Usage note
“咨询”指向别人询问意见或信息。
“zīxún” zhǐ xiàng biérén xúnwèn yìjiàn huò xìnxī.
"Consult" means to ask someone for advice or information.
Context note
遇到不懂的问题时，可以咨询老师或专家。
Yùdào bù dǒng de wèntí shí, kěyǐ zīxún lǎoshī huò zhuānjiā.
When encountering something you don't understand, you can consult a teacher or expert.
5 examples
我向老师咨询了学习方法。
wǒ xiàng lǎo shī zī xún le xué xí fāng fǎ。
I consulted the teacher about study methods.
她咨询了医生关于健康饮食。
tā zī xún le yī shēng guān yú jiàn kāng yǐn shí。
She consulted the doctor about healthy eating.
我们需要咨询专业人士的意见。
wǒ men xū yào zī xún zhuān yè rén shì de yì jiàn。
We need to consult professionals for advice.
他咨询了图书馆员如何找书。
tā zī xún le tú shū guǎn yuán rú hé zhǎo shū。
He consulted the librarian on how to find books.
遇到困难时，可以咨询朋友。
yù dào kùn nán shí， kě yǐ zī xún péng yǒu。
When encountering difficulties, you can consult friends.
5 mini stories
小明不知道如何种花，他咨询了园艺老师。老师教他浇水。
xiǎo míng bù zhī dào rú hé zhǒng huā， tā zī xún le yuán yì lǎo shī。 lǎo shī jiào tā jiāo shuǐ。
Xiao Ming didn't know how to plant flowers, so he consulted the gardening teacher. The teacher taught him to water them.
小红想学画画，她咨询了美术老师。老师给了她建议。
xiǎo hóng xiǎng xué huà huà， tā zī xún le měi shù lǎo shī。 lǎo shī gěi le tā jiàn yì。
Xiao Hong wanted to learn painting, so she consulted the art teacher. The teacher gave her advice.
小刚迷路了，他咨询了警察叔叔。警察帮他找到了家。
xiǎo gāng mí lù le， tā zī xún le jǐng chá shū shu。 jǐng chá bāng tā zhǎo dào le jiā。
Xiao Gang was lost, so he consulted a police officer. The officer helped him find his home.
小丽做手工遇到问题，她咨询了手工老师。老师帮她解决了。
xiǎo lì zuò shǒu gōng yù dào wèn tí， tā zī xún le shǒu gōng lǎo shī。 lǎo shī bāng tā jiě jué le。
Xiao Li had a problem with her craft, so she consulted the craft teacher. The teacher helped her solve it.
小华想了解恐龙，他咨询了博物馆讲解员。讲解员讲了很多知识。
xiǎo huá xiǎng le jiě kǒng lóng， tā zī xún le bó wù guǎn jiǎng jiě yuán。 jiǎng jiě yuán jiǎng le hěn duō zhī shi。
Xiao Hua wanted to learn about dinosaurs, so he consulted a museum guide. The guide shared a lot of knowledge.
Mini dialogue
咨询问题
A
我想咨询一个问题。
Wǒ xiǎng zīxún yí ge wèntí.
I want to consult about a question.
B
好的，请说，我可以帮你咨询。
Hǎo de, qǐng shuō, wǒ kěyǐ bāng nǐ zīxún.
Okay, please tell me, I can help you consult.
咨询老师
A
这道题我不会，可以去咨询老师吗？
Zhè dào tí wǒ bú huì, kěyǐ qù zīxún lǎoshī ma?
I don't know how to do this problem, can I go consult the teacher?
B
当然可以，老师很乐意提供咨询。
Dāngrán kěyǐ, lǎoshī hěn lèyì tígōng zīxún.
Of course, the teacher is happy to provide consultation.
Related words and contrasts
similar
询问
xún wèn
ask; inquire
咨询 is more formal, often for professional advice.
similar
请教
qǐng jiào
consult; ask for advice (polite)
Used when respectfully asking someone more knowledgeable.
opposite
回答
huí dá
answer; reply
咨询 is to ask, 回答 is to answer.