伺う

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 伺う(うかがう) is a humble verb for asking or visiting, lowering the speaker's side to show respect.
• Basic usage: It is used when offering to visit someone's office or asking the person in charge for details.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Destination and person asked
  • 事務所へ伺います indicates a destination and means visiting. 事情を担当者に伺って gives the information sought and the person asked, so it means asking.
• Politeness and whose action it is
  • 伺う shows respect by lowering an action on one's own side. It differs from an honorific expression that elevates someone else's action.