1.
to ask, to question
To seek an answer or information.
理由を問う。
To ask the reason.
是非を問う。
To question the rights and wrongs.
年齢を問わず参加できる。
Anyone can participate regardless of age.
～を問わず means 'regardless of ~.'
2.
to hold responsible
To question someone's responsibility.
責任を問う。
To hold someone responsible.
事故の原因を問われた。
I was questioned about the cause of the accident.
裁判で罪を問われる。
To be held accountable for a crime in court.
問う is a formal transitive verb meaning to question, inquire, or hold accountable. More literary than 聞く.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
- Takes を particle: Xを問う
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 理由を問う: to ask the reason
- 責任を問う: to hold someone responsible
- 是非を問う: to question right and wrong
- ～を問わず: regardless of ~
COMPOUNDS:
- 問い合わせる: to inquire (at a service desk)
- 問い合わせ: inquiry
REGISTER:
Formal and often used in written or official contexts. For casual questions, use 聞く or 尋ねる.