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道Nihongo Path

Word 2257 of 4449

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問う

とう

to ask; to inquire into; to charge (with a crime); (in the negative) to not matter

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Examples

  1. この男は窃盗罪に問われた。

    このおとこはせっとうざいにとわれた。

    This man was charged with theft.

  2. 経験の有無は問いません。

    けいけんのうむはといません。

    Experience is not required.

  3. 首相は解散して国民に信を問うた。

    しゅしょうはかいさんしてこくみんにしんをとうた。

    The prime minister dissolved the Diet and put his mandate to the people.

Common patterns

責任を問う
to hold someone responsible
罪に問われる
to be charged with a crime
〜を問わず
regardless of ...

Memory tip

Formal and written — for an everyday question use 聞く or 尋ねる. Three fixed uses carry most of its weight: 責任を問う, 罪に問われる, and the set pattern 〜を問わず / 〜は問いません seen in job ads.

Kanji in this word

Quick check

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What does 問う mean?