Enquire after Meaning in English
expression
ɪnˈkwaɪɝ/ /ˈæftɝ
in-KWY-er AF-ter
ɛnkwˈaɪə/ /ˈɑːftɐ
en-KWY-uh AF-tuh
Definition
To ask about someone’s health or well-being, usually in a polite or caring way.
Usage & Nuances
Slightly formal and more common in British English; American English usually says 'ask about'. Often used when someone is absent or ill. Used mainly for people, not things.
Spanish: preguntar por - interesarse porPortuguese (BR): perguntar por - interessar-se pelo estado dePortuguese (PT): perguntar por - interessar-se pela saúde deChinese (Simplified): 询问（某人）的近况Chinese (Traditional): 詢問（某人）的近況Hindi: (किसी के हालचाल) पूछनाArabic: يسأل عن (أحوال شخص)Bengali: খোঁজ নেওয়া - খবর নেওয়াRussian: спрашивать о здоровье - осведомляться о ком-тоJapanese: 安否を尋ねる - 具合を聞くVietnamese: hỏi thămKorean: 안부를 묻다Turkish: halini sormak - sağlık durumunu sormakUrdu: حال دریافت کرنا - خیریت پوچھناIndonesian: menanyakan kabar - menanyakan keadaan
Example Sentences
She always enquires after her grandmother’s health.
basic
Whenever I call, he enquires after my family.
basic
He politely enquired after her father at the party.
basic
People often enquire after you when you’re not around.
natural
If anyone enquires after me, just say I’ll call them back later.
natural
After she moved away, her old neighbors would still enquire after her from time to time.
natural