尋(たず)ねる

たずねる
verb (ichidan)
to ask, to inquire
1. to ask, to inquire
To ask a question or seek information from someone. More formal than 聞(き)く.
道(みち)を尋(たず)ねた。
I asked for directions.
先生(せんせい)に質問(しつもん)を尋(たず)ねる。
Ask the teacher a question.
に marks the person asked
名前(なまえ)を尋(たず)ねてもいいですか。
May I ask your name?
理由(りゆう)を尋(たず)ねたが、答(こた)えてくれなかった。
I asked for the reason, but they wouldn't answer.
受付(うけつけ)で会議室(かいぎしつ)の場所(ばしょ)を尋(たず)ねたら、丁寧(ていねい)に教(おし)えてくれた。
When I inquired about the meeting room location at reception, they kindly told me.
Longer example showing formal inquiry in a business context

TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive). Pattern: Xに Yを尋(たず)ねる (ask X about Y).

ASPECT: ている indicates ongoing or completed action. 尋(たず)ねている = 'is asking.'

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 道(みち)を尋(たず)ねる (ask for directions)
  • 名前(なまえ)を尋(たず)ねる (ask someone's name)
  • 意見(いけん)を尋(たず)ねる (ask for an opinion)

HOMOPHONE: Don't confuse with 訪(たず)ねる (to visit), which has the same reading but different kanji and meaning.

  • 尋(たず)ねる (尋): to ask, inquire
  • 訪(たず)ねる (訪): to visit

CONTRAST WITH 聞(き)く:

  • 聞(き)く: general 'ask' or 'listen' (neutral)
  • 尋(たず)ねる: 'inquire' (slightly more formal)

REGISTER: Slightly formal. 聞(き)く is more casual.

Related Words

See also: 訪(たず)ねる
core
Added 2026.1.8 21:01 · Revised 2026.3.6 9:35
01000/01175_tazuneru