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March 24, 2026
乞qǐ(qi3)
The character 乞 (qǐ) primarily means 'to beg' or 'to request something earnestly.' It is often used in contexts related to asking for help, favors, or alms, particularly in a humble or desperate manner. This character conveys a sense of neediness and vulnerability, making it important in discussions around charity and social support.
Strokes3Radical乙Frequency#18473DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, begging is often viewed through a lens of social responsibility and compassion. In some urban areas, beggars may be seen as a part of the social landscape, prompting discussions about poverty and charity.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person with a pleading look, holding out their hands in a begging gesture. The character 乞 resembles two hands reaching out, emphasizing the act of requesting or begging. The pronunciation 'qǐ' can be remembered by thinking of 'key' — you need a key to unlock the help you are seeking.
Meanings of 乞
qǐ(qi3)
1to beg
2to beg; to request
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 乞
乞Simplified
3Strokes
乙Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#18473Frequency Rank
Podcast: 乞
Podcast: 乞
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AI Study Notes for 乞
Quick Contrast
乞 (qǐ) vs 请求 (qǐngqiú) — use 乞 for a more desperate or humble request, while 请求 is more formal and polite.
Usage Notes
While 乞 is commonly used in informal contexts, it may carry a negative connotation if used excessively, so moderation is key. Be cautious with tone; the third tone 'qǐ' can be confused with other tones, leading to misunderstandings. Typical collocations include 乞求 (qǐqiú, to beg for) and 乞讨 (qǐtǎo, to beg for money).
HSK Study Tips
Although 乞 is not included in the official HSK vocabulary, it can be related to other verbs of asking or requesting at this level, such as 请 (qǐng, to request) and 要 (yào, to want). Students should focus on the contexts where begging is appropriate or inappropriate in social settings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 乞 with other similar-sounding characters, such as 起 (qǐ, to rise), leading to sentences like 我乞了 (wǒ qǐle, incorrect for 'I rose'). The correct usage should focus on contexts of begging or requesting, like '我乞求你的帮助' (Wǒ qǐqiú nǐ de bāngzhù, 'I beg for your help').
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 乞
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Originally a variant of 气. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 乞? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 乞?
Decomposition of 乞
IDS Structure⿱？乙
乞Full Character
=
乙yi3
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Exercise 1 of 1
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 乞?
How to say to beg in Chinese
“to beg” in Chinese is乞qǐ
The character 乞 (qǐ) primarily means 'to beg' or 'to request something earnestly.' It is often used in contexts related to asking for help, favors, or alms, particularly in a humble or desperate manner. This character conveys a sense of neediness and vulnerability, making it important in discussions around charity and social support.
When to use 乞
While 乞 is commonly used in informal contexts, it may carry a negative connotation if used excessively, so moderation is key. Be cautious with tone; the third tone 'qǐ' can be confused with other tones, leading to misunderstandings. Typical collocations include 乞求 (qǐqiú, to beg for) and 乞讨 (qǐtǎo, to beg for money).
乞 or something close to it
乞 (qǐ) vs 请求 (qǐngqiú) — use 乞 for a more desperate or humble request, while 请求 is more formal and polite.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 乞 with other similar-sounding characters, such as 起 (qǐ, to rise), leading to sentences like 我乞了 (wǒ qǐle, incorrect for 'I rose'). The correct usage should focus on contexts of begging or requesting, like '我乞求你的帮助' (Wǒ qǐqiú nǐ de bāngzhù, 'I beg for your help').
Write 乞
乞
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Grammar Patterns of 乞
乞 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
“你真的不说吗？”她问道，____求得到安慰。
"You really won't tell?" she asked, begging for reassurance.
Example Sentences for 乞 (10)
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1
“你真的不说吗？”她问道，乞求得到安慰。
“ “ nǐ zhēn de bù shuō？” ma ？” tā， wèn dào ， qǐ qiú dé。
"You really won't tell?" she asked, begging for reassurance.
2
里韦罗警官说因为沿街乞讨而被捕的事情每天都有。
lǐ wéi luó jǐng guān shuō yīn wéi yán jiē qǐ tǎo ér bèi bǔ de shì qíng měi tiān dū yǒu。
Sergeant Rivero says arrests for panhandling take place every day.
3
我们是不会资助那些乞丐的。
wǒ mén shì bù huì zī zhù nà xiē qǐ gài de。
We are not in the business of subsidising scroungers.
4
他早先说他不会伸手去乞求援助。
tā zǎo xiān shuō tā bù huì shēn shǒu qù qǐ qiú yuán zhù。
He said earlier that he is not holding out a begging bowl.
