to seek; to request, to demand; to beseech, to beg for
HSK 6, v, 7 strokes, radical 氺, rank #328, Medium
qiú(qiu2) T2
1to seek
2to look for
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March 24, 2026
求qiú(qiu2)
The character 求 (qiú) primarily means 'to seek' or 'to request.' It is commonly used in contexts where one is looking for something, asking for help, or making a demand. This verb can convey a sense of earnestness, such as in seeking assistance or expressing a heartfelt request.
Strokes7Radical氺Frequency#328DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of 求 can be seen in many traditional practices, such as seeking blessings at temples or during festivals, where people request good fortune or health from deities.
Memory Tip
Imagine you are on a quest ('求' sounds like 'cue' in English) to find a lost treasure. The character is composed of the '求' component which can be visualized as a person reaching out with both hands, symbolizing the act of seeking or requesting.
Meanings of 求
qiú(qiu2)
1to seek
2to look for
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 求
求Simplified
7Strokes
氺Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#328Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1BCT✓CEFRA1
Podcast: 求
Podcast: 求
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AI Study Notes for 求
Quick Contrast
求 (qiú) vs 要 (yào) — use 求 when seeking something earnestly or requesting help, while 要 is more about wanting or needing something.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine you are on a quest ('求' sounds like 'cue' in English) to find a lost treasure. The character is composed of the '求' component which can be visualized as a person reaching out with both hands, symbolizing the act of seeking or requesting.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 求 with other similar verbs like 要 (yào) which means 'to want.' It’s important to use 求 in contexts of seeking or requesting rather than stating a desire. Common collocations include 求助 (qiú zhù - to seek help) and 求婚 (qiú hūn - to propose marriage).
HSK Study Tips
Though 求 is not in the HSK vocabulary list, it connects well with HSK Level 3 verbs like 要 (yào) and 找 (zhǎo), which also deal with wants and searching. Focus on using 求 in practical sentences to enhance conversational skills.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of 求 can be seen in many traditional practices, such as seeking blessings at temples or during festivals, where people request good fortune or health from deities.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 求 in contexts where they should use 要, such as saying '我求水' instead of '我要水' to mean 'I want water.' Remember that 求 emphasizes seeking or requesting rather than simply wanting.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 求
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Grammar Patterns of 求
求 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
Demand picked up and a reprint was required last November.
Cultural Notes for 求
💡Did you know?
'求' is often used in Chinese culture in contexts of seeking help or favor. For instance, it is common to hear phrases like '求助' (qiú zhù), meaning 'to seek help'.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of 求 can be seen in many traditional practices, such as seeking blessings at temples or during festivals, where people request good fortune or health from deities.
📜Proverb
There's a saying in Chinese, '有求必应' (yǒu qiú bì yìng), which means 'Those who ask will receive.' This reflects the cultural value of helping others.
Word Family of 求
Compounds21
球qiu2ball
救jiu4variant of 救[jiù]
裘Qiu2fur coat; surname
逑qiu2to unite, to collect; pair, match
俅qiu2ornamental cap
毬
盚
絿
觩
赇qiu2to bribe
銶
鯄
捄
梂
殏
浗
皳
脙
莍
蛷
賕
Words Containing This Character20
要求yāoqiúto request
求qiúto seek
需求xūqiúrequirement
追求zhuīqiúto woo
请求qǐngqiúto request請求
寻求xúnqiúto seek尋求
求婚qiúhūnto propose marriage
求助qiúzhùto request help
征求zhēngqiúto solicit徵求
求救qiújiùto cry for help
祈求to pray for
恳求kěnqiúto beg懇求
供求gōngqiúsupply and demand (economics)
梦寐以求to long for sth day and night夢寐以求
实事求是shíshìqiúshìto seek truth from facts (idiom)實事求是
力求lìqiúto make every effort to
乞求qǐqiúto beg
求职qiúzhíto seek employment求職
谋求móuqiúto seek謀求
强求to insist on強求
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 球 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 求
求 (qiú) and 要 (yào) both relate to asking for something, but they have different nuances. 求 implies a more desperate or earnest request, while 要 simply means 'to want' or 'to need' something. Understanding this distinction can help you choose the right word based on the context.
Yes, 求 (qiú) can be used in both formal and informal contexts. In formal situations, it may be used to make polite requests or in written communication, such as applications or appeals, showing a level of respect in the request.
求 (qiú) means to seek, look for, request, demand, or beseech. It is often used in contexts where someone is asking for something or trying to obtain a desired outcome.
You can use 求 (qiú) in a sentence to express a request. For example, you might say '我求你帮我' (Wǒ qiú nǐ bāng wǒ), which means 'I ask you to help me.' This illustrates its use in expressing a demand or request.
You can say '我想求助你' (Wǒ xiǎng qiúzhù nǐ), meaning 'I want to seek your help.'
求 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but ensure that it carries the right tone depending on the situation.
Yes, 求 is often used when making requests, especially in earnest situations.
