我有一个问题
wǒ yǒu yí gè wèntí
In Chinese, 'I have a question' is said as 我有一个问题 (wǒ yǒu yí gè wèntí).
The phrase is used to state that you possess a question. Note that the word 问题 can mean either a question that requires an answer or a problem/difficulty that needs to be solved.
Meaning: I have a question (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 我 (I), 有 (have), 一个 (one/a) and 问题 (question/problem).
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual spoken Chinese, the pronoun 我 (I) and the number 一 (one) are often omitted, leaving just 有个问题.
How do you pronounce it?
wǒ yǒu yí gè wèntí
Did you know?
- While 问题 means 'question', using it to describe a person as 有问题 (having a problem) is a common euphemism for saying someone is mentally unstable or acting strange.
- Depending on the tone and context, saying 你有什么问题? (do you have any questions?) can be interpreted as a challenge or a confrontation, meaning 'do you have a problem with me?'
- In many professional settings, starting with 我有一个问题 can sound overly blunt or demanding. To sound more polite, speakers often add the word 请问 (may I ask) at the beginning of the sentence.
Examples in context
- 我有一个问题得问你。I have a question I need to ask you.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase 我有一个问题.Tatoeba #4444836 by shanghainese, translation #3142896 by CK
- 请问，我有一个问题。您能解释一下这个概念吗？May I ask? I have a question. Can you explain this concept?
- 我有个问题，你喜欢什么类型的电影？I have a question, what genre of movies do you like?
- 能问个问题吗？你觉得这个电视节目怎么样？Can I ask a question? What do you think of this TV show?
- 我有一个问题。Wǒ yǒu yīgè wèntí.I have a question.
- 老师，我有一个问题。Lǎoshī, wǒ yǒu yīgè wèntí.Teacher, I have a question.
Example conversation
Wei is asking Yuting for help with homework.
- 伟 Wei雨婷，我有一个问题。Yǔtíng, wǒ yǒu yīgè wèntí.Yuting, I have a question.
- 雨婷 Yuting你说吧，是什么？Nǐ shuō ba, shì shénme?Go ahead, what is it?
- 伟 Wei这道题怎么做？Zhè dào tí zěnme zuò?How do you do this problem?
- 雨婷 Yuting让我看看。Ràng wǒ kànkan.Let me see.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
