(xùn) - To inquire & to ask

Tone 4

xùn | 10 strokes | radical:

· xùn

To inquire;

to ask;

information;

news;

message;

dispatch.

To inquireto askinformation

Usage highlights

InformationNewsText messageInquireInterrogateDispatch

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • to answer
  • to reply

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I need to ask for information (讯问).
  • This is breaking news (新闻).
  • He received a text message (短信).
  • The police interrogated the suspect (审讯).

Collocations

  • Information(讯息)
  • News(新闻)
  • Text message(短信)
  • Inquire(讯问)
  • Interrogate(审讯)
  • Dispatch(电讯)

Idioms

  • Swift as wind and lightning(风驰电讯)
  • No news is good news(杳无音讯)
  • To interrogate and punish(讯鞫鞭扑)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted a bound prisoner being interrogated, reflecting ancient judicial practices.
  • Evolved to encompass modern concepts of communication and information exchange.
  • The character reflects China's transition from oral to written to digital communication.

FAQ