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乞求 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
乞求qǐqiúto begHSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #8337, Very Hard
qǐqiú(qi3qiu2)qi qiu T3
  1. 1to beg
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March 24, 2026

乞求qǐqiú(qi3qiu2)

乞求 (qǐqiú) means to beg or plead for something desperately. It is often used in contexts where someone is asking for help or mercy, highlighting a sense of urgency and emotional appeal. This term conveys a feeling of vulnerability and the need for assistance.

Strokes10Frequency#8337DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, begging is often viewed with a complex lens, as it can be associated with poverty and social issues. The act of begging is sometimes depicted in literature and film as a reflection of one's desperation and societal challenges.

Memory tip

Think of 乞求 as a person on their knees (乞) with their hands clasped together (求), pleading for something they desperately need. The character 乞 resembles a person begging, while 求 emphasizes the act of asking. Imagine someone saying 'please' repeatedly as they beg, which helps you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 乞求

qǐqiú(qi3qiu2)
1to beg
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About 乞求

乞求Simplified
10Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 乞求

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AI study notes for 乞求

Quick Contrast

恳求 (kěnqiú) implies a more respectful or earnest request rather than the desperation associated with 乞求.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 乞求 with other similar verbs like 请求 (qǐngqiú), which means 'to request.' Note that 乞求 has a much more desperate connotation. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with the tone; using it too lightly can come off as insincere.

HSK Study Tips

乞求 is not included in HSK vocabulary lists, but it connects well with other verbs expressing requests or desires, such as 请求 (to request) and 需要 (to need). Students should focus on the emotional weight of this term to understand its proper usage.

Common Mistakes

Learners may mistakenly use 乞求 when a more polite word like 请求 would be appropriate. For example, saying '我乞求你的帮助' (I beg for your help) can sound overly dramatic; instead, '我请求你的帮助' (I request your help) is more suitable.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 乞求

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Component characters

乞qǐto beg
3 strokes乙
View full entry
求qiúto seek
HSK 67 strokes氺
View full entry

How to say to beg in Chinese

“to beg” in Chinese is乞求qǐqiú

乞求 (qǐqiú) means to beg or plead for something desperately. It is often used in contexts where someone is asking for help or mercy, highlighting a sense of urgency and emotional appeal. This term conveys a feeling of vulnerability and the need for assistance.

When to use 乞求

Learners often confuse 乞求 with other similar verbs like 请求 (qǐngqiú), which means 'to request.' Note that 乞求 has a much more desperate connotation. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with the tone; using it too lightly can come off as insincere.

乞求 or something close to it

恳求 (kěnqiú) implies a more respectful or earnest request rather than the desperation associated with 乞求.

What learners get wrong

Learners may mistakenly use 乞求 when a more polite word like 请求 would be appropriate. For example, saying '我乞求你的帮助' (I beg for your help) can sound overly dramatic; instead, '我请求你的帮助' (I request your help) is more suitable.

Write 乞求

乞
求

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Frequently asked questions about 乞求

While it often implies desperation, it can also be used in a more neutral context where someone earnestly asks for help.

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