质问

• Pinyin: zhì wèn
• Hanzi breakdown: 质 = confront; 问 = 门 + 口 (mouth at door — asking)

Meaning

To question closely; to interrogate; to challenge. Demanding an explanation in a confrontational manner.

Implies a challenging, sometimes hostile tone. Used when holding someone accountable: 质问原因 (demand an explanation), 当面质问 (confront and question). Stronger and more aggressive than 询问 or 提问.

Examples

1. 记者在发布会上质问官员为何隐瞒事实真相。 At the press conference, reporters pressed the official on why the truth had been concealed.
2. 她当面质问丈夫关于那笔不明开支的去向。 She confronted her husband face-to-face about where that unexplained expense went.
3. 股东们质问管理层为何公司业绩持续下滑。 Shareholders challenged management on why the company’s performance kept declining.

Usage Guide

Context: journalism, confrontation, accountability

Tone: aggressive

Do Say

• 面对公众的质问，他哑口无言无法自圆其说。(Facing the public's questioning, he was speechless and unable to justify himself.)
• 员工有权质问公司在裁员问题上的不透明做法。(Employees have the right to question the company's lack of transparency on layoffs.)

Don't Say

• 我质问了老师这道题怎么做 — too confrontational; use 请教 or 询问 for respectful questions to a teacher

Origin & History

质 (confront/challenge) + 问 (ask)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal