问路
wèn lù · to ask for directions
我想问路。
I want to ask for directions.
Chinese character · HSK 1
问 (wèn) — “to ask”
A visually intuitive compound: a mouth (口) placed right at a door (门), representing someone calling out to ask a question.
Memory cue
Stand at the door (门) and open your mouth (口) to ASK if anyone is home.
Common ways to use 问
Across this set, 问 is read wèn: it directly expresses asking in basic words, forms a polite opener, and becomes less literal in two common words.
问题
wèn tí · a question
这个问题很简单。
This question is very simple.
请问
qǐng wèn · excuse me; may I ask...?
请问，地铁站在哪儿？
Excuse me, where is the subway station?
Usage note: Use this polite opener before asking a stranger for information.
学问
xué wèn · knowledge or learning
他是个很有学问的人。
He is a very knowledgeable person.
Usage note: Learn 学问 as a noun, not as the action “study and ask.”
访问
fǎng wèn · to visit
总统正在访问中国。
The president is visiting China.
Usage note: Learn 访问 as a whole; it is a relatively formal word for visiting a person or place.
Inside the character
- 门 (gate / door) — meaning component. A double-leaf gate — often marks doors, entrances, or thresholds.
- 口 (mouth) — meaning component. Often marks speaking, eating, or any opening.
Where 问 comes from
Historically a phono-semantic compound (問) where 門 (door) provided the phonetic hint and context, and 口 (mouth) provided the meaning of asking. In simplified Chinese (问), it functions perfectly as a semantic compound for learners.
Don’t mix up 问
These characters are close enough in shape to misread at speed. Telling them apart is a matter of spotting the one component that differs.
- 间 (jiān / jiàn, between / space) — Both contain 门 — the difference is 口 in 问 versus 日 in 间.
- 向 (xiàng, towards / direction) — Both contain 口 — the difference is 门 in 问 versus 冂 in 向.
- 门 (mén, door / gate) — Both contain 门 — the rest of the character is what tells them apart.
- 闻 (wén, to hear / to smell) — Both contain 门 — the difference is 口 in 问 versus 耳 in 闻.
- 闭 (bì, to close / to shut) — Both contain 门 — the difference is 口 in 问 versus 才 in 闭.
- 闪 (shǎn, flash / dodge) — Both contain 门 — the difference is 口 in 问 versus 人 in 闪.
Learn 问 the visual way. InkSeal pairs every HSK 1–6
character with an illustration like this one, Common-use words and sentences,
component breakdowns, etymology, and recall-first review. The first 100
characters are free.
More characters: 麦 (mài, wheat) · 两 (liǎng, two / pair) · 串 (chuàn, to string together / skewer) — or browse the full character library.