尋ねる・訊ねる|たずねるtazuneru[3]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
尋ねる尋ねる is the more common of the two written forms. For beginner learners, use it as the default spelling.
訊ねる訊ねる is a less common written form of the same word; learners may encounter it, but should generally choose 尋ねる.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto ask; to enquire; to inquire
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto search; to look for; to look into; to investigate
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 尋ねる（たずねる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 尋ねます（たずねます） |
| Negative (nai) | 尋ねない（たずねない） |
| polite (masen) | 尋ねません（たずねません） |
| classical zu / nu | 尋ねず・尋ねぬ（たずねず・たずねぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 尋ねた（たずねた） |
| polite (mashita) | 尋ねました（たずねました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 尋ねなかった（たずねなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 尋ねませんでした（たずねませんでした） |
| Te form | 尋ねて（たずねて） |
| Potential | 尋ねられる（たずねられる） |
| Passive | 尋ねられる（たずねられる） |
| Causative | 尋ねさせる（たずねさせる） |
| Causative passive | 尋ねさせられる（たずねさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 尋ねれば（たずねれば） |
| tara | 尋ねたら（たずねたら） |
| Volitional | 尋ねよう（たずねよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 尋ねましょう（たずねましょう） |
| Imperative | 尋ねろ（たずねろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym問いかけるといかけるNeutralTo put a question to someone, or to raise an issue before society at large, as in 「読者に問いかける」; often used when the aim is to prompt reflection.
- Synonym問い合わせるといあわせるNeutralTo contact someone to ask and confirm something; used in both speech and writing, as in 「窓口に問い合わせる」. The other party need not be an organization.
- Synonym問うとうWrittenWritten style: to ask, or to pursue blame and responsibility, as in 「真意を問う」 and 「罪に問う」.
- Synonym訊くきくNeutralSame sound and meaning as 「聞く」; writing it 「訊く」 highlights the asking sense. The difference is purely one of kanji.
- Synonym問いただすといただすWrittenWritten style: to question someone closely to get at the truth, with an interrogating tone, as in 「責任を問いただす」.
- SynonymただすWrittenWritten style: to ask someone in order to confirm something, as in 「真偽を質す」.
- Synonym聞き合わせるききあわせるWrittenWritten style: to make inquiries in several places and compare them to verify, as in 「値段を聞き合わせる」.
- Related聞くきくNeutralThe everyday word for asking, and for hearing or listening too, as in 「道を聞く」. More colloquial than 「尋ねる」, which is the more formal option.
- Related質問しつもんNeutralA question, or the act of asking one, as in 「質問する」; the natural word in classrooms and meetings.
- Related伺ううかがうFormalHumble language: to ask or consult someone while elevating them, as in 「ご意見を伺う」. 「尋ねる」 itself carries no honorific sense.
- Antonym答えるこたえるNeutralThe counterpart of 「尋ねる」: to answer or reply, as in 「質問に答える」.
- Antonym応えるこたえるNeutralTo respond to a call or appeal, as in 「呼びかけに応える」; in the asking-and-responding pair it stands opposite 「尋ねる」.
For everyday asking, 「聞く」 is the usual choice; 「尋ねる」 sounds more formal. Use 「質問」 in class or meetings, 「問い合わせる」 to contact and confirm, 「問いただす」 to press someone, and 「伺う」 as humble language. The opposite of asking is 「答える」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
