Query vs Question

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Query

Top 2,000 (common) C1 noun

Question

Top 1,000 (very common) A1 noun

Most common: Question

	Query	Question
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/ˈkwɪəri/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈkwɪri/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/ˈkwestʃən/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈkwestʃən/"]/
Meaning	A question you ask to get information.	A sentence or phrase that asks for information.
Example	Our assistants will be happy to answer your queries.	The teacher asked a difficult question during the exam.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	C1	A1
Part of speech	noun	noun
Collocations	customer, email, search, have, raise, email, query about, query as to, query concerning	awkward, difficult, embarrassing, ask (somebody), have, address, question about, question as to, question concerning to, awkward, difficult, embarrassing, ask (somebody), have, address, question about, question as to, question concerning to, burning, challenging, controversial, bring up, pose, raise, arise, go unanswered, remain unanswered, question about, question for, question of, come into, call into, be open to, beyond question, in question, without question
Antonyms	answer, response, reply	answer, solution
Common mistakes	Confused with 'inquiry', thinking they mean the same., Using 'query' in very casual situations where 'ask' would be better., Incorrectly using 'query' with a subject instead of an object.	Confusing 'question' with 'query' in formal contexts., Using 'questions' as a singular noun, e.g., 'I have a question' instead of 'I have questions.'
Usage notes	Use 'query' when asking for detailed information, especially in formal contexts like research or databases. Avoid in casual conversations where simpler terms like 'question' might fit better.	Use 'question' in both formal and informal settings. It's appropriate in classrooms, interviews, and casual conversations. Avoid using in situations where a statement is expected.

See it in real clips

Agatha Christies Poirot › S1 E1

Ah. That is a very good question, Hastings.

There is a question I would like to ask.

Agent Carter › S1 E1

Which begs the question, why invent them at all?

Agatha Christies Poirot › S1 E1

Ah. That is a very good question, Hastings.

There is a question I would like to ask.

Question

Frequently asked questions: Query vs Question

What's the difference between Query and Question?

Query: A question you ask to get information. Question: A sentence or phrase that asks for information.

Which is more common: Query and Question?

Question is the most common in everyday English.

Which is more advanced: Query and Question?

Query is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.

Are Query and Question the same CEFR level?

Query: C1, Question: A1 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Query and Question?

Query: noun, Question: noun.

Can you show an example of each?

Query: Our assistants will be happy to answer your queries. Question: The teacher asked a difficult question during the exam.

Can I use Query and Question interchangeably?

Not always. Query and Question are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.