Meaning and Usage
"問い合わせる" means "to inquire" or "to seek information." It is commonly used when asking for details, clarifications, or assistance, especially in formal or business contexts.
Common Contexts
You often see "問い合わせる" used when contacting customer service, asking about product availability, or requesting detailed information from an organization.
Collocations and Patterns
- 問い合わせる + について: to inquire about something (e.g., 商品の在庫について問い合わせる)
- 問い合わせる + に: to contact someone (e.g., カスタマーサービスに問い合わせる)
- 問い合わせてください: polite request to inquire
Register and Politeness
"問い合わせる" is a polite and formal verb, suitable for business and official communication. It is less casual than simply "聞く" (to ask).
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "問い合わせる" with casual "聞く." Remember that "問い合わせる" implies a formal inquiry or request for information, often directed to an organization or official source.