乞 (qǐ) - to beg & to request

乞Tone 3

qǐ ｜ 3 strokes ｜ radical: 乙

七器

乞 · qǐ

to beg;

to request;

to ask for

to begto requestto ask for

Usage highlights

to begto requestto beg for foodto beg for mercyto beg for forgivenessbeggar

Synonyms

  • 求— to request; to seek
  • 讨— to beg; to demand
  • 请— to request; to ask

Antonyms

  • 施— to give; to bestow
  • 予— to give; to grant
  • 赐— to confer; to bestow

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He begged for food (乞食).
  • I request your help (乞求帮助).
  • The refugees begged for mercy (乞怜).
  • She begged for forgiveness (乞恕).

Collocations

  • to beg(乞讨)
  • to request(乞求)
  • to beg for food(乞食)
  • to beg for mercy(乞怜)
  • to beg for forgiveness(乞恕)
  • beggar(乞丐)

Idioms

  • To beg for food from door to door(乞食度日)
  • To lower oneself to beg(卑躬屈乞)
  • To beg for alms(乞哀告怜)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character depicts a person bending over to beg, showing humility and need.
  • In traditional society, begging was seen as the lowest social status.
  • The character is sometimes used in names to express humility or as part of compound names with positive meanings.

FAQ