Translation and Meaning of: 問 - mon

The Japanese word 「問」 (mon) carries a meaning that is central to the process of acquiring knowledge: it means "question" or "inquiry." The etymology of the term is deeply rooted in the kanji characters. The kanji 「問」 is composed of two main elements: 「門」 (mon), which means "gate" or "entrance," and 「口」 (kuchi), which means "mouth." Together, these elements symbolize the act of opening the "door of the mouth" to ask questions, illustrating the idea of communication and the quest for understanding.

The use of the word "mon" is quite diverse. In an academic context, it is common to find terms like 「質問」 (shitsumon), which means "question" in a more formal sense, often used in interviews or educational discussions. Another variation is 「問題」 (mondai), which refers to a "problem" or "issue," frequently used in contexts that require resolution, such as math problems or social challenges.

Historically, the idea of asking questions and questioning has deep cultural roots in Japan. During the Edo period, schools and temples were centers of learning where questioning preconceived ideas was essential for the advancement of knowledge. The practice of asking questions was seen as a way to open the mind to different perspectives and find the truth. Thus, the word 「問」 remains relevant not only linguistically but also culturally, as a symbol of the ongoing pursuit of wisdom.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 質問 (shitsumon) - Question; interrogation
• 疑問 (gimon) - Doubt; question to be clarified
• 問題 (mondai) - Problem; issue
• 訊ねる (tazuneru) - Inquire; ask
• 問う (tou) - Ask; question
• 詰問 (tsumon) - Conclusive interrogation
• 追及する (tsuikyuu suru) - Pursue; investigate a question
• 問いかける (toikakeru) - Ask a question; address someone with a query.
• 尋ねる (tazuneru) - Ask (in a less formal way)
• 問い詰める (toitsumeru) - Intensely interrogate; press with questions
• 問い返す (toikaesu) - Ask in reply
• 問い尽くす (toitsukusu) - Ask until all questions are exhausted.
• 問いかわす (toikawasu) - Switch questions
• 問い込む (toikomu) - Ask a deep question; question deeply

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問

Romaji: mon
Kana: もん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: problem; question

Meaning in English: problem;question

Definition: To ask questions

Example Sentences - (問) mon

See below some example sentences:

彼はいつも問題を誤魔化す。

Kare wa itsumo mondai o gomakasu

He always tries to cover up problems.

He always deceives the problem.

• 彼 - personal pronoun "he"
• は - Topic particle
• いつも - adverb "always"
• 問題 - noun "problem"
• を - direct object particle
• 誤魔化す - verb "deceive, disguise"

学問は人生の宝物です。

Gakumon wa jinsei no takaramono desu

Knowledge is a treasure in life.

Academic is a treasure of life.

• 学問 - means "study" or "knowledge acquired through study".
• は - topic particle, indicating that the subject of the sentence is "study".
• 人生 - means "human life."
• の - possession particle, indicating that "human life" is the possessor of the treasure.
• 宝物 - means "treasure".
• です - verb to be in the present tense, indicating that "study" is a treasure in human life.

この問題は詰らない。

Kono mondai wa tsumaranai

This problem is bland.

This problem is not clogged.

• この - this
• 問題 - problem
• は - Topic particle
• 詰らない - no solution, no answer

非行は社会問題です。

Hikou wa shakai mondai desu

Delinquency is a social problem.

Delineations are social issues.

• 非行 (hikou) - inappropriate behavior, delinquency
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 社会 (shakai) - society
• 問題 (mondai) - problem
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

避けることができない問題がある。

Hikeru koto ga dekinai mondai ga aru

There is a problem that cannot be avoided.

There is an inevitable problem.

• 避ける - verb that means "to avoid"
• こと - noun that means "thing"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できない - adjective that means "cannot be done"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem"
• が - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• ある - Verb that means "to exist"

質問をしてもいいですか？

Shitsumon wo shitemo ii desu ka?

I can ask a question?

I can ask a question?

• 質問 - means "question" in Japanese
• を - Direct object particle in Japanese
• して - form of the verb "suru" which means "to do" in Japanese, in the gerund
• も - inclusion particle in Japanese
• いい - adjective meaning "good" in Japanese
• です - polite form of the verb "to be" in Japanese
• か - question mark in Japanese
• ？ - question mark in Japanese

考古学は歴史を知るために重要な学問です。

Kōkogaku wa rekishi o shiru tame ni jūyōna gakumon desu

Archaeology is an important discipline for understanding history.

Archaeology is an important learning tool to understand history.

• 考古学 - archaeology
• は - Topic particle
• 歴史 - history
• を - direct object particle
• 知る - to know, to be familiar with
• ために - in order to
• 重要な - important
• 学問 - academic discipline
• です - verb "to be" (in the present)

格差が社会問題として深刻化している。

Kakusa ga shakai mondai to shite shinkokuka shite iru

Inequality is becoming a serious social problem.

The gap is becoming more serious as a social problem.

• 格差 - inequality
• が - subject particle
• 社会 - society
• 問題 - problem
• として - how
• 深刻化 - worsening
• している - It's running

排水は重要な環境問題です。

Haisui wa juuyou na kankyou mondai desu

Drainage is an important environmental issue.

Drainage is an important environmental problem.

• 排水 - Means "sewer" in Japanese.
• は - is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 重要な - means "important" in Japanese, and is an adjective that modifies the noun "環境問題".
• 環境問題 - means "environmental problem" in Japanese, and is the subject of the sentence.
• です - is a polite way of saying "is" in Japanese, and indicates that the sentence is a statement.

地理はとても興味深い学問です。

Chiri wa totemo kyoumi fukai gakumon desu

Geography is a very interesting subject.

Geography is a very interesting study.

• 地理 - geography
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 興味深い - interesting
• 学問 - academic discipline
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present