问询 (wèn xún) is a formal noun meaning 'inquiry' or 'information-seeking', often used in institutional, administrative, or service-oriented contexts—such as airports, hospitals, government offices, or customer service desks. Though composed of two characters both meaning 'to ask' (问 = to ask a question; 询 = to inquire, especially formally or systematically), together they form a compound that emphasizes the act of seeking official or factual information—not casual questioning.

This term rarely appears in spoken, informal conversation; instead, it’s common in signs (e.g., 问询处 'information desk'), official documents, and written notices. It implies purposeful, often procedural information gathering—like verifying details, requesting directions, or checking status. The word carries neutral-to-formal register and conveys seriousness and intentionality, distinguishing it from simpler verbs like 问 (wèn) or 查 (chá).