# Ask (Voice Answer)

> The Ask node speaks a question and captures the caller's spoken answer as text, with re-asks and expected words.

Source: https://edesy.in/docs/ivr/nodes/ask

The Ask node speaks a question and captures what the caller says, transcribed to text by speech recognition (STT). It re-asks if the caller is silent, accepts a list of expected words to improve recognition, and saves the answer under a question key. Later nodes can use the answer as `{{answer.<key>}}`, and it appears in call logs and the status callback.

## Settings

| Field | Required | Default | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Question key | Yes | | Names the answer. Lowercase letters, digits and `_`, starting with a letter, e.g. `location`. Must be unique in the flow |
| Question | Yes | | Spoken question. Supports `{{var.name}}`. TTS preview available |
| Language | No | Flow language | Default, English (India), English (US) or Hindi. Used to speak the question and to transcribe the answer |
| Wait for an answer (seconds) | No | 8 | 1 to 30 |
| Pause that ends the answer (seconds) | No | 2 | 1 to 5. Raise it for open questions, lower it for one-word answers |
| Re-ask if silent | No | 1 | 0 to 2 extra attempts before following No answer |
| Re-ask prompt | No | | Spoken instead of the question when re-asking |
| Expected words (optional) | No | | Comma-separated names or terms callers are likely to say, e.g. `Delhi, Lucknow, Sales` (up to 50) |

## Exits

| Exit | When |
|---|---|
| Answered | A spoken answer was captured |
| No answer | The caller stayed silent after all re-asks |

If the Answered exit isn't connected, the call hangs up after the question (the builder warns you).

## Where answers appear

- `{{answer.<question key>}}` in later HTTP Request and Email nodes.
- The **Answers** section of the call in [Call Logs](https://edesy.in/docs/ivr/logs/call-logs).
- The `answers` array of the [status callback](https://edesy.in/docs/ivr/api/outbound-ivr-calls#status-callback): `question_key`, `question`, `transcript`, `confidence`, `status`, `attempt`.

## Example

A Hindi lead-qualification step:

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Question key | `city` |
| Question | Aap kis shehar se baat kar rahe hain? |
| Language | Hindi |
| Expected words | Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Jaipur |

Then an HTTP Request sends `{"city": "{{answer.city}}"}` to your CRM.