生に問いかけます。
What does the speaker do when they don't know something?
「問いかける」 means to ask a question or inquire. When the speaker doesn't know something, they inquire with the teacher.
「問いかける」 means to ask a question or inquire. When the speaker doesn't know something, they inquire with the teacher.
What did the child do to their mother?
Read this passage:
子供は母親に「これは何？」と問いかけました。
What did the child do to their mother?
「問いかける」 means to ask a question. The child asked their mother 'What is this?'.
「問いかける」 means to ask a question. The child asked their mother 'What is this?'.
先生に質問を___。
「問いかける」は「質問をする」というニュアンスで使われます。
彼は私に真剣な目で___。
「問いかける」は、相手に質問や疑問を投げかけるときに使います。
その子は母親に「なぜ？」と___。
子供が素朴な疑問を投げかける場面に合います。
会議で意見を___。
会議で自分の意見や質問を提示する際に使います。
彼は未来について自分自身に___。
自分自身に疑問を投げかける場合にも「問いかける」を使います。
その記者は首相に鋭い質問を___。
記者などが公式の場で質問をする際に適しています。
会議で新しい提案について____。
In a formal setting like a meeting, '問いかけました' (asked) is the most appropriate and polite past tense form.
彼の意見に疑問を抱き、直接彼に____。
The context implies a past action of directly asking him, making '問いかけた' (asked) the correct choice.
不明な点があれば、遠慮なく先生に____ください。
'問いかけてください' (please ask) is a polite request to ask questions.
「問いかける」は、相手に質問を投げかける行為を指す。
This statement is true. '問いかける' specifically means to ask a question or inquire.
「問いかける」は、返答を必要としない独り言にも使われる。
This statement is false. '問いかける' implies seeking an answer or response from someone, not just talking to oneself.
上司に対して意見を求める場合、「問いかける」は適切な表現である。
This statement is true. It is appropriate to use '問いかける' when asking for an opinion or clarification from a superior.
/ 18 correct
Perfect score!
संबंधित सामग्री
यह शब्द अन्य भाषाओं में
general के और शब्द
いくつか
B1An unspecified small number of things; some, a few.
ちょっと
A2A little; a moment; a bit. Small amount or short time.
すこし
A2A little; a few.
さっき
A2A little while ago; a short time past.
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2About, concerning; indicates topic.
〜について
B1About, concerning; on the subject of.
～ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.
