Comparing "dating" and "wen"

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Both 打听 and 问 are both verbs that mean to ask about. Both can be used in informal and formal settings. A key difference between these two is that 打听 can only be used to ask about general conditions or inquires, whereas 问 can be used in this sense and also used to directly ask the person you are talking to a question.











B1HSK4ASV4567
打听 (dǎting) 问 (wèn)
Meaning to ask about to ask about, to ask, to send regards
Part of Speech verb verb
Formality flexible flexible


To say to ask about both 打听 and 问 can be used.

This is used when asking about general conditions or inquiries, think the English phrase “I would like to ask.”

Common Phrases

  • ~一下
  • ~~
  • ~消息

To directly ask the person you are talking to a question use 问.

Common Phrases

  • 问一个问题
  • 问你
  • 问老师

To say to send my regards to someone or to inquire after someone use 问

Think about the English phrase “say hi to (your family, a friend, etc.) for me”, this is essentially the same meaning.

Common Patterns

  • 向……(someone)问候
  • 向……(someone)问候