疑问
yíwèn · HSK 4
question
❓ 疑 (doubt) + 问 (ask) = doubt-ask = a question full of uncertainty
疑 means doubt or suspicion; 问 means to ask. Together 疑问 is literally a doubt-question — an enquiry raised because something is unclear. Compare with 问题 (problem/question), which is more neutral.
问 — gate 门 (phonetic) + mouth 口 (semantic)
问 is a phono-semantic compound. The 口 (mouth) on the inside gives the meaning—using the mouth to ask—while 门 (gate/door) supplies the sound, close to 'mén/wèn'. The traditional form 問 places 口 inside 門, vividly suggesting speaking through a doorway to inquire.