How to Say ‘May I ask’ in Simplified Chinese
请问
qǐng wèn
[qǐng wèn]
🇨🇳 In China: 请问 softens a question and makes it polite, especially with strangers or customers. In service talk it often sounds like 'may I ask...' rather than a formal request for permission.
Phrase Breakdown
请问
qǐng wèn
[qǐng wèn]
may I ask
A polite way to start a question.
请问，厕所在哪里？
May I ask, where is the restroom?
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