聞く vs 尋ねる
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 聞く
Listen to 尋ねる
| 聞く | 尋ねる |
|---|---|
ki-KU verb | たずねる (tazuneru) verb |
| to listen; to hear; to ask (a question) | to ask, to inquire (seek information formally or politely) |
How they differ
尋ねる specifically means to inquire or ask for information and carries a more formal or deliberate nuance than 聞く when used in the 'ask' sense; 聞く can be casual and ambiguous between 'hear' and 'ask'.
When to use each
When to use 聞く: Prefer 聞く for casual spoken questions or when the meaning (hear vs ask) is clear from context.
When to use 尋ねる: Prefer 尋ねる for polite or formal inquiries (e.g., asking for directions, official questions, or in written requests).
Side-by-side examples
- 駅で道を聞いた。
(I asked for directions at the station.) - 地図を見せて道を尋ねた。
(I showed the map and inquired about the route.)
Register & nuance: 尋ねる is more formal and polite than casual 聞く, and it is common in polite spoken and written Japanese.