質問の工夫

English translation: creativity (or ingenuity) in the way one asks a question

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Japanese term or phrase:質問の工夫
English translation:creativity (or ingenuity) in the way one asks a question
Entered by: Geraldine Oudin

10:39 Jul 26, 2008
Japanese to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Psychology
Japanese term or phrase: 質問の工夫
"質問の工夫を忘れないこと" is a piece of advice for sales representatives. The way a question is asked affects the response...so it is important not to forget "質問の工夫". 工夫is a difficult word to translate!
Joss Ky
Australia
Local time: 09:14
creativity (or ingenuity) in the way one asks a question
Explanation:
Since we're talking about a piece of advice for sales representatives, I think "質問の工夫を忘れないこと" basically means : "Don't forget to be creative/ingenious in the way you ask questions"

Since we have other elements, and to avoid being repetitive I would translate the whole sentence by :

"The way a question is asked affects the response, so try (or:do your best) to be creative/ingenious".

I feel like creativity sounds better, but maybe ingenuity is closer to 工夫...

but that's only my humble opinion
Selected response from:

Geraldine Oudin
United Kingdom
Grading comment
Thanks france japon!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +3creativity (or ingenuity) in the way one asks a question
Geraldine Oudin
3asking questions tactfully/skillfully
Aogara
3kanck of asking questions
Hari Damle


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


26 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
creativity (or ingenuity) in the way one asks a question


Explanation:
Since we're talking about a piece of advice for sales representatives, I think "質問の工夫を忘れないこと" basically means : "Don't forget to be creative/ingenious in the way you ask questions"

Since we have other elements, and to avoid being repetitive I would translate the whole sentence by :

"The way a question is asked affects the response, so try (or:do your best) to be creative/ingenious".

I feel like creativity sounds better, but maybe ingenuity is closer to 工夫...

but that's only my humble opinion

Geraldine Oudin
United Kingdom
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks france japon!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  KathyT: very nice! I also like your suggestion of 'creative' here. (Didn't end up making it to the powwow, eh?)
9 mins
  -> well, you know how it ends up when you decide to take a "quick" final look before sending a translation...I assumed everyone would be gone by 6.

agree  Will Matter: I like your use of "creative" too, it's very, well, "creative". Good job. Might interest both of you to know that these very same kanji (工夫) are read as 'gong fu' (kung fu) in Chinese with the meaning of 'skill acquired by long practice or experience'.
3 hrs

agree  Kendriya .: I also like "ingenuity":)
10 hrs
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6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
asking questions tactfully/skillfully


Explanation:
Just another idea focusing on a more practical side.

If this is about a piece of advice for sales representatives, 質問の工夫 could involve how to word the questions and how to formulate appropriate structures in order to gain the responses which are relevant to some targeted issues or to prompt the next steps.

In this sense, 工夫 could also be done via certain body language and tone of voice etc.

I think something like "asking questions tactfully/skillfully" can cover these.

Aogara
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:44
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Japanese
PRO pts in category: 4
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1 day 40 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
kanck of asking questions


Language variant: knack of questioning

Explanation:
In this contxt, the term 'knack' seems to be a better fit for 工夫

Hari Damle
India
Local time: 04:14
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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