问题 (wèntí) — question / problem

HSK 1 | noun | question, problem, issue

问题 (wèntí)

A noun with two important uses. It means both "question" (something you ask) and "problem" (something that needs solving). Context makes the meaning clear. In a classroom, 有问题吗 means "any questions?" In daily life, 有问题 means "there is a problem."

Meanings

  1. [noun] Question, inquiry.
  2. [noun] Problem, issue, difficulty.

Example Sentences

老师,我有一个问题。 Lǎoshī, wǒ yǒu yīgè wèntí. Teacher, I have a question.

这道题的问题在哪里? Zhè dào tí de wèntí zài nǎlǐ? Where is the problem with this exercise?

没问题,我可以帮你。 Méi wèntí, wǒ kěyǐ bāng nǐ. No problem, I can help you.

这个问题很难回答。 Zhège wèntí hěn nán huídá. This question is very hard to answer.

Collocations

Collocation Meaning
有问题 (yǒu wèntí) have a question / there is a problem
没问题 (méi wèntí) no problem
回答问题 (huídá wèntí) answer a question
问问题 (wèn wèntí) ask a question
解决问题 (jiějué wèntí) solve a problem
出问题 (chū wèntí) have a problem arise

Memory Hook

问 means "ask" and 题 means "topic/subject." A 问题 is a topic you ask about, but also a topic that demands resolution. Both "question" and "problem" live in the same word.