请问

• Pinyin: qǐng wèn
• Hanzi breakdown: 请 = 讠(speech) + 青 (phonetic); 问 = 门 (door) + 口 (mouth), meaning to ask

Meaning

May I ask; excuse me. A polite phrase used before asking a question.

One of the most commonly used polite openers in Chinese. Placed at the beginning of a question to sound courteous and respectful. Used with strangers, in customer service, and any situation where you need to ask for information.

Examples

1. 请问，这是哪里？ Excuse me, where is this?
2. 请问，现在几点了？ Excuse me, what time is it now?
3. 请问，你是王老师吗？ May I ask, are you Teacher Wang?

Usage Guide

Context: questions, social

Tone: polite

Do Say

• 请问，洗手间在哪里？(Excuse me, where is the restroom?)
• 请问，你叫什么名字？(May I ask, what is your name?)

Don't Say

• 请问你！(Don't use 请问 as a command directed at someone — it's used before your own question, not to demand an answer)

Origin & History

A combination of 请 (please) and 问 (to ask), literally 'please ask' — meaning 'please allow me to ask.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal