恳求

• Pinyin: kěn qiú
• Hanzi breakdown: 恳 = 貇 + 心 (heart); 求 = 水 variant + 丶

Meaning

To implore; to entreat; to beg earnestly. A sincere and desperate plea for something.

Stronger and more emotional than simply asking. Implies the speaker is in a vulnerable position and genuinely needs help. Often used when someone has exhausted other options.

Examples

1. 她恳求父母让她继续读书。 She implored her parents to let her continue her education.
2. 他恳求法官给他一次改过自新的机会。 He begged the judge to give him a chance to turn over a new leaf.
3. 我恳求你再考虑一下这件事。 I implore you to reconsider this matter.

Usage Guide

Context: pleading, desperation, request

Tone: desperate

Do Say

• 我恳求您帮帮忙。(I implore you to help.)
• 他恳求她的原谅。(He begged for her forgiveness.)

Don't Say

• 我恳求你递给我那本书。(Don't use 恳求 for trivial requests — use 请 or 麻烦; 恳求 implies desperation)

Origin & History

Compound of 恳 (sincere/earnest) + 求 (to request/seek). Together means 'to sincerely request.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal