質問

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 質問(しつもん) names a question or the act of asking; 質問する means to ask a question.
• Basic usage: It appears when asking about something after an explanation or answering what someone has asked.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Asking and answering
  • 質問する is the act of asking, while 質問に答える is responding to a question received.
• Difference from 問題
  • 問題 can refer to a problem to solve or an exam item, whereas 質問 focuses on something asked in order to obtain an answer.