December 9, 2012 =========

☆ inquire　尋ねる

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“Inquire” is a formal word to mean ask for information about something.
In American spelling, the word “inquire” is more common, but in British English,
you might sometimes see it spelled with an “e”, as in “enquire”.

Since “inquire” and “enquire” are quite formal words, when you are speaking it is
more common to use “ask”. So here are some examples:

He inquired about her new job. (Written English)
He asked about her new job. (Spoken English).

May I inquire about these reports? (Written English)
May I ask about these reports? (Spoken English)

See you,
Chris
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今日の単語は、何かについての情報を訊くことをフォーマルに言う形です。
アメリカ英語のスペルは“inquire”ですが、イギリス英語では“enquire”となることもあります。

“Inquire”も“enquire”もフォーマルな言葉なので、話し言葉の時には“ask”を使います。例を挙げましょう：

He inquired about her new job. (書き言葉)
(彼は、彼女の新しい仕事について尋ねた)
He asked about her new job. (話し言葉)
(彼は、彼女の新しい仕事について訊いた)

May I inquire about these reports? (書き言葉)
(これらの報告について問い合わせをしても良いですか？)
May I ask about these reports? (話し言葉)
(これらの報告について訊いても良いですか？)

それでは！
クリス