問い合わせ

• Reading: といあわせ
• Romaji: toiawase
• Kanji breakdown: 問 (mon/to) — question, inquire; 合 (go/a) — combine, join
• Pronunciation: /to.i.a.wa.se/

Meaning

An inquiry; an enquiry; a query or request for information directed to a company, institution, or individual.

A noun derived from the verb 問い合わせる (to inquire, to make an enquiry). Extremely common in customer service, business correspondence, and official communications. The phrase お問い合わせ (with the honorific お-) is the standard polite form seen on websites and official materials. Unlike 質問 (a question in a conversation), 問い合わせ implies a formal or semi-formal request for information from an external party.

Examples

1. 製品の保証についてお問い合わせください。 Please make an enquiry regarding the product warranty.
2. 問い合わせの件数が増えたため、回答に時間がかかっております。 As the number of enquiries has increased, it is taking longer to respond.
3. 担当者に問い合わせたところ、在庫はまだあると確認できた。 Upon enquiring with the person in charge, I was able to confirm that stock was still available.

Usage Guide

Context: customer service, business correspondence, official communications

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 問い (toi — question, inquiry) and 合わせ (awase — combining, joining). The compound conveys the idea of directing one's question toward the other party for a response.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal