The character 问 (wèn) means "to ask", and the character 题 (tí) originally referred to the "forehead" but evolved to mean a "subject", "topic", or "title". Combined, 问题 literally forms the concept of an "asking-point" or an "asked subject". This composition figuratively creates the abstract meaning of a "question", "issue", or "problem", essentially, a topic that has been raised or put forward for inquiry or resolution.