ε
JLPT N4
Ask, question
Readings
Onβyomi: γ’γ³ (mon)
Kunβyomi: γ¨(γ) (to(u))
γ¨γ»γ (tou) β to ask, to inquire
γ¨γ»γ (toi) β question, inquiry
γ¨γ (ton) β rarely used reading (classical form)
Structure
Composition:
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Detailed Explanation
Vocabulary
θ³ͺε
γγ€γγ
question
ει‘
γγγ γ
problem
εγ
γ¨γ
ask
εεγ
γ¨γγγγ
inquiry
ηε
γγγ
doubt
Example Sentences
ε
ηγ«θ³ͺεγγΎγγ
γγγγ γ« γγ€γγ γγΎγγ
I ask the teacher a question.
ει‘γ解γγΎγγ
γγγ γ γ γ¨γγΎγγ
I solve a problem.
Cultural Note
π¬ In Japanese culture, asking questions politely is very important and often softened using indirect phrases.
Instead of asking directly like βWhy?β, Japanese people might say:
β’ γγγΏγΎγγγγγθγγγ¦γγγγγγ§γγγγγγ
(Excuse me, may I ask...)
The kanji ε appears in many polite and formal words, showing the deep cultural value of respectful inquiry and communication.
In business or government contexts, youβll often see words like:
β’ γεγεγγ (γ¨γγγγ) β official βinquiryβ
β’ θ³ͺεδΊι (γγ€γγγγγ) β βquestion itemsβ (in forms or interviews)
Instead of asking directly like βWhy?β, Japanese people might say:
β’ γγγΏγΎγγγγγθγγγ¦γγγγγγ§γγγγγγ
(Excuse me, may I ask...)
The kanji ε appears in many polite and formal words, showing the deep cultural value of respectful inquiry and communication.
In business or government contexts, youβll often see words like:
β’ γεγεγγ (γ¨γγγγ) β official βinquiryβ
β’ θ³ͺεδΊι (γγ€γγγγγ) β βquestion itemsβ (in forms or interviews)