enquire
verb (especially British English)(also inquire North American English, British English)
[intransitive, transitive] (rather formal)Verb Forms
Phrasal Verbs| present simple I / you / we / they enquire | |
| he / she / it enquires | |
| past simple enquired | |
| past participle enquired | |
| -ing form enquiring |
to ask somebody for some information 询问；打听 - enquire about somebody/something
I called the station to enquire about train times. 我打电话到车站询问火车时刻。 - enquire as to somebody/something
She enquired as to your whereabouts. 她打听你的下落。 - enquire why, where, etc…
Might I enquire why you have not mentioned this until now? 请问你为什么直到现在才提及此事呢？ - enquire something
He enquired her name. 他打听她的姓名。 - + speech
‘What is your name?’ he enquired. “您叫什么名字？” 他询问道。
Synonyms askaskIn British English people sometimes distinguish between enquire and inquire, using enquire for the general meaning of ‘ask for information’ and inquire for the more particular meaning of ‘officially investigate’ I called to enquire about train times. • A committee will inquire into the allegations. However, you can use either spelling in either meaning. In American English inquire is usually used in both meanings.- enquire
- demand
- ask to say or write something in the form of a question, in order to get information:
‘Where are you going?’ she asked. “你去哪里？”她问道。 She asked the students their names. 她问了学生们的姓名。 Can I ask a question? 我能提个问题吗？
- enquire/inquire (rather formal
) to ask somebody for information: 指询问、查询： I called the station to enquire about train times. 我打电话到车站询问了火车时刻。
- demand to make a very strong request for information:
‘And where have you been?’ he demanded angrily. “那你去了哪里？”他怒气冲冲地质问道。
- to ask/enquire about/after somebody/something
- to ask/enquire/demand something of somebody
- to ask/enquire/demand what/who/how, etc.
- to ask/enquire politely
- to ask/enquire/demand angrily
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- further
- pleasantly
- politely
- …
- about
- after
- as to
- …
- enquire about somebody/something