질문을 하다

You can use this phrase in almost any sentence structure. In casual speech, people often drop the object marker 을 and just say 질문하다. If you want to sound more polite to a teacher or boss, you change 하다 to 드리다, making it 질문(을) 드리다. It’s very flexible. You can add 'one' (하나) to say 'ask one question.' Just don't forget to conjugate the verb based on who you're talking to!

Use this in a classroom when you're confused about a grammar point. Use it in a business meeting before the boss walks out. It’s perfect for when you’re texting a friend and need to know where they are. Even at a tourist information center, this phrase is your best friend. It signals to the other person: 'Hey, I need some info, please listen.'

Don't use 질문하다 if you are asking for a favor. For favors, use 부탁하다. Also, if you are just 'asking' someone's name or age in a casual chat, 물어보다 sounds more natural. 질문하다 can feel a bit formal or academic sometimes. If you're asking a girl out on a date, '질문이 있어요' might make her think she's about to take a math test. Keep it for seeking actual information!

In traditional Korean classrooms, students were often quiet and didn't ask many questions. It was seen as potentially challenging the teacher's authority. Times have changed! Now, 질문 is seen as a sign of an active, bright mind. However, there is still a 'politeness' layer. You’ll notice Koreans often apologize before asking a question. They might say '죄송한데...' (I'm sorry, but...) before jumping in. It’s a way to show respect for the other person's time.

The most common variation is 물어보다. This literally means 'to ask and see.' It’s much more common in daily, spoken conversation. Then there is the super-polite 질문(을) 드리다. You use this with elders or people of high status. It’s like saying 'I humbly offer a question.' If you want to sound like a pro, use 여쭤보다 when asking a grandparent or a CEO a question.