请问 (qǐngwèn) — excuse me; may I ask

请问 (qǐngwèn)

请问 means "excuse me" or "may I ask." It is a polite phrase used at the beginning of a question, especially when addressing a stranger or in a formal context.

Meanings

1. [phrase] Excuse me; may I ask; pardon me for asking (polite opener before a question).

Example Sentences

请问，洗手间在哪里？ Qǐngwèn, xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ? Excuse me, where is the restroom?

请问，你叫什么名字？ Qǐngwèn, nǐ jiào shénme míngzì? May I ask your name?

请问，去火车站怎么走？ Qǐngwèn, qù huǒchēzhàn zěnme zǒu? Excuse me, how do I get to the train station?

请问，这里是售票处吗？ Qǐngwèn, zhèlǐ shì shòupiào chù ma? May I ask, is this the ticket office?

Usage Notes

请问 is composed of 请 (please; politely request) + 问 (to ask). It always appears at the start of a sentence and signals that what follows is a genuine, polite inquiry. It is especially useful when approaching a stranger. Unlike English "excuse me," which also draws attention or apologizes for an interruption, 请问 is specifically tied to asking a question — it is not used to get past someone physically (for that, use 借过 or 不好意思). It raises the politeness level of any question significantly.

Collocations or Common Phrases

Memory Hook

请 (please) + 问 (ask) — you are politely requesting permission to ask before you even ask the question.