to politely inquire; may I ask
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to politely inquire; to venture to ask
formalA formal and respectful way to start a question. Often used when speaking to a stranger, elder, or superior.
Bù不
gǎn敢
dòng动
wèn问
，
nín您
shì是
cóng从
Běi北
jīng京
lái来
de的
ma吗
？
May I venture to ask, are you from Beijing?
Dòng动
wèn问
yī一
shēng声
，
tú图
shū书
guǎn馆
zěn怎
me么
zǒu走
？
Excuse me for asking, how do I get to the library?
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Mào冒
mèi昧
dòng动
wèn问
，
nín您
guì贵
xìng姓
？
May I be so bold as to ask for your surname?