打
听

About

The word 打听, meaning 'to inquire', is formed by combining the character 打, which here functions as an action-oriented prefix adding the sense of 'to engage in', with the character 听, meaning 'to listen'. This combination creates a compound verb where the prefix 打 modifies 听 to convey the active process of seeking information through listening and asking.

Example Sentences Hide

我想打听去火车站的路。

Wǒ xiǎng dǎtīng qù huǒchē zhàn de lù.

I want to ask for directions to the train station.

他正在打听新邻居的情况。

Tā zhèngzài dǎtīng xīn línjū de qíngkuàng.

He is inquiring about the new neighbors.

我们最好先打听一下会议的时间。

Wǒmen zuìhǎo xiān dǎtīng yīxià huìyì de shíjiān.

We'd better first inquire about the meeting time.

我到处打听，也没问出他的下落。

Wǒ dàochù dǎtīng, yě méi wèn chū tā de xiàluò.

I inquired everywhere but couldn't find out his whereabouts.

这件事很敏感，你打听的时候要格外小心。

Zhè jiàn shì hěn mǐngǎn, nǐ dǎtīng de shíhòu yào géwài xiǎoxīn.

This matter is very sensitive; you must be extra careful when you inquire about it.

Word Definition - 打听

dǎ ting to ask about; to make some inquiries; to ask around

Individual Character Details

打 dá, dǎ
听 yǐn, tīng