問います（といます、toimasu）
- to ask

The Japanese verb 問います (toimasu) means "to ask," "to question," or "to inquire." It implies a formal or polite way of asking something. It generally suggests a direct question or a request for information. It can be used in various contexts, such as seeking clarification, making inquiries, or posing questions in a formal setting. The meaning of 問います is closely related to the act of seeking answers or obtaining information from someone or something. In essence, it revolves around the process of posing questions to gain understanding.

⚫︎質問を問います。 Translation: I will ask a question. ⚫︎先生に問います。 Translation: I will ask the teacher. ⚫︎この件について問います。 Translation: I will inquire about this matter.

⚫︎問います is typically used in formal or polite situations. ⚫︎You would use it when you are talking to someone you respect, such as a teacher, a superior at work, or a stranger you are trying to be polite to. ⚫︎It is also suitable for written communication such as emails or letters. ⚫︎When asking a question, you can use the particle に after a person or institution you are asking. For example, 先生に問います。 ⚫︎You can also use the particle について to indicate what you are asking about, for example, この件について問います。

⚫︎The verb 問います is written in hiragana as といます。 ⚫︎The kanji form is 問います. ⚫︎The verb stem is 問 (to) and the suffix is います (imasu), which indicates polite present tense. ⚫︎Variations in okurigana (the suffix hiragana) are generally consistent, though the verb can be conjugated to different tenses and politeness levels like 問います (polite present), 問いました (polite past), 問いて (te-form, used to connect sentences), 問いて下さい (please ask), etc. The stem 問 (to) usually remains the same.

⚫︎聞きます (kikimasu): to ask (more general term, can be informal) ⚫︎尋ねます (tazunemasu): to ask, to inquire (formal, and sometimes implies searching or seeking something) ⚫︎質問します (shitsumon shimasu): to question; to ask (formal and based on the noun "question")

⚫︎答えます (kotaemasu): to answer. ⚫︎教えます (oshiemasu): to teach.

試験について何か問いたいことがあれば、いつでも問いてください。 ・Translation: If you have anything you want to ask about the exam, please feel free to ask anytime. ・Explanation: This sentence utilizes the -te form of 問います to create "please ask." It emphasizes that questions are welcome.

面接官は、私の職務経歴についていくつか問いました。 ・Translation: The interviewer asked several questions about my work history. ・Explanation: This sentence uses the past tense of 問います (問いました) to describe a past event where questions were asked.

The kanji 問 (to) is the original character, and it means "to ask," "to question," or "to inquire." The suffix います (imasu) is a polite verb ending. The etymology is directly related to the action of questioning or seeking information.