How to say "question" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 問題もんだいnounThe question on a test or exercise, to be answered or solved; also 'problem' in the sense of an issue. Not the word for a question you ask someone.あなたはどのようにしてその問題を解いたのですか。↗How did you solve the problem?
- 質問しつもんsuru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectiveA question you put to someone; also an inquiry. When you want to ask something — 'I have a question' — this is the word.
- 問いといnounA question or query; close to 質問, and often the word for a question in the abstract — something posed to be answered or pondered.
- 疑問ぎもんnoun, na-adjective'Question' only in the sense of a doubt — something you are unsure about or find questionable. It is not a question you ask someone; for that use 質問.
- 質疑しつぎnoun, suru verbReally 'questioning' — questions raised in a discussion or exchange — rather than one question you ask; seldom the word you want for an ordinary 'question'.
Use 問題 for test questions and problems, 質問 for a question you ask someone, 「問い」 for a question or query as such, 疑問 for question-as-doubt, and 質疑 for questioning in an exchange.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 問題もんだいquestion (e.g. on a test)
- 質問しつもんquestion
- 問いといquestion
- 疑問ぎもんdoubt
- 質疑しつぎquestion
- 疑いうたがいdoubt
- 不審ふしんdoubt
- 諮問しもんconsultation
- クエスチョンquestion
- 尋ねたずねquestion
- 諮詢しじゅんquestion
- 試問しもんinterview
- 見咎めるみとがめるto find fault with
- 疑りうたぐりdoubt
- どうかと思うどうかとおもうto think (something) is improper
- お尋ねおたずねinquiry
- ただすto ask (about)
- 問いかけといかけquery
- 設問せつもんquestion
- 題だいproblem (on a test)
- 伺いうかがいinquiry
- 咎めるとがめるto question (a suspect)
- 課題かだいproblem (that needs solving)
- 設題せつだいquestion
- お伺いおうかがいinquiry
- 問うとうto call into question
- 片かたside
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
