HSK · Level 69
75 words
Chinese word
说情
Pronunciation
Pinyinshuō qíng
Meaning
- verbplead
Example
她天天给老师说情，希望能改成绩。tā tiān tiān gěi lǎo shī shuō qíng xī wàng néng gǎi chéng jì
She pleads with the teacher every day, hoping to have the grade changed.
More examples
同事们替她向老板说情，希望她能留下。tóng shì men tì tā xiàng láo bǎn shuō qíng xī wàng tā néng liú xià
Her colleagues pleaded with the boss on her behalf, hoping she could stay.
Core concept
An appeal to someone with power to soften a decision or grant a favor, often on another person's behalf.
Common phrases
给老师说情gěi lǎo shī shuō qíng
plead with the teacher
替他说情tì tā shuō qíng
plead on his behalf
向上级说情xiàng shàng jí shuō qíng
plead with a superior
Similar words
求情qiú qíng: Asking someone in authority to show mercy or make an exception for a person.
说好话shuō hǎo huà: Speaking positively about someone to improve that person's reputation or treatment.
游说yóu shuì: Trying to persuade influential people to support a proposal or advance an interest.
斡旋wò xuán: Acting as a third party to arrange a job, deal, or other agreement.
Definition in Chinese
向有权力或有影响力的人请求通融、宽待或帮忙，常为别人或为自己当面或通过第三方说好话以争取优待或免除处罚。xiàng yǒu quán lì huò yǒu yíng xiǎng lì de rén qǐng qiú tōng róng kuān dài huò bāng máng cháng wèi bié rén huò wèi zì jǐ dāng miàn huò tōng guò dì sān fāng shuō hǎo huà yǐ zhēng qǔ yōu dài huò miǎn chú chǔ fá
Word origin
说 (shuō, "speak") + 情 (qíng, "personal consideration") combines the act of speaking with an appeal for leniency or a favor.
Usage tips
- English speakers often hear "plead" as a formal or emotional appeal, while this everyday verb commonly highlights personal influence used to seek special consideration from a decision-maker.