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How to Say ‘Can I ask you a question?’ in Traditional Chinese

我可以問你一個問題嗎？

wǒ kě yǐ wèn nǐ yī gè wèn tí ma

[waw kuh-yee wèn nǐ ee guh wèntí mah]

💬 Usage Tip: Put 嗎 (ma) at the end of a statement and it becomes a yes/no question, with no change in word order. 我可以坐這裡 "I can sit here" becomes 我可以坐這裡嗎？ "Can I sit here?"

Phrase Breakdown

我可以問你

wǒ kě yǐ wèn nǐ

can I ask you

我 (I) + 可以 (can) + 問 (ask) + 你 (you). This is a polite way to ask permission.

Example

我可以問你名字嗎？

Can I ask your name?

Words in this phrase

我

wǒ

[waw]

me; I

First-person pronoun; in 誇我 it means 'praise me' or 'compliment me.'

Example

你這樣誇我，我會開始懷疑你是不是別有用心。

If you compliment me like this, I'll start wondering whether you have other intentions.

可以

kě yǐ

[kuh-yee]

can; may

Used to express ability, permission, or that something is possible.

Example

你如果想加這位主管的聯絡方式，現在可以先自我介紹。

If you want to add this manager's contact information, you can introduce yourself first now.

問

wèn

[wèn]

ask

To put a question to someone.

Example

我想問你一個問題。

I want to ask you a question.

你

nǐ

[nǐ]

you

Refers to the person being spoken to.

Example

你今天看起來很高興。

You look happy today.

一個問題嗎？

yī gè wèn tí ma

a question?

一個 (one/a) + 問題 (question) + 嗎 (yes/no question particle). Let your voice rise slightly on 嗎.

Example

你有一個問題嗎？

Do you have a question?

Words in this phrase

一

yī

[ee]

one; a

A number word that helps form the phrase for category.

Example

你想找哪一類工作？

What kind of job do you want to look for?

個

gè

[guh]

general classifier

A very common measure word used with many nouns, like people, places, and objects.

Example

那個地方比較好找。

That place is easier to find.

問題

wèn tí

[wèntí]

question

A sentence worded or expressed to elicit information.

Example

在職業發展過程中，提出問題可以幫助解決困難。

Raising questions during the career development process can help solve difficulties.

嗎

[mah]

question particle (yes/no questions)

Used at the end of a sentence to ask a yes/no question. In holiday talk: 有吃年夜飯嗎？

Example

你有吃年夜飯嗎？

Did you have the New Year’s Eve reunion dinner?

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