How to say "Ask" in Japanese

When translating "ask" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 頼む and 問う. In Japanese, 頼む (たのむ (tanomu)) is typically associated with "to ask (a favor), to request" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Often used when making a request or asking for a favor from someone. Can be used in polite forms like 頼みます. On the other hand, 問う (とう (tou)) maps to "to ask, to question, to inquire" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Often used in a more formal context than 聞く. A literal translation of "ask" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!