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How to Say ‘I'd like to ask’ in Simplified Chinese

我想问一下

wǒ xiǎng wèn yī xià

[waw shyang wun ee-shyah]

💬 Usage Tip: [我想问一下] is a very useful polite opener before a question. The [一下] makes it sound less abrupt, like "I'd just like to ask..."

Phrase Breakdown

我想

wǒ xiǎng

I want to; I'd like to

A polite way to begin saying what you want to do or ask.

Example

我想问一个问题。

I'd like to ask a question.

Words in this phrase

[waw]

I; me

The basic first-person pronoun in Chinese.

Example

我想问一下订位怎么取消。

I’d like to ask how to cancel a reservation.

xiǎng

[shyang]

to want; would like to

Used to express intention politely.

Example

我想问一下你们的取消时间。

I’d like to ask about your cancellation time policy.

问一下

wèn yī xià

to ask briefly; ask a moment

A polite, softened way of saying 'ask' in conversation.

Example

我问一下可以吗?

May I ask for a moment?

Words in this phrase

wèn

[wun]

to ask

Used when asking for information.

Example

我想问一下,如果临时不能来怎么办?

I’d like to ask, what should I do if I suddenly can’t come?

一下

yī xià

[ee-shyah]

a bit; briefly

Softens the question and sounds polite in conversation.

Example

我想问一下,这个规定适用于周末吗?

I’d like to ask, does this rule apply on weekends?

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