拜托

• Pinyin: bài tuō
• Hanzi breakdown: 拜 = 手 (hand) + 二 (two); 托 = to entrust/hold

Meaning

Please; I beg you; to entrust (someone with something).

Used when asking for a favor or making an earnest request. Can express sincere pleading or, with a different tone, exasperation at someone's behavior. Also used formally to entrust a task to someone.

Examples

1. 拜托你帮我照顾一下我的猫，我出差三天。 Please help me look after my cat — I'm going on a business trip for three days.
2. 拜托，你能不能别再问这个问题了？ Please, can you stop asking that question already?
3. 这件事就拜托各位了，公司全靠大家齐心协力。 I'm counting on all of you for this — the company depends on everyone working together.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, requests

Tone: pleading

Do Say

• 拜托拜托，帮帮忙吧！(Please please, help me out!)
• 这件事拜托你了。(I'm counting on you for this.)

Don't Say

• 对下属用恳求式的'拜托' (Using pleading 拜托 to subordinates can seem odd — use it with equals or superiors)

Origin & History

拜 (to bow/request respectfully) + 托 (to entrust). Respectfully entrusting something to someone.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal