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

```

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:

問答は人生の一部です。

Mondou wa jinsei no ichibu desu

Questions and answers are part of life.

• 問答 - "questions and answers"
• は - It is a topic marking particle in Japanese.
• 人生 - Means "life" in Japanese.
• の - it is a possessive particle in Japanese.
• 一部 - "part" in Japanese.
• です - is a polite way of saying "ser" or "estar" in Japanese.

増加する人口が社会問題となっている。

Zouka suru jinkou ga shakai mondai to natte iru

Population increase is becoming a social problem.

The growing population has become a social problem.

• 増加する - increasing
• 人口 - population
• が - (subject particle)
• 社会問題 - social problem
• と - (connection particle)
• なっている - is becoming

彼は試験で一問も抜かさなかった。

Kare wa shiken de ichimon mo nukasanakatta

He did not let any questions pass on the exam.

He gave no doubt in the exam.

• 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 試験 - Japanese noun that means "exam"
• で - Japanese particle that indicates the place where something happened.
• 一問 - Japanese noun that means "a question"
• も - Japanese particle that indicates inclusion, in this case, "not even one"
• 抜かさなかった - Japanese verb in the negative past that means "did not fail to respond"

彼は手を挙げて質問をした。

Kare wa te o agete shitsumon o shita

He raised his hand and asked a question.

• 彼 - The Japanese personal pronoun that means "he" is "彼" (kare).
• は - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "he"
• 手 - Japanese noun meaning "hand"
• を - object particle indicating that "hand" is the direct object of the action
• 挙げて - Japanese verb meaning "lift" or "raise", conjugated in the gerund to indicate that the action is in progress
• 質問 - Japanese noun meaning "question"
• を - object particle that indicates that "question" is the direct object of the action
• した - Japanese verb "suru", conjugated in the past to indicate that the action has already been completed.

彼女は私に何を問うのか分からない。

Kanojo wa watashi ni nani o tou no ka wakaranai

I don't know what she is asking me.

She doesn't know what she asks.

• 彼女 - She
• は - Topic particle
• 私に - for me
• 何を - what
• 問う - to ask
• のか - Particle that indicates a question
• 分からない - I don't know

疑問を持つことは大切です。

Gimon wo motsu koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to have doubts.

It is important to have a question.

• 疑問 (gimon) - It means "doubt" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 持つ (motsu) - verb that means "have" or "possess" in Japanese
• こと (koto) - Abstract noun in Japanese, which can be translated as "thing" or "fact"
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - adjective that means "important" or "valuable" in Japanese
• です (desu) - verb to be in Japanese, used to indicate an affirmation or a formal statement

私はあなたの質問に答えることができますか？

Watashi wa anata no shitsumon ni kotaeru koto ga dekimasu ka?

Can I answer your question?

Can I answer your question?

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• あなた (anata) - Japanese personal pronoun meaning "you"
• の (no) - Japanese particle that indicates possession or relationship
• 質問 (shitsumon) - Japanese noun meaning "question"
• に (ni) - Japanese particle indicating the target of the action
• 答える (kotaeru) - Japanese verb meaning "to answer"
• こと (koto) - A palavra japonesa que significa "coisa" é "もの" (mono).
• が (ga) - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できますか (dekimasu ka) - Japanese expression meaning "is it possible?" or "can you?"

私はこの問題を調べる必要があります。

Watashi wa kono mondai o shiraberu hitsuyō ga arimasu

I need to investigate this problem.

I need to figure this problem out.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• この (kono) - Japanese demonstrative adjective meaning "this"
• 問題 (mondai) - Japanese noun that means "problem"
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 調べる (shiraberu) - Japanese verb that means "to investigate" or "to research."
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - Japanese noun that means "necessity" or "essential"
• が (ga) - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• あります (arimasu) - Japanese verb that means "to exist" or "there is"

私は多くの問題を抱えています。

Watashi wa ooku no mondai o kakaete imasu

I have a lot of problems to deal with.

I have a lot of problems.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 多くの (ooku no) - adjective that means "many"
• 問題 (mondai) - noun that means "problems"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "problems"
• 抱えています (kakaeteimasu) - verb that means "to have" or "to carry" and is conjugated in the affirmative present polite form

私たちは異なる観点から問題を見ることができます。

Watashitachi wa kotonaru kanten kara mondai o miru koto ga dekimasu

We can see the problem from a different perspective.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 異なる - "Diferente" in Japanese
• 観点 - "Perspective" in Japanese
• から - "De" in Japanese, indicating the origin of the action
• 問題 - "Problem" in Japanese
• を - Direct object particle in Japanese.
• 見る - "Ver" in Japanese
• こと - Suffix in Japanese indicating an action or event
• が - Particle in Japanese that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できます - "Can be done" in Japanese