訊く|きくkiku[0]heiban (flat)
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Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto ask; to enquire; to query
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 訊く（きく） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 訊きます（ききます） |
| Negative (nai) | 訊かない（きかない） |
| polite (masen) | 訊きません（ききません） |
| classical zu / nu | 訊かず・訊かぬ（きかず・きかぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 訊いた（きいた） |
| polite (mashita) | 訊きました（ききました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 訊かなかった（きかなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 訊きませんでした（ききませんでした） |
| Te form | 訊いて（きいて） |
| Potential | 訊ける（きける） |
| Passive | 訊かれる（きかれる） |
| Causative | 訊かせる（きかせる） |
| Causative passive | 訊かせられる・訊かされる（きかせられる・きかされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 訊けば（きけば） |
| tara | 訊いたら（きいたら） |
| Volitional | 訊こう（きこう） |
| polite (mashou) | 訊きましょう（ききましょう） |
| Imperative | 訊け（きけ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym尋ねるたずねるNeutralAsks or inquires with a polite, slightly written feel; 「道を尋ねる」 sounds more courteous than 「道を訊く」.
- Synonym問うとうWrittenA word of written, formal prose for asking; it also means to hold someone accountable, as in 「責任を問う」, with a solemn tone.
- Synonym伺ううかがうFormalHumble language for 「聞く」 and 「訪ねる」; 「お話を伺う」 fits superiors, clients, or anyone you owe respect. Formal.
- Synonym問いかけるといかけるNeutralTo put a question to someone, and figuratively to throw a question out to society, as in 「社会に問いかける」, to provoke thought.
- SynonymただすWrittenA written-leaning word for asking to make sure; 「真意を質す」 stresses pressing until the point is clear.
- Related問い合わせるといあわせるNeutralTo ask an organization or person to check something, as in 「窓口に問い合わせる」; the focus is on making an inquiry.
- Related聞くきくNeutralThe everyday default writing, covering both hearing and asking; 「訊く」 is reserved for asking alone.
- Related質問しつもんNeutralA noun for putting a question; 「質問する」 works in any ordinary setting.
- Related問いただすといただすNeutralTo grill or press someone hard for the truth, as in 「厳しく問いただす」; far more forceful than a plain 「訊く」.
- Related聞き合わせるききあわせるNeutralTo make inquiries in several places to verify, as in 「評判を聞き合わせる」; the point is comparing what you hear.
- Antonym答えるこたえるNeutralThe antonym: to answer. 「質問に答える」 is the counterpart to asking with 「訊く」.
For asking, 「訊く」 marks the ask sense apart from listening, as in 「道を訊く」, but everyday writing is normally 「聞く」. Be polite with 「尋ねる」, humble with 「伺う」. Turn to 「問う」 in written prose or for 「責任を問う」, 「問いただす」 to grill someone, and 「問い合わせる」 for inquiries like 「窓口に問い合わせる」.
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
