Japanese word

乞う

Pronunciation

Romajikou

Meaning

  • verbbeg

Example

先生に助けを乞います。sen sei ni tasu ke o ko i ma su

I beg my teacher for help.

Illustration for 乞う (beg)

More examples

専門家に指導を乞います。sen mon ka ni shi dō o ko i ma su

I beg an expert for guidance.

Core concept

Presents a serious appeal directed at another person to obtain something needed or strongly desired.

Common phrases

  • 教えを乞うoshi e o ko u

    ask for instruction

  • 助けを乞うtasu ke o ko u

    beg for help

  • 許しを乞うyuru shi o ko u

    beg for forgiveness

  • 慈悲を乞うji hi o ko u

    beg for mercy

Similar words

頼むtanomu: To ask someone to provide something or do something.
願うnegau: To ask sincerely for something with hope that it will be granted.
懇願するkongansuru: To make an earnest and urgent request for something.
せがむsegamu: To keep asking for something in a persistent way.

Definition in Japanese

他人に物や助けなどを強く願い求める。ta nin ni mono ya tasu ke na do o tsuyo ku nega i moto me ru

Word origin

乞う (kō) is a native Japanese verb whose older written form was 乞ふ (kofu); its modern form reflects the historical change of final fu to u.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 教えを乞う (oshie o kō) uses 乞う (kō) for seeking instruction, a use that gives the verb a formal and respectful tone.

Other meanings

  • ask forverb

Related words

  • 乞いkoipleanoun

Word lists with this word