If you’ve been studying Japanese for a while, you’ve probably noticed that one English word can have several Japanese translations. One of the best examples is the word “ask.”

In English, we use ask for almost everything:

• Ask a question.
• Ask for help.
• Ask someone to do something.
• Ask for permission.
• Ask for directions.

In Japanese, however, the verb changes depending on what you’re asking for. Choosing the right word will make your Japanese sound much more natural.

Let’s break it down.

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1. Are You Asking a Question?

Use 聞く（きく）, 質問する（しつもんする）, or 尋ねる（たずねる）.

聞く（きく）

The most common way to ask someone a question.

Examples

• 先生せんせいに聞きく。
  Ask the teacher.
• 駅えきへの行いき方かたを聞ききました。
  I asked how to get to the station.

Remember: 聞きく also means to listen or to hear. The meaning depends on the context.

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質問する（しつもんする）

Use this when you’re literally asking a question.

Examples

• 質問しつもんしてもいいですか。
  May I ask a question?
• 先生せんせいに質問しつもんしました。
  I asked the teacher a question.

You’ll hear this often in schools, meetings, and presentations.

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尋ねる（たずねる）

A more formal way to say “to inquire.”

It’s common in writing, news, interviews, and polite conversations.

Example

• 名前なまえを尋たずねました。
  I asked their name.
• 理由りゆうを尋たずねました。
  I asked the reason.

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2. Are You Asking Someone to Do Something?

Use 頼む（たのむ） or お願いする（おねがいする）.

頼む（たのむ）

Use this when you’re asking someone for a favor.

Examples

• 友達ともだちに手伝てつだってと頼たのみました。
  I asked my friend to help me.
• 仕事しごとを頼たのまれました。
  I was asked to do a job.

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お願いする（おねがいする）

This is the polite and very common way to make a request.

You’ll hear it every day in Japan.

Examples

• 少すこし待まってくださいとお願ねがいしました。
  I politely asked them to wait a moment.
• 写真しゃしんをお願ねがいできますか。
  Could you take a photo, please?

Restaurants, shops, and customer service staff also use お願ねがいします frequently.

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3. Are You Making a Formal or Business Request?

Use 依頼する（いらいする） or 求める（もとめる）.

依頼する（いらいする）

This means to formally request someone to perform a task or service.

Examples

• デザインを依頼いらいしました。
  I requested a design.
• 弁護士べんごしに依頼いらいする。
  Hire / request a lawyer’s services.

You’ll often see this in business emails and professional settings.

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求める（もとめる）

This means to seek or to request, especially in formal situations.

Examples

• 政府せいふは協力きょうりょくを求もとめました。
  The government requested cooperation.
• 意見いけんを求もとめる。
  Seek opinions.

This word is common in news articles and official announcements.

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Quick Guide

If you want to…	Use
Ask a question	聞く（きく）
Ask a question (explicitly)	質問する（しつもんする）
Inquire politely	尋ねる（たずねる）
Ask for a favor	頼む（たのむ）
Make a polite request	お願いする（おねがいする）
Make a formal request	依頼する（いらいする）
Seek or request formally	求める（もとめる）

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Common Mistake

Many learners use 聞きく every time they want to say “ask.”

For example:

❌ 友達ともだちに手伝てつだってと聞ききました。

Although people may understand what you mean, it’s not natural because you’re not asking a question—you’re asking for a favor.

Instead, say:

✅ 友達ともだちに手伝てつだってと頼たのみました。

Choosing the correct verb makes your Japanese sound much more fluent.

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Final Thoughts

Instead of translating “ask” directly, think about what you’re actually asking for.

• Information? → 聞きく・質問しつもんする・尋たずねる
• A favor? → 頼たのむ・お願ねがいする
• A professional request? → 依頼いらいする・求もとめる

Once you start choosing verbs based on the situation rather than the English word, you’ll sound much more natural in Japanese.

The next time you want to say “ask,” pause for a second and ask yourself:

Am I asking a question, asking for help, or making a request?

The answer will help you choose the right Japanese word every time.

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