問い

• Reading: とい
• Romaji: toi
• Kanji breakdown: 問 (mon/to) — ask, question, inquire
• Pronunciation: /to.i/

Meaning

Question; query; inquiry. A somewhat formal word for a question.

A noun form of the verb 問う (tou, to ask/question). More literary and formal than 質問 (shitsumon). Used in academic and philosophical contexts: 問いを立てる (toi wo tateru, to pose a question), 問いかける (toikakeru, to address a question to someone). Also appears in 問い合わせ (toiawase, inquiry/contact), one of the most common business terms.

Examples

1. 先生が難しい問いを出したので誰も答えられなかった。 The teacher asked a difficult question, so nobody could answer it.
2. この問いに対する答えはまだ見つかっていない。 An answer to this question hasn't been found yet.
3. 人生の意味という問いは誰もが一度は考える。 The question of the meaning of life is something everyone thinks about at least once.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, philosophy, business

Tone: intellectual

Origin & History

Noun form of the verb 問う (tou, to question). The kanji 問 shows a mouth (口) inside a gate (門) — asking a question at the gate, seeking entry through inquiry.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated