질문
jilmun[t͡ɕiɭmun]
The Korean word for "question" is 질문 (jilmun).
질문 is the most common and versatile word used to mean "question" in Korean. You can use the phrase 질문이 있어요 to signal to a teacher or speaker that you have a question to ask.
Meaning: sentence, phrase or word (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 질문 refers specifically to a question asked to seek information, the word 물음 refers more generally to a query or the act of asking.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of "asking a question", the noun 질문 is often paired with the verb 하다 (to do) to form the phrase 질문을 하다.
How do you pronounce it?
jilmun
Did you know?
- Koreans sometimes use the phrase 질문 공세 to describe a 'question offensive', imagining a barrage of questions as a military attack.
- In a professional context, asking a 질문 can be seen as a challenge to authority, leading some speakers to use indirect language to soften the query.
- The word 질문 is a Sino-Korean word, meaning its roots are actually Chinese characters 質 (to inquire/matter) and 問 (to ask).
Examples in context
- 손 들고 질문해도 돼요.It's okay to raise your hand and ask a question.This sentence shows how to use 질문 when asking permission to pose a query.Tatoeba #8533616 by Eunhee, translation #8254586 by Hybrid
- 나는 네 질문에 답할 수 없어.I cannot answer your question.This sentence demonstrates using 질문 as the object of an inability to answer.Tatoeba #6688578 by rainbow4us, translation #252846 by CC
- 나는 당신의 질문에 답할 수 없어요.I can't answer your question.This sentence provides a polite version of the previous example using 질문.Tatoeba #6688577 by rainbow4us, translation #733380 by Eldad
- 선생님께 질문 좀 드릴게요.I have a question for the teacher.
- 상담사에게 문의하시기 바랍니다.Please direct your question to the customer service representative.
- 이거 언제 쓰는 건데?When do you use this?
- 아버지께서 몇 시에 도착하십니까?What time will your father arrive?
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minjun is asking Minji for help with his homework.
- 민준 Min-jun민지 씨, 질문 하나 해도 돼요?Minji ssi, jilmun hana haedo dwaeyo?Minji, can I ask one question?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 어떤 질문이에요?ne, eotteon jilmunieyo?Yes, what kind of question is it?
- 민준 Min-jun이 단어의 뜻이 궁금해요.i daneoui tteusi gunggeumhaeyo.I'm curious about the meaning of this word.
- 민지 Min-ji제가 도와줄게요.jega dowajulgeyo.I will help you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “question” translations and entries 질문, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 질문, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
