質問（しつもん、shitsumon）
- question

The Japanese word 質問, pronounced しつもん (shitsumon), primarily means "question," "inquiry," or "query." It refers to the act of asking for information or seeking clarification on a particular subject. It can also refer to the question itself, the item being asked. The term implies seeking answers or understanding. It’s a fundamental word used frequently in various contexts, from everyday conversations to formal settings like classrooms and business meetings.

⚫︎何か質問はありますか？ Translation: Do you have any questions? ⚫︎質問に答えてください。 Translation: Please answer the question. ⚫︎質問の時間です。 Translation: It's question time.

⚫︎You use 質問 when you want to ask someone something or when you're referring to the question being asked. ⚫︎It is applicable in any situation where information is needed or clarification is sought. ⚫︎You can use this in formal and informal situations, but the level of politeness can be adjusted through the use of more polite verb forms or honorifics.

⚫︎The word 質問 is typically written using the kanji 質問. ⚫︎The reading is しつもん (shitsumon). ⚫︎It is sometimes written with just hiragana しつもん for learners. ⚫︎There are no significant variations in the okurigana (the suffix hiragana).

⚫︎問い (Toi): A question or query. Often used in a more literary or philosophical context. ⚫︎疑問 (Gimon): A question or doubt. Often used when expressing a sense of uncertainty or skepticism. ⚫︎問い合わせ (Toiawase): Inquiry, an inquiry, or an inquiry (usually used for specific inquiries).

⚫︎答え (Kotae): Answer, response. ⚫︎回答 (Kaitō): Answer, reply.

先生に質問をしました。 ・Translation: I asked the teacher a question. ・Explanation: This sentence demonstrates the direct use of 質問 to describe the act of asking a question to a teacher.

会議で、多くの質問が出ました。 ・Translation: Many questions came up at the meeting. ・Explanation: Here, 質問 is used to refer to the questions themselves that arose during a meeting.

The word 質問 is a compound word formed from two kanji. The first character 質 (shitsu) refers to "to ask" or "to question." The second character 問 (mon) also means "question" or "to ask." Therefore, it literally means "to question" or "to ask questions".