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恳求 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
恳求kěnqiúto begHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #7205, Very Hard
恳求kěnqiúto beseechHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #7205, Very Hard
恳求kěnqiúto entreatHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #7205, Very Hard
恳求kěnqiúentreatyHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #7205, Very Hard
kěnqiú(ken3qiu2)ken qiu T3
  1. 1to beg
  2. 2to beseech
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March 24, 2026

恳求(懇求)kěnqiú(ken3qiu2)

恳求 (kěnqiú) means to earnestly beg or beseech someone for something. It is often used in formal contexts when someone is making a heartfelt request, emphasizing the sincerity of the plea.

Strokes17Frequency#7205DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, making a sincere request can often involve bowing or showing deep respect for the person being asked, reflecting the importance of humility and gratitude in communication.

Memory tip

Imagine a person kneeling down (the 'ken' sounds like 'kneel') with hands clasped together in front of their chest, earnestly pleading for help. The character 恳 (kěn) has the heart radical 心, suggesting that the request comes from the heart, while 求 (qiú) looks like a person reaching out for something.

Meanings of 恳求

kěnqiú(ken3qiu2)
1to beg
2to beseech
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About 恳求

恳求Simplified
懇求Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 恳求

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AI study notes for 恳求

Quick Contrast

恳求 (kěnqiú) vs 请求 (qǐngqiú) — use 恳求 for a more earnest, heartfelt plea, while 请求 is more neutral and can imply a simple request.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 恳求 with simpler words like 请求 (qǐngqiú), which means 'to request' but may lack the emotional intensity. It is typically used in formal writing or speeches, so avoid using it in casual conversations.

HSK Study Tips

This word is not on the HSK list but is valuable for advanced learners. Connect it to other emotional or formal terms like 请求 (qǐngqiú) or 愿望 (yuànwàng) to expand your vocabulary related to requests and desires.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 恳求 with 请求, using it in informal contexts. For example, saying '我恳求你给我借书' (I beg you to lend me a book) is too intense for casual requests; instead, use '我请求你借我一本书'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 恳求

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Component characters

恳kěnearnest
10 strokes心
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恳求kěnqiú

恳求 (kěnqiú) means to earnestly beg or beseech someone for something. It is often used in formal contexts when someone is making a heartfelt request, emphasizing the sincerity of the plea.

When to use 恳求

Be careful not to confuse 恳求 with simpler words like 请求 (qǐngqiú), which means 'to request' but may lack the emotional intensity. It is typically used in formal writing or speeches, so avoid using it in casual conversations.

恳求 or something close to it

恳求 (kěnqiú) vs 请求 (qǐngqiú) — use 恳求 for a more earnest, heartfelt plea, while 请求 is more neutral and can imply a simple request.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 恳求 with 请求, using it in informal contexts. For example, saying '我恳求你给我借书' (I beg you to lend me a book) is too intense for casual requests; instead, use '我请求你借我一本书'.

Write 恳求

恳
求

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Frequently asked questions about 恳求

Use 恳求 when you want to express a deep, heartfelt request, especially in formal situations, while other verbs may be more suitable for casual asks.

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