問
question · ask · problem
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of gate and mouth. Knocking on gate to ask.
Symbolism
Question, problem, visit. Represents inquiry and exploration.
Component Breakdown
surround from above: gate + mouth
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
一問一答
いちもんいっとう
answering question by question
問答無用
もんどうむよう
there being no use in arguing (about it); not up for discussion
自問自答
じもんじとう
answering one's own question; wondering to oneself; soliloquizing
愚問愚答
ぐもんぐとう
silly questions and silly answers; silly dialogue
問答無益
もんどうむえき
there being no use in arguing (about it); not up for discussion
蒟蒻問答
こんにゃくもんどう
irrelevant and incoherent dialogue; meaningless parlor debate; dialogue at cross purposes
外題学問
げだいがくもん
putting on a knowing air when one only knows the title of the book (play, etc.); pretending to understand the nature of something when one only knows its name
Poetry
しのぶれど 色に出でにけり わが恋は 物や思ふと 人の問ふまで
I hid it, and yet it has shown in my face; my love, until people ask me what is on my mind.
Anime & Manga
問題児たちが異世界から来るそうですよ?
Problem Children Are Coming From Another World, Aren't They?
A well-known work with 問 in its Japanese title.
この美術部には問題がある!
This Art Club Has a Problem!
A well-known work with 問 in its Japanese title.
姫様“拷問”の時間です
'Tis Time for "Torture," Princess
A well-known work with 問 in its Japanese title.
Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 問 mean in Japanese?
問 means question, ask, problem.
How do you read 問?
On'yomi: モン (MON). Kun'yomi: と.う、と.い、とん (tou, toi, ton).
How many strokes does 問 have?
問 has 11 strokes. Its radical is 口 (mouth).
Is 問 a good kanji for a tattoo?
問 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means question, ask, problem. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.