请

• Pinyin: qǐng
• Hanzi breakdown: 请 = 讠(speech) + 青 (blue/green, phonetic component)

Meaning

Please; to invite; to request. A polite word used when making requests or invitations.

One of the most important polite words in Chinese. Used to soften requests, extend invitations, or treat someone to a meal. Common phrases include 请问 (may I ask), 请坐 (please sit), 请进 (please come in), and 请客 (to treat someone to a meal).

Examples

1. 请你帮我一下。 Please help me for a moment.
2. 我想请你吃饭。 I want to invite you to dinner.
3. 请把门关上。 Please close the door.

Usage Guide

Context: requests, social

Tone: polite

Do Say

• 请帮我开门。(Please help me open the door.)
• 今天我请你吃饭。(I'll treat you to a meal today.)

Don't Say

• 请你给我做！(Using 请 with a demanding tone defeats its purpose — soften with 能不能 or 可以 for big requests)

Origin & History

The character combines 讠(speech radical) and 青 (green/blue, phonetic), suggesting polite speech or a spoken request.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal