Objective To explore the non-language factors influencing the inquiry effect in Chinese medicine clinical practice. Methods Communication information between 15 senior Chinese medicine doctors from Beijing and Tianjin and 1547 patients during the process of inquiry was collected. Non-language factors influencing the inquiry effect were concluded by adopting the method of expert interview. Results All the senior doctors investigated in this study paid attention to etiquette

appearance

sitting posture

and surroundings

and showed concern and sympathy for patients when making inquiry. During the inquiry

doctors and patients mostly sat diagonally in the angle of90°. Average distance between doctors and patients was（ 58. 46 ± 2. 23） cm. Conclusion Inquiry is made in a certain language environment. Non-language factors which influence the inquiry effect mainly included etiquette

sitting posture

eye-contact

mentality

listening

distance between doctors and patients

etc.