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' and 'sich erkundigen' both have to do with wanting to get information. 'fragen' is the normal, general word: you ask a person a question. 'sich erkundigen' sounds a little more targeted and often a little more formal. It is used especially when you get information from an office, organization, or person, for example about opening hours, prices, or an appointment. Learners may confuse the words because you inquire by asking. In practice: for a single direct question, 'fragen' usually fits best; for specifically asking for information, 'sich erkundigen' often fits well.
Vor der Reise erkundigt sich Anna im Hotel nach den Frühstückszeiten.
Before the trip, Anna inquires at the hotel about the breakfast times.
Wir fragen den Nachbarn, ob er unsere Katze gesehen hat.
We ask the neighbor whether he has seen our cat.