Japanese symbol for “ask”

問う

とう

Romaji: tou

to ask; to inquire

In Japanese, ask is 問う, read とう (tou).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

v5u-s, vt to ask; to inquire
v5u-s, vt to blame (someone) for; to accuse of; to pursue (question of responsibility); to charge with
v5u-s, vt to care about; to regard as important
v5u-s, vt to call into question; to doubt; to question

Written forms: 問う、訪う. Readings: とう.

Kanji and stroke order

問

question, ask, problem

on: モン
kun: と.う、と.い、とん

11 strokes · JLPT 3

Other Japanese words for “ask”

Word	Reading	Meaning
頼む	たのむ tanomu	to request; to beg; to ask
尋ねる	たずねる tazuneru	to ask; to enquire; to inquire
誘う	さそう sasou	to invite; to ask (someone to do); to call (for)
乞う	こう kou	to beg; to ask; to request
聞く	きく kiku	to ask; to enquire; to query

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
問題	もんだい mondai	question (e.g. on a test); problem
質問	しつもん shitsumon	question; inquiry; enquiry
疑問	ぎもん gimon	doubt; question; suspicion
訪問	ほうもん houmon	call; visit
問い	とい toi	question; query