to inquire
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to inquire
To actively obtain information by asking questions. You ask specifically about something or ask someone in order to receive information.
Ich werde mich bei der Touristeninformation nach den Öffnungszeiten des Museums erkundigen.
I will inquire at the tourist information office about the museum's opening hours.
'Erkundigen' (to inquire) is a reflexive verb and is always used with a reflexive pronoun in the accusative (ich erkundige mich, du erkundigst dich, er/sie/es erkundigt sich). The pronoun cannot be left out.
Erkundigen Sie sich bitte am Schalter.
Please inquire at the counter.
This verb uses fixed prepositions: you say 'sich bei jemandem erkundigen' (to inquire with someone) (a person or institution) and 'sich nach etwas erkundigen' (to inquire about something) (the information you are looking for). Both prepositions take the dative.
Ich habe mich bei der Fluggesellschaft nach den Gepäckregeln erkundigt.
I inquired with the airline about the baggage rules.
The verb contains the stem 'kund', which is related to 'Kunde' (news/message) and 'kundig' (knowledgeable). 'Sich erkundigen' (to inquire) therefore literally means to make oneself knowledgeable.
Kannst du dich bitte erkundigen, wann der Zug abfährt?
Could you please inquire when the train leaves?
to ask
Fragen usually refers to the immediate act of asking a single question. Sich erkundigen emphasizes more strongly that someone is deliberately seeking information and may involve several questions. Use fragen for a specific question; for the overall search for information, sich erkundigen is often more appropriate.
Am Schalter erkundige ich mich nach den Abfahrtszeiten der Züge.
At the ticket counter, I inquire about the trains' departure times.
Am Schalter frage ich, wann der nächste Zug abfährt.
At the ticket counter, I ask when the next train leaves.
